The 11 Best Dog Toys for Tough Chewers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

A dog in the grass playing with an Otterly Pets Puppy Rope — Photo:
People / Kate Rousu

As a pet parent, buying new dog supplies and toys for our furry friends is fun, but if your dog is an aggressive chewer, you may find yourself replacing their toys more frequently than you’d like. Some dogs love chewing so much that they quickly rip apart regular dog toys, and if this sounds familiar, it might be time to upgrade to some heavy-duty toys that can withstand their tough play style.

What should you look for if your dog is prone to destroying toys? Our experts explained that the right material is key. “In general, the toys that I recommend are either the hard rubber toys, sort of like nylon, or hard plastic-type toys,” says veterinarian Dr. Amy Fox, DVM. “Those tend to be hard enough that dogs can't just break them into dangerous-size pieces and chew them up, but they're also soft enough that it's not gonna do damage to their teeth.”

To find the best dog toys for tough chewers, we tested 25 popular products, enlisting the help of several adorable pups of all sizes, and we scored each toy on its ease of use, durability, and how much the dogs liked it.

Here are the best dog toys for tough chewers that PEOPLE (and our dogs) tested.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Chew King Durable Fetch Balls at Amazon $19

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

KONG Classic Dog Toy at Amazon $12

Jump to Review

Best Bone:

Playology Dual Layer Bone Dog Toy at Amazon $20

Jump to Review

Best for Dispensing Treats:

SodaPup Dog Treat Dispenser & Chew Toy at Amazon $25

Jump to Review

Best Plush:

SALE

goDog Plush Dog Toy with Chew Guard at Amazon ~~$16~~ $12

Jump to Review

Best for Puppies:

Playology Puppy Bounce Ball Dog Toys at Amazon $17

Jump to Review

Best for Tug-of-War:

BiteKing Natural Rubber Dog Toys at Amazon $26

Jump to Review

Best Rope:

Otterly Pets Puppy Dog Pet Rope Toys at Amazon $15

Jump to Review

Best Heavy-Duty:

Goughnuts Maxx Heavy Duty Tug Dog Toy at Amazon $40

Jump to Review

Best for Small Dogs:

KONG Tires Dog Toy at Amazon $11

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Chew King Durable Fetch Balls

Amazon Chew King Fetch Balls Extremely Durable Dog Toy Balls

PHOTO: Amazon

$18 at Amazon $15 at Walmart $16 at Tractor Supply Co.

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

5/5
Engagement

5/5
Durability

5/5

Star Qualities

Looked as good as new after several weeks
Rubber can be easily cleaned

Red Flags

Balls are fairly heavy, so you may not want to use them indoors

Whether your dog likes chewing on toys or playing fetch (or both!), these rubber balls will hold up to even the toughest play styles. We were extremely impressed with their durability — they barely had any marks on them after several weeks of use — and our dogs loved chasing them around the yard and chewing on the rubbery material. The balls are fairly heavy, so you may want to only play fetch with them outside.

Despite being subjected to heavy gnawing, no pieces ever broke off the balls, and we love that they come in several sizes for different dog breeds. Plus, when the balls were feeling a little slimy, we were able to wash them off with water and they were like new again.

Type: Treat dispenser | Material: Rubber | Suitable For: Dogs of all ages

PHOTO: People / Courtney Thompson
PHOTO: People / Courtney Thompson

Best Budget

KONG Classic Dog Toy

PHOTO: Amazon

$12 at Amazon $16 at Walmart $12 at Chewy

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

4.5/5
Engagement

5/5
Durability

4.5/5

Star Qualities

Barely showed any signs of wear after several weeks of use
Keeps dogs engaged as they work to get treats out
Bounces irregularly when thrown, making for a more interesting game of fetch

Red Flags

Tricky to clean interior

Kong toys are beloved among many dog owners and trainers, and for tough chewers, the brand has its Kong Extreme, which is made from an extra-durable rubber. These toys have a snowman-like shape that’s hollow inside, and we found that putting a few treats in the toy kept dogs entertained for longer, as they had to work to get the food out.

These inexpensive toys come in several sizes to suit different breeds, and despite being chewed on regularly, the Kong Extreme didn’t show any signs of wear after several weeks of testing. Just be aware that you’ll likely have to clean out the toy from time to time, especially if you put peanut butter inside it, and you may need a special brush to get inside the small holes.

