Dog Chew Toys

Most dogs like to chew on things, some more than others. Generally a great way to keep your dog from destroying your couch, shoes, yard and everything else is to give him some toys of his own.

Dogs' wild cousins, wolves, need strong teeth to be able to catch prey and defend themselves from enemies. Wolves don't have the benefit of canned food or kibbles, and have a lot more work to do when they eat. Also, wolves can never be sure of their next meal, so gnawing on bones is a responsible way to use all available resources. Although your pet doesn't need to do these things anymore, some of his instincts are the same as a wolf's. Dogs chew things because that's what they do -- they're dogs.

Giving your dog a bone to chew on may seem like a good idea at first, especially since dogs seem to like them so much, but it's not always safe. Bits of bone may break off and become lodged in your pet's digestive system. Dog chew toys are often a safer bet. However, not all chew toys are created equal. Toys made of rawhide, although enjoyed by the dog, are almost always a bad idea. Although rawhide does not look very appetizing to you, your dog probably sees it as a different variety of meat. But rawhide doesn't digest easily. Also, more rarely, rawhide could cause an allergic reaction. Synthetic materials are unlikely to trigger canine food allergies.

A popular company, Nylabone, has a line of dog chew toys that are supposed to be safe for dogs to chew and clean their teeth as a benefit. However, there have been a few cases of dogs being able to break off large pieces of the rubberized toy and choke on them.

How do you know what is safe for your dog to chew on and what is not? No chew toy is safe for every dog. Most that are made of hard rubber are fine, but you should still supervise your dog to see how he chews. If he breaks off big pieces, or swallows large amounts of the toy, take it away.

Sometimes, destructive chewing can be a dog's way of asserting his authority over you. Surprisingly, leash training a puppy can often have a huge effect on whether he becomes a problematic chewer.

My Favorite Toy Recommendations

The Kong

You were told that the Kong is the best toy for your dog. Gives your dog mental stimulation, keeps them busy, and they love them! Now you have one at home and have no idea how to stuff it, I am here to help!

Tug of-war toys


Different size toys for different size dogs. This toy is great for interactive play with one or multiple dogs.