There’s nothing that keeps my dogs more content than a toy they can chew, gnaw and chew some more. My two dogs are very powerful chewers, so the standard plush or vinyl dog toy won’t last in this household for more than 30 seconds. After going through many dog toys, I have found the following toys to be the most durable, long lasting chew toys to keep my dogs content.
Natural Bones
Real bones from cows are extremely durable and come in a variety of shapes and sizes at your local pet store. I prefer to give my dogs cow bones, over pig bones, because I have found pig bones shatter and splinter easily.
You can find cow bones that are perfectly washed and clean, so they won’t stain your carpet.
There are also beef basted varieties that are brown in color, and need to be considered an outside treat until the basting has worn off so you don’t get brown stains on your carpet.
You can also find bones with cheese and peanut butter flavored fillings.
Natural bones are my favorite dog chew toy because they last a long time, and dogs seem to keep going back to them even after the initial flavor basting has worn off. For a few dollars, they are durable, long lasting and keep your dog content.
Kong
Kong makes a large selection of heavy duty durable rubber chew toys. From the classic cone shaped red Kong that you can fill with hard treats or a meaty cheese whiz style filling, to durable frisbees, these toys will stand up to your dog’s powerful chewing.
Does your dog like to lay and chew on a ball? Kong makes a variety of sizes of durable balls that can be used for playing catch, or for chewing. The Kong Biscuit Ball has bone shaped holes cut into it so you can entice your chewer to work at retrieving the treats inside the ball.
Does your dog prefer for you to interact with him while chewing? Try the Kong on a rope for a tug and chew game. Since it floats, it can also be used during water activities with your dog.
Nylabones
Nylabone makes durable and edible varieties of their bones. Although my dogs love the edible version, for longevity and durability I prefer to purchase the durable bones.
The durable bones come in a range of meaty flavors. From chicken, to liver and beef there is surely a flavor that your dog will enjoy chewing.
Despite being called a bone, the durable Nylabones come in a variety of shapes. In addition to the classic bone shape, you can find dinosaurs, knuckles, rings, frisbees and even puppy teething rings and keys.
Since some dogs are only chewers during the puppy stage, Nylabone makes special durable bones designed for puppy teething. These bones are a little softer than the adult bones, which flex for the teething movements of fragile puppy teeth.