Type: Treat dispenser | Material: Rubber | Suitable For: Adult dogs

Best Bone

Playology Dual Layer Bone Dog Toy

PHOTO: Amazon

$20 at Amazon $20 at Walmart $20 at Walmart

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

5/5
Engagement

5/5
Durability

5/5

Star Qualities

Appealing scent for dogs
Rubber is dense and held up well
Size and shape make it easy for dogs to pick up

Red Flags

On the heavier side

Your dog will be able to chew for hours with this durable rubber bone. It comes in a variety of dog-approved scents, and we found that pups were more eager than usual to sink their teeth into it. The bone-shaped chew toy held up extremely well throughout testing. When it gets dirty or slobbery, you can rinse the toy off in water, and it’s also available in a smaller size for dogs under 35 pounds. The bone-shaped design also made it easy for our dogs to pick it up and carry it around, which they loved.

Type: Chew toy | Material: Rubber | Suitable For: Adult dogs 35+ pounds

PHOTO: People / Sierra Estevez
PHOTO: People / Sierra Estevez
PHOTO: People / Sierra Estevez

Best for Dispensing Treats

SodaPup Dog Treat Dispenser & Chew Toy

SodaPup Durable Dog Treat Dispenser & Chew Toy

PHOTO: Amazon

$25 at Amazon $14 at Walmart $16 at Chewy

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

5/5
Engagement

5/5
Durability

5/5

Star Qualities

Kept dogs entertained as they worked to get treats out
Can also be used for playing fetch indoors
Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning

Red Flags

Not as engaging when there aren’t treats inside

If you need to keep your pup busy while you hop on a Zoom call, this coffee-shaped treat dispenser is the way to go. It’s made from thick rubber that dogs can’t rip up, and you can put all sorts of treats inside to engage your dog. Little tabs around the opening make it more challenging to get the food out, and the dispenser held up wonderfully during testing. Plus, we love that you can put the toy straight into the dishwasher if it gets sticky or dirty, and it comes out looking as good as new.

Type: Treat dispenser | Material: Rubber | Suitable For: Dogs up to 60 pounds

PHOTO: People / Rachel Marek
PHOTO: People / Rachel Marek
PHOTO: People / Rachel Marek

Best Plush

goDog Plush Dog Toy with Chew Guard

PHOTO: Amazon

$12 at Amazon $20 at Walmart $12 at PETCO

Star Qualities

Toy is still in great shape after a month of regular chewing
Features a chew-resistant lining for even more durability
Brand offers a one-time replacement within 30 days of purchase if toy doesn't last
There's no stuffing inside to rip out

Red Flags

Can be difficult to find the squeaker

You may think there’s no such thing as an indestructible plush, but we may have found one in this goDog Dino Frills toy. Our tester’s 40-pound pit bull mix, who’s an aggressive chewer, has been regularly gnawing on this dinosaur for almost a month and has yet to rip open a seam or pull out the squeaker.

Reinforced seams and a chew-resistant lining make this dino more durable than other plush toys out there. The textured bubble plush is perfect for cuddling, while the under-stuffed body makes it easy to toss around during play. The brand even offers a durability guarantee — if the toy doesn’t make it 30 days, you can fill out a form to receive a one-time replacement.

Type: Squeaky plush | Material: Polyester | Suitable For: Dogs of all ages

Dog chewing on plush dog toy — People/Kayla Kitts

Best for Puppies

Playology Puppy Bounce Ball Dog Toys

PHOTO: Amazon

$16 at Amazon View on PETCO $17 at Chewy

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

5/5
Engagement

4.5/5
Durability

5/5

Star Qualities

Unique shape makes it easier for puppies to hold
Ball bounces irregularly, keeping puppies engaged
Easy to clean with water

Red Flags

Puppies may not be able to squeak the ball themselves

You can keep young dogs entertained with this uniquely shaped rubber ball. It has a three-lobed design that makes it bounce unpredictably when thrown, and we found that the shape makes it easier for puppies to hold the ball in place with their paws to chew. There were only a few faint teeth marks on the ball after testing, and it quickly became a favorite toy among our canine testers. Plus, any slime and dirt washes away easily with water, making it suitable for outdoor play.

