PlayfulPets

Toys for dogs who destroy everything

Updated Sep 29, 20266 vet and ASPCA sources6 picks, never ranked by commission

The short answer

If the damage only happens when you're out, talk to your vet first. A tougher toy won't fix separation anxiety.[1]

If your dog turns a new toy into confetti before you've thrown away the packaging, you're not alone, and you're not doing anything wrong. Chewing is normal dog behavior. The goal isn't to stop it; it's to give it somewhere safe and satisfying to go.

This guide starts with why your dog destroys things, because the reason changes which toy will actually help. Then it covers what to look for, the safety rules vets agree on, and a short shelf of picks we've chosen for real destroyers.

Picks follow how we pick. We may earn a commission from links (disclosure).

First, why is your dog destroying things?

The ASPCA lists several common reasons dogs chew destructively. A toy is the right answer for some of them and only part of the answer for others.[1]

  • Teething. For young dogs, chewing relieves the pain of incoming teeth.[1]
  • Boredom. Bored dogs look for ways to entertain themselves, and chewing is one option. This is where the right toy helps most.[1]
  • Hunger. A dog on a calorie-restricted diet may chew objects looking for extra food.[1]
  • Separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety usually chew only, or most intensely, when left alone.[1]

What to look for in a toy for a destroyer

  • The right size. Too big to swallow or fit whole in the mouth, but not so big your dog can't chew it comfortably. Match the size to your dog and to how they chew, not just their weight class on the label.[6],[2]
  • Tough, but not rock hard. A chew toy should bend slightly, and you should be able to dent it with your thumbnail. Anything harder risks broken teeth.[3],[4]
  • Nothing inside to pull out. Squeakers can be swallowed and stuffing can cause a gut obstruction, so for dedicated shredders, solid one-piece toys beat plush toys with squeakers.[6]
  • Rope and fabric for supervised play only. Rope toys often get shredded, and the strands can be swallowed or stuck in teeth. Use them for tug with you, then put them away.[6]
  • A job, not just a surface. Toys you can stuff with food or that dispense treats turn chewing into problem-solving, which is what a bored dog is really after.
  • Variety you can rotate. Keep a few appropriate chew toys and rotate them every couple of days so none of them gets boring.[1]

Safety rules that matter more than any label

No toy is truly indestructible. Even the toughest toys break down with enough pressure, which is why the habits below matter as much as the toy you buy.[6]

  • Skip the hardest chews. Bones, antlers, hooves, sticks, rocks, and other very hard chews can fracture teeth. Don't let dogs crunch ice cubes either.[3],[4]
  • Never give cooked bones. Cooked bones can splinter and seriously injure your dog.[1]
  • Watch, especially at first. Actively watch your dog with a new chew. Giving one or two toys at a time, instead of a whole basket, makes it easier to notice missing pieces.[2],[6]
  • Check toys and retire worn ones. Inspect toys regularly and throw chews away before they're worn down small enough to swallow.[6],[2]
  • Don't hand over old household items. Giving an old shoe or cushion teaches your dog that shoes and cushions are chew toys.[1]

Our picks

Each pick below meets our curation standard: it passes the size and thumbnail tests, has no loose parts for a destroyer to pull out, and comes with an honest drawback. We don't rank by commission.

Photo at Chewy

1 · Everyday pick: a stuffable rubber chew toy

KONG Extreme Dog Toy

Why we picked it. The toughest rubber in KONG's classic line, hollow so you can stuff it with food or freeze it, and sold in five sizes up to 6 inches for dogs over 85 lb. Cornell's canine health center names KONG toys among its suggested chews.

Safety note

Pick by your dog's weight and size up if they're between sizes, as KONG advises. Freeze fillings for a longer job, and take it away if the rubber starts to split.

Honest drawback. Recent reviews report bottoms splitting sooner than older versions did, and a determined power chewer can still wreck one in weeks.

View at Chewy
Photo at Chewy

2 · For chewers who also fetch: a solid rubber ball

West Paw Zogoflex Jive Tough Ball Dog Toy

Why we picked it. A solid ball with no squeaker or fuzz, made from West Paw's flexible Zogoflex material. It floats, fits standard ball throwers, and goes in the top rack of the dishwasher.

Safety note

The largest size is 3.25 inches, which can be too small for giant breeds, so check it against your dog's mouth. Retire it once chunks come off.

Honest drawback. Its grooves make it bounce unpredictably, which is fun outside and chaotic indoors. Some owners of the strongest chewers say it doesn't hold up for them.

View at Chewy
Photo at Chewy

3 · For the bored destroyer: a treat-dispensing puzzle

West Paw Zogoflex Toppl Treat Dispensing Dog Toy

Why we picked it. A flexible treat puzzle with inner prongs that hold food. You raise the difficulty by freezing the filling or locking two sizes together, and a side vent stops it suctioning to a tongue.

Safety note

Use it as a supervised feeding toy, not an all-day chew, and pick the size that can't fit whole in your dog's mouth.

Honest drawback. It holds less than similar toys, and reviewers say it's not the best fit for the most aggressive chewers.

View at Chewy
Photo at Chewy

4 · For dedicated chewers: a flexible chew toy

West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Tough Dog Chew Toy

Why we picked it. A bone-shaped chew in bendy Zogoflex that stretches without losing shape, so it gives under teeth instead of fighting them. Three sizes, top-rack dishwasher safe.

Safety note

Try the thumbnail test when it arrives, supervise the first sessions, and throw it out once pieces start tearing off.

Honest drawback. Reviewers say the indented logo is where tearing starts, and heavy chewers can still get through one quickly.

View at Chewy
Photo at Chewy

5 · For play with you: a durable tug toy

West Paw Zogoflex Bumi Tug Toy

Why we picked it. An S-shaped tug that stretches to about twice its length, made of solid Zogoflex rather than rope, so there are no strands to swallow. It also floats for fetch.

Safety note

It's a play-with-you toy: tug, then put it away. Don't leave it with a destroyer unsupervised.

Honest drawback. It's meant for tug and fetch, not constant chewing, and power chewers can crack it over time.

View at Chewy
Photo at Chewy

6 · Edible option: a VOHC-accepted dental chew

GREENIES Original Dental Dog Treats

Why we picked it. Canine GREENIES are on the Veterinary Oral Health Council's accepted list for plaque and tartar. They come in sizes from Teenie (5 to 15 lb) to Large (50 to 100 lb).

Safety note

Match the size to your dog's weight, give one a day with water available, and watch that it's chewed rather than gulped. The maker says they're not for dogs under 5 lb or younger than 6 months.

Honest drawback. It's a treat, not a toy: a Regular chew adds about 90 calories, it's gone in minutes, and a few reviewers report reactions.

View at Chewy

Sources

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet about your own dog.

  1. ASPCA, Destructive Chewing
  2. ASPCA, Position Statement on Dog Chews/Treats
  3. American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), Don't Chew On This!
  4. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center, Risks from a fractured tooth
  5. Veterinary Oral Health Council, VOHC Accepted Products for Dogs
  6. Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Hidden Hazards: A Guide to the Potential Dangers of Pet Toys