Best Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers: Safe Choices and 3 Picks

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This page is for owners of dogs that shred plush toys in minutes and crack plastic ones in a day. It explains what makes a toy suitable for a power chewer, why harder is not always better for teeth, how to pick the right size, and which non-edible chew toys from our catalog fit which kind of chewer.

The short answer: for most aggressive chewers, start with a thick natural rubber toy such as the KONG Extreme or the GoughNuts Ring, sized up rather than down, and offered under supervision. Rubber has some give, which veterinary dentists prefer. Hard nylon chews like the Benebone Wishbone last a long time but carry a higher risk of broken teeth, so they are not for every dog.

How we chose: picks are based on brand specs, the product pages of the brands that make them and what named reviewers and veterinary sources say. We have not tested these toys ourselves. No toy is truly indestructible.

What makes a toy right for an aggressive chewer

Dogs bite hard: the AKC puts jaw pressure at roughly 150 to 450 pounds per square inch. A good toy for a power chewer has to survive that without breaking into pieces that can be swallowed, and without being so hard that the tooth gives way first.

Some give beats rock hard

Fractured teeth from chewing are common, especially the large upper cheek teeth. A veterinary dentist at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine gives a simple test: you should be able to dent a chew item with your fingernail. Cornell names toys from Kong and Goughnuts as good options and advises avoiding antlers, hooves and bones, which can break teeth or splinter. Board-certified veterinary dentists writing in dvm360 also list nylon bones among the hard chew objects to avoid. The AKC says chew toys with some flexibility are generally recommended.

Size up

A toy that is too small can be swallowed or lodged in the throat. The AKC says toys for big dogs must be large enough that they cannot choke on them, and that heavy chewers need toys that will not break into small pieces. KONG suggests power chewers go up one or two sizes, and GoughNuts says a toy should be wider than your dog’s mouth.

Thick natural rubber holds up best

Solid or thick-walled natural rubber flexes under the teeth instead of cracking. Look for brand ratings that name power or aggressive chewers specifically. Many tough-looking toys, including some rubber and plush “tough” lines, are rated for moderate chewers only.

Watch for wear

Every chew toy wears out. Check it before each session and take it away once chunks are missing, edges are sharp or it is small enough to swallow. GoughNuts builds a red layer into its rings for exactly this reason.

Our picks for aggressive chewers

KONG Extreme Dog Toy, Large

The easy first choice. It is KONG’s toughest rubber, a black formula the brand makes for power chewers, with a hollow center you can stuff and freeze and an unpredictable bounce for fetch (KONG). The Large is listed for dogs 30 to 65 lb, and KONG suggests power chewers size up. Inverse put it first among toys for aggressive chewers, calling the rubber flexible and bouncy yet very hard to chew through. Rubber with give is also what Cornell’s vet dentist recommends.

GoughNuts Original Green Ring, Medium

A thick natural rubber ring with carbon reinforcement and a red inner safety layer: when red shows, the toy comes away (GoughNuts). The Medium is 5 inches across for dogs 30 to 70 lb, it floats and bounces, and the brand offers a lifetime guarantee. Vetstreet listed it among its top toys for aggressive chewers, and Cornell names Goughnuts as a good option. GoughNuts says its rings are for supervised power chewing.

Benebone Wishbone Dog Chew Toy, Large

A flavored nylon chew toy, not food: the curved shape lifts one end off the floor so a dog can hold it between its paws (Benebone). Vetstreet included it in its list for aggressive chewers. It is the hardest pick here, and Benebone itself says tooth injury is an unavoidable risk with chews of this hardness. It may suit a dog that destroys rubber toys, but it fails the fingernail test, so ask your vet first, choose the largest size your dog can handle and replace it once more than a sugar cube’s worth is chewed away. Benebone notes it is made in a facility that processes nuts.

Not for power chewers: KONG Classic

The red KONG Classic is rated by KONG for average chewers. It is a good toy for many dogs, but if your dog destroys toys, choose the Extreme instead.

How to keep chew time safe

• Supervise, at least until you know how your dog treats a new toy, and pick it up afterward.
• Rotate toys so no single one takes all the wear, and to keep them interesting.
• Stuff rubber toys with part of your dog’s regular food to slow down a determined chewer. For edible chews and treats, see our sister site In The Kibble.
• Watch the teeth. A broken tooth, bleeding gums, drooling or chewing on one side are reasons to see your vet.
• Give exercise too. Destructive chewing often eases when a dog gets enough walks and play.

Mistakes to avoid

• Buying by the word “indestructible” instead of the brand’s chewer rating and size chart.
• Choosing a toy that is too small, or keeping one that has worn down to swallowable size.
• Giving antlers, hooves, bones or other items you cannot dent with a fingernail.
• Leaving a power chewer alone with a toy it has never had before.
• Letting a dog swallow pieces. If your dog swallows a chunk of toy, call your vet.

FAQ

What toys can aggressive chewers not destroy?

None are truly indestructible. Thick natural rubber toys made for power chewers, such as the KONG Extreme and GoughNuts rings, hold up longest for most dogs. Check them often and replace them when they wear.

Are Nylabones and other nylon chews safe for aggressive chewers?

Hard nylon chews last a long time, but veterinary dentists list nylon bones among chews that can fracture teeth. If you cannot dent it with a fingernail, Cornell’s vet dentist says it may be too hard. Ask your vet before using one.

What chew toys do vets recommend for power chewers?

Toys with some give. Cornell’s veterinary dentistry service names toys from Kong and Goughnuts as good options and advises avoiding antlers, hooves and bones.

Why does my dog destroy every toy?

Chewing is normal, and some dogs, especially young and high-energy ones, chew harder than others. Boredom and too little exercise make it worse. Offer durable toys, more exercise and interactive play.

What size toy should I get for a power chewer?

Go by the brand’s weight chart, then consider sizing up. KONG suggests one or two sizes up for power chewers, and a toy should be wider than your dog’s mouth so it cannot be swallowed.

Are antlers or bones good for aggressive chewers?

Veterinary dentists advise against them: antlers, hooves and bones are hard enough to break teeth, and bones can splinter.

For puzzle toys, fetch toys, cat toys and more, read our dog and cat toys buying guide, or see all toys.