Type: Ball | Material: Rubber | Suitable For: Puppies 4-8 months

PHOTO: People / James Hodgson
PHOTO: People / James Hodgson
PHOTO: People / James Hodgson

Best for Tug-of-War

BiteKing Natural Rubber Dog Toys

PHOTO: Amazon

$24 at Amazon

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

5/5
Engagement

5/5
Durability

5/5

Star Qualities

Large handles are comfortable for both dogs and humans to grab
Material is dense and doesn’t rip under pressure

Red Flags

Treat holder is very large, so most treats fall out

This toy will let you and your dog go head-to-head in an intense match of tug-of-war. It’s designed specifically for tugging, and we found that its large handles are ideal for both dogs and people to grip. The textured surface also helps to prevent it from slipping out of your hand. (Because when you have a strong dog, you need all the advantages you can get!)

The rubber construction of this toy is very dense, and we never worried about it ripping, yet it was still surprisingly flexible. There was a treat dispenser at the center of the toy, but it was too large for most treats, so we didn’t use it often.

Type: Tug toy | Material: Rubber | Suitable For: Medium to large dogs

PHOTO: People / Michael Vlaho
PHOTO: People / Michael Vlaho

Best Rope

Otterly Pets Puppy Dog Pet Rope Toys

PHOTO: Amazon

$15 at Amazon

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

5/5
Engagement

5/5
Durability

4/5

Star Qualities

Very engaging for dogs
Includes different shaped toys for various play styles
Ropes are made of 100 percent cotton fibers that can be washed

Red Flags

One toy begin to fray around the edges
Not big enough for large-breed dogs

You can play tug-of-war, fetch, and more with this four-pack of rope toys. Designed for small and medium-sized dogs, the toys are made from 100 percent cotton, and they’re tightly knotted at the ends to minimize fraying. The ropes can also be washed to keep them grime-free. We love that the set comes with different toy shapes — the handled toys were ideal for games of tug, and the knotted ball was ideal for fetch.

Like most rope toys, we don’t think this set will last forever. The toy that got played with the most was starting to show signs of fraying after a few weeks, so you’ll want to supervise your dog when they play with these toys and throw them away if the strings start coming loose.

Type: Rope | Material: Cotton | Suitable For: Small to medium dogs

PHOTO: People / Kate Rousu
PHOTO: People / Kate Rousu
PHOTO: People / Kate Rousu

Best Heavy-Duty

Goughnuts Maxx Heavy Duty Tug Dog Toy

PHOTO: Amazon

$40 at Amazon

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

5/5
Engagement

4/5
Durability

4.5/5

Star Qualities

Shape makes it easy to play tug-of-war
During testing, we felt confident that dogs couldn’t rip pieces off the toy
Comes with a lifetime guarantee

Red Flags

Most expensive toy we tested
Rubber is quite heavy, so it may not be as usable for small breeds

If your dog likes playing tug-of-war with you, this product definitely deserves a spot in their toy box. It’s made from heavy-duty rubber and shaped like a figure eight, providing areas for both you and your dog to grip. You won’t have to worry about your pup accidentally nipping your fingers as you play, and we found that the material is extremely durable — it looked just as good as the day we got it after several weeks of testing.

While it is notably more expensive than many other dog toys, we felt confident that the dogs wouldn’t be able to rip pieces off it. Plus, if your dog ever does destroy it, the brand offers a lifetime guarantee and will send you a replacement.

Type: Tug toy | Material: Rubber | Suitable For: Dogs up to 100 pounds

PHOTO: People / Ciara McCune
PHOTO: People / Ciara McCune
PHOTO: People / Ciara McCune

Best for Small Dogs

KONG Tires Dog Toy

PHOTO: Amazon

$11 at Amazon $16 at Walmart $11 at Chewy

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

5/5
Engagement

4/5
Durability

5/5

Star Qualities

Rubber didn’t rip or puncture during testing
Inside groove makes it easy to hide treats
Rubber is durable yet soft for chewing

Red Flags

Not as enticing for dogs without treats inside
Even the larger size may be too small for large dog breeds

These heavy-duty rubber toys are another great treat-dispensing option for tough chewers. There’s a groove around the interior of the tire where you can hide treats, and we found that pups loved working to get the food out. Plus, the durable rubber material didn’t rip or puncture, even with a large American Staffordshire Terrier gnawing on it! The rubber was also soft so dogs enjoyed chewing on it.

