Good Chew Toys for Dogs

Dogs love to chew; it's a natural behavior for them. If you don't direct this need to gnaw to the appropriate outlet, your puppy or dog may satisfy his desire to chew with your shoes, books or even furniture. Excessive chewing can be a sign of teething in a young pup or boredom and anxiety in older dogs. A wide array of chew toys is available to occupy your dog. When choosing the best chew toy, consider the size of the dog and the safety of the toy.

  1. Size and Safety Matter

    • The most important consideration is the size and chewing power of the dog. Too large or too hard of a chew toy won't work for a toy breed, while too small of a toy might be destroyed or accidentally swallowed by a large dog. Squeak toys have small internal pieces that can choke a dog if he gets to them. Soft rubber toys in the mouth of a strong chewer can be torn apart and swallowed. Rawhide chews and pig ears, while appealing to most dogs, become moist and pliable when chewed and can stick in a dog's throat if swallowed. Avoid toys that have small pieces that can break off.

    Plush Toys

    • Plush chew toys are popular with smaller dogs but can cause problems with large dogs and strong chewers. If the dog tears open a plush toy and pulls out the stuffing, it may give him a taste for the stuff. Everything you own with stuffing could become a potential target. Take a plush toy away from your dog if he tears at the seams or chews holes in it. The stuffing, if swallowed, can cause intestinal obstructions. Avoid plush toys with buttons, bows or other decorative items attached. They can be pulled off and swallowed.

    Hard Rubber Bones and Toys

    • Hard rubber Kong-type toys and Nylabones are good choices. These toys are designed to be indestructible and can also help with dental hygiene. Some bones are designed just for chewing, while others are flavored and can be broken apart and safely eaten. The holes in some hard rubber toys can get stuck on the teeth of larger dogs. Watch your dog with any new toy to be sure it doesn't pose a threat.

    Interactive Toys

    • Interactive toys designed for distributing treats can keep a dog occupied for hours trying to get to the tasty morsels inside. These toys are great for dogs that must be left for long periods of time and are chewing out of boredom or anxiety. The toys can also help distract dogs with barking problems.