What Are the Best Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers? (ANSWERED)

best dog chew for aggressive chewers
I have good luck with two products: split elk or deer antlers, which have bone marrow in them, and Icelandic lamb horns, which are pictured above. The antlers are fantastic for aggressive chewers.

When I first got my German Shepherd puppy, he would rip and tear apart heavy duty puppy toys. Toys labelled “tough” or “durable” did not live up to the moniker. I was stumped about finding best dog toys for aggressive chewers and power chewers. I did do research, and I bought quite a few toys. Here are my reviews and recommendations.

Find the best indestructible dog toys on Amazon.

At first, I bought rawhide, which I learned was not that good for dogs. It lasted minutes, not hours. I also bought plastic bones at the pet store. Those were not the answer either. He would eat the pieces, which I did not want.

I left pet stores without making a purchase and decided to do some research on my own. Here I’ll share with you what I’ve learned, some tips on how to buy the best chew toy for your dog, along with my recommendations and reviews of my favorite dog bones for power chewers.

Best durable dog toy for heavy chewers: Elk antlers

The Antler Box Premium Elk Antler Dog Chews (1 Pound Box) (X-Large (2 Pieces) Split Only)
  • GIVE YOUR DOG A HEALTHY, ALL NATURAL ORGANIC CHEW TOY; Our elk antler chews are full of calcium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc and glucosamine to nurture your dog the way nature intended; No steroids, antibiotics, growth hormones or preservatives of any kind; As natural as it gets!
  • RICH IN NUTRIENTS: Antler Box organic dog chews are rich in essential nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals that contribute to your dog's overall health; These nutrients support strong bones and teeth, making the chews a great addition to your dog's diet
  • GIVE YOUR DOG HEALTHIER TEETH AND GUMS; The Antler Box antlers are a natural way to care for your dog’s teeth and gum; Our antler chews are also mess free in that they won’t stain your expensive rug and/or furniture

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I bought an elk antler at a botique pet store. My dog chewed that bone for more than 6 months. It took that long for him to get all the bone marrow out of it. It was the best dog chew.

During that time, I would coat spread a thin layer of dog food or peanut butter on the bone. He would go bonkers for it.

Although the bone was expensive, it was worth it. I have found similar products on Amazon for a better price.

Second best tough dog toy: Icelandic lamb horns

Icelandic+ Large Lamb Horn Dog Chew
  • 100% edible - made of keratin, not a bone!
  • Long lasting providing long hours of chewing enjoyment.
  • Small fibers in horn brush dog's teeth, reducing tarter & plaque build-up.
  • Large Lamb Horns are a single ingredient and come in a variety of natural colors for large dogs 30-99 lbs.
  • 100% Viking - Air-dried as the Vikings did in 900 A.D.

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My GSD likes these Icelandic lamb horns. They are all natural and made from keratin, which is digestible.

These are a fantastic substitute for rawhide bones. My dog takes a good two to three weeks before he has the bone down to a level that makes me nervous.

When the horn gets too small, I take it away.

Compare the horn to a rawhide bone, which would last my dog less than an hour.

Are there squeaky dog toys for aggressive chewers?

I have tried plush toys. Most get ripped apart. TUFFY and MIGHTY brand toys last longer than the rest.

Keep in mind this: They are not an indestructible dog toy.

That said, the MIGHTY ball has been around the house for at least six months.

Mighty Ball Large Orange
  • Extreme durability from multiple layers of material
  • Sewn multiple times – Critical seams have additional webbing sewn to cover the seams and increase strength
  • Soft, flexible material with no hard edges
  • Floats in water and machine washable (air dry)
  • Mighty toys are designed for interactive play and are not chew toys

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The ball’s outer soft casing lasted about a week. My GSD chewed the cover off, but the inner portion is still good. The cover is designed to be ripped off by a power chewer.

The ball still squeaks and is still usable, with its rubber / plastic exterior now that the fabric has been removed.

Another good stuffed toy for a heavy chewer is the TUFFY Barnyard Rabbit or Shark.

TUFFY - World's Tuffest Soft Dog Toy - Barnyard White Rabbit - Squeakers - Multiple Layers. Made Durable, Strong & Tough. Interactive Play (Tug, Toss & Fetch). Machine Washable & Floats
  • "World’s Tuffest Soft Dog Toy" on the market, with up to 4 layers of fabric!
  • Floats in water and machine washable (air dry)
  • TUFFY toys are designed for interactive play and are not chew toys
  • Rated 9 on the TuffScale

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The rabbit held up for three weeks or so. This stuffed toy is not designed to be chewed; however, it is a durable dog toy and is tough.

My dog ripped the legs and arms off after a couple weeks, which was mostly fine. The arms and legs don’t have stuffing.

Once my dog got into the stuffing, it was game over. The toy was done.

Guide to buying a chew toy for your dog

Consider the breed

Just as humans have different tastes and needs, so do dogs!

Consider the breed of your dog. Some breeds have a tendency to destroy things. Your pup might be what’s known as a “power-chewer.” Chew toys for big dogs like German Shepherds and Great Danes need to be durable and mostly indestructible.

You’ll want to look at long-lasting toys and chew toys that won’t be easily destroyed. When you shop for a chew toy, look for key words like “tough” and “resistant” as those will give you clues about ones that might last longer.

If your pup is a curious and intelligent breed like a GSD, Belgian Malinois, border collie (for example), then you’ll want to put some extra thought into your choice.

My dog is destructive. I would buy him a new soft, plush chew toy only for him to destroy it or get tired of it after a couple hours.

Not a great investment on my part. I started to watch the kinds of toys he was interested in and more importantly, what kind of mischief he got into.

My dog seemed to enjoy solving things, chasing things, and biting. Example: I bought a rubber treat ball, which he rolls around to get his dog food out of, and a Ultra Chuck It ball, which he can chew.

I would suggest observing your pet carefully and telling this to a a pet store associate the next time you go shopping.

The boutique pet store associate was able to point me to a puzzle chew toy that my dog could chew and try to figure out! That was a win for me. She also pointed me to elk antlers, along with a lamb horn, which I mentioned above.

How much to spend puppy toys?

The other important thing to consider when buying chew toy is the investment aspect. Is this a toy that will last a long time? Will my dog like this next week?

I would recommend trying a handful of cheaper chew toys for your dog until you’re more sure of that they like.

I found that I would buy really expensive dog toys, thinking that they would be a better option, only for them to end up in my “toy pile” in the corner where I put my pups’s discarded toys.

There are lots of natural chew toys for your dog as well. I found that these options (bones and antlers) usually would last for a while and provided a safer option in case my dog consumed any of it.

If the chew toy is easily destroyed, your pup might end up eating some of it so it’s important to consider the material as some options are safer than others.

Now what?

For new pet owners, I say take your time a bit so that you can buy the best toy for your pup and make the best financial investment for yourself. Good luck and happy shopping!

Find the best dog toys for aggressive chewers on Amazon.

Originally posted 2022-04-25 18:12:25.