We think this toy is best for smaller breeds, as the large size is only around the size of your palm, making it a bit too small for bigger dogs. It’s also not the most engaging option when it’s empty — you may have to keep treats inside it to entice your dog to play.

Type: Treat dispenser | Material: Rubber | Suitable For: Adult dogs

PHOTO: People / Riley Shea
PHOTO: People / Riley Shea

Best for Large Dogs

Bullymake Steak Dog Toy

PHOTO: Bullymake

$18 at Amazon $20 at Walmart View on Bullymakeshop.com

Our Ratings

Ease of Use

5/5
Engagement

5/5
Durability

4/5

Star Qualities

Nylon only showed a few teeth marks after several weeks of use
Active chewers enjoyed chowing down on this toy
Can easily be washed off

Red Flags

Makes a loud noise when dropped

Even if you have an extra-large dog breed, they’ll be able to safely chew on this steak-shaped toy. It’s made from extremely hard nylon — we initially thought it might even be too hard, but our dogs still loved chewing on it — and it has various grooves and score marks to make chewing more interesting. After weeks of testing, the material only had a few teeth marks on it, and we never worried that pieces were going to break off of it. We also liked that you can easily wash off the toy if it gets too dirty.

Type: Chew toy | Material: Nylon | Suitable For: Adult dogs

PHOTO: People / Jessica Eno
PHOTO: People / Jessica Eno
PHOTO: People / Jessica Eno

Other Dog Toys for Tough Chewers We Tried

West Paw Zogoflex Qwizl Toy: If your dog makes quick work of bully sticks or other stick-shaped treats, this dispenser can help keep them busy for longer. It holds the stick in place, and your pup can either chew on the exposed end or lick the treat through the holes on the sides of the toy. It kept dogs busy for long periods, but they did sometimes get frustrated if they couldn’t get the treat out.
West Paw Tux Treat Toy: This treat-dispensing tool has a unique shape that’s easier to fill than Kongs. You can fill the inner section with treats, and we loved the ability to put water or chicken broth in the hole — once frozen, it kept dogs busy for even longer. However, dogs only found the toy interesting when there were treats inside.
Nylabone Puppy Teething Pacifier Kit: This three-piece kit is designed for young dogs up to 25 pounds. It comes with one knobby chew toy, one smooth chew, and an edible bacon-flavored treat. After the edible treat was gone, the puppies would chew on the bones for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, but these toys are so small that dogs will outgrow them quickly.

What to Know About Dog Toys for Tough Chewers

Toy Style

Just like when buying toys for your cat, you’ll want to take your dog’s play style into account when shopping for new toys. Some dogs may prefer regular chew toys, which are ideal for independent play, while others might prefer a tug toy or treat dispenser, which is a bit more interactive.

If your dog loves to play tug-of-war, toys like the Goughnuts Maxx Heavy-Duty Tug Toy or BiteKing Natural Rubber Dog Toy can stand up to being yanked and bitten. For dogs that love fetch, a toy like the Chew King Fetch Balls will provide hours of entertainment.

Age and Size

Your dog’s age and size should also be taken into account when you’re shopping for toys. “Different toys would be appropriate for puppies, compared to an adult dog and a senior dog,” says Dr. Fox. “Senior dogs' teeth may already be in not-so-great shape or they may be missing some teeth already, so they may need a different kind of toy than a young adult dog who's a really enthusiastic chewer.” Toys like the Playology Puppy Bounce Ball are specially designed for the small mouths of puppies.

Similarly, dogs need toys that are appropriate for their size — if you give a 100-pound mastiff a toy meant for a Chihuahua, chances are they’ll be able to rip it up in a matter of minutes and may even swallow some of the pieces.

Material

If your dog is an aggressive chewer, you’ll want to avoid toys made from certain materials. “Some of the really soft toys like stuffy toys, anything that has stuffing material inside, or that has long strings on it — even the rope-type toys — I usually recommend avoiding because of the risk of them ingesting it and that causing blockage if it were to get stuck,” says Dr. Fox. If you choose to give your dog these types of toys, you’ll want to supervise them during playtime.

Hard rubber, plastic, or nylon is generally the best option for aggressive chewers, as these materials are durable but still able to be chewed. If a toy is too hard, it can lead to cracks or chips in your dog’s teeth: “Some of the natural materials, like antlers, can be just too hard, and they can crack their teeth trying to eat it, so we try to look for the toys that are in between,” she explains.

Behind the Scenes

We enlisted the help of several adorable dogs to test out 25 of the most popular dog toys for aggressive chewers. Our testers ranged in age from 11 weeks to 14 years old, and they came in all shapes and sizes, from a tiny 9-pound Yorkie-Poo to a 95-pound Labrador Retriever mix. To test the toys, we let the dogs do their thing for several weeks, encouraging them to chew on and play with the products — and they held nothing back!

Durability: We noted if the toys frayed, got bite marks, or had any broken pieces after the dogs played with them. Our dogs played with them both inside and outside to see how the toys held up in a variety of conditions.
Ease of Use: For those toys that had treats hidden inside, we took note of how easy it was to get the treat inside, as well as how difficult it was to wash the toy. We also observed how heavy the toy was, and if it worked for playing fetch or if was better as a stationary chew toy.
Engagement: Some toys kept our dogs attention for hours, and others they weren't quite as interested in. We noted the details that kept them coming back to their favorite toy.

We asked their parents to score each toy on its ease of use, durability, and engagement (or, how much the dog liked it), and we combined these scores to create the final ranking. The top-performing products included the Chew King Fetch Balls, SodaPup Coffee Cup, and Playology Dual Layer Bone, all of which earned a perfect score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are some dogs aggressive chewers?

There are a variety of reasons why your dog may chew on toys aggressively. “Some dogs are just very excited by toys, and it's not necessarily that they're intending to destroy them, but they're just so excited,” explains Dr. Fox. “[This often happens with] toys that have something inside that rewards them for getting it open, like a squeaker. It gives them a job, basically, and a determination to try to get in there and get that out.”

However, chewing can also become a compulsive behavior. “Even if they don't have a toy, they might chew on sticks, they might chew on their crate, they might chew on things they find in the house, so sometimes they can border on something that's not so healthy if it becomes compulsive,” she says. If your dog gets to this point, consider talking with your veterinarian about how to manage the behavior.

Puppies are also more prone to chewing than adult dogs — often on things they shouldn’t: “Puppies are just known for chewing more,” Dr. Fox says. “That's how they explore the world: They put things in their mouths, and that's how they taste things, test things, figure things out.”
At what point might aggressive chewing signal a behavioral or medical problem?

Dr. Fox explains that you may want to speak with your veterinarian if your dog “isn't easily satisfied by having a foreign object replaced with a safe toy, and they're continuing to seek out and chew on things that are dangerous.”

It’s also worth seeking medical advice if your dog hurts themselves while chewing, whether it’s a broken tooth or swallowing something they shouldn’t. “Anytime it goes that far to where it is definitely having detrimental health effects, it's worth looking into it more and trying to get to the bottom of why they're doing it and how that can be avoided in the future,” she notes.
Is it safe to give your dog rawhide chews?

Rawhide chews, which are made from untanned animal hides, are a popular treat for dogs, but they can be dangerous in certain situations. “The thing that's not great about rawhides is that [dogs] can swallow pieces that are a little bit too big, and they can get stuck either in their esophagus or digestive tract and cause an obstruction,” explains Dr. Fox. “There are some dogs that have chewed on them their whole lives and have been totally fine, so it's not to say that no dog should ever have one, but I definitely wouldn't give it to a dog who is a very aggressive chewer or a dog who has a tendency to scarf their food.”

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product tester who specializes in home and pet products. She’s owned large-breed dogs her whole life, and she’s currently the proud parent to two Golden Retrievers who have never met a plush toy they didn’t want to rip apart. While writing this article, she carefully reviewed all the testing notes from the PEOPLE Tested team, evaluating the performance and value of each product. She also interviewed veterinarian Amy Fox, DVM on what to look for in durable dog toys and how to manage aggressive chewers.

Our Expert Panel

Amy Fox, DVM, is a veterinarian based in New York City.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.