Best Chew Toys for Dogs

Chewing is a natural, healthy behavior for dogs. It relieves stress, cleans teeth, exercises jaw muscles, and releases endorphins that help dogs feel calm and satisfied. The right chew toy channels this instinct safely — the wrong one ends up in pieces on your floor, or worse, in your dog's stomach. Here's how to choose the best chew toys for your dog.

Why Dogs Chew

• Stress relief: Chewing releases endorphins and is genuinely calming
• Teething: Puppies chew to relieve teething pain and explore their world
• Boredom: Under-stimulated dogs chew for entertainment
• Dental health: Chewing helps remove plaque and tartar
• Instinct: Dogs are natural chewers — it's hardwired behavior

What You'll Need

• A Nylabone: A durable Nylabone chew is one of the safest and most long-lasting chew toys available. Designed specifically for dogs, available in multiple sizes and flavors, and durable enough for power chewers. The textured surface also helps clean teeth.
• A Kong toy: A Kong Classic is made from nearly indestructible natural rubber and doubles as a food-dispensing toy. Stuff and freeze for a long-lasting chew and mental enrichment combination.

Types of Chew Toys

Rubber Chew Toys

The safest and most durable option for most dogs. Natural rubber toys like the Kong Classic are nearly indestructible, can be stuffed with food for added engagement, and are safe for all chewing styles. Ideal for power chewers and dogs left home alone.

Nylon Chew Toys

Nylabones and similar nylon chews are designed for dogs that need a hard, long-lasting chew. They come in different sizes and flavors, last significantly longer than natural chews, and are safe when used as directed. Choose the right size for your dog — a chew that's too small is a choking hazard.

Natural Chews

Bully sticks, antlers, and similar natural chews are highly motivating but require supervision. Bully sticks are digestible and most dogs love them. Antlers are very hard and can crack teeth in aggressive chewers — use with caution. Always supervise natural chews and remove when they become small enough to swallow whole.

Rope Toys

Good for interactive play and light chewing, but not appropriate for unsupervised chewing. Dogs can unravel rope toys and swallow the fibers, which can cause intestinal blockages. Use rope toys for supervised tug games only.

Choosing the Right Chew Toy for Your Dog

By Chewing Style

• Power chewers (destroy everything): Kong Classic (rubber), Nylabone Power Chew — avoid soft toys, rope toys, and natural chews that splinter
• Moderate chewers: Nylabone, bully sticks, Kong stuffed with food
• Light chewers / puppies: Softer Nylabone puppy versions, Kong puppy, soft rubber toys
• Senior dogs: Softer chews appropriate for aging teeth — avoid very hard chews that can crack teeth

By Size

Always choose a chew toy appropriate for your dog's size. A chew that's too small is a choking hazard; one that's too large may be frustrating. Follow manufacturer size guidelines and supervise until you know how your dog interacts with a new chew.

Chew Toy Safety Rules

• Always supervise with a new chew toy until you know your dog's chewing style
• Replace chews when they become small enough to swallow whole
• Avoid chews harder than your thumbnail — they can crack teeth (the "thumbnail test")
• Never give cooked bones — they splinter and can cause internal injuries
• Remove rope toys when unsupervised
• Choose size-appropriate chews — too small is a choking hazard

How to Keep Chew Toys Interesting

Rotate chew toys just like other toys. A chew that's always available becomes less interesting. Put some away and bring them back after a few days. For Kongs, vary the filling — peanut butter one day, wet food the next, kibble mixed with broth another day. Variety maintains engagement.

Final Thoughts

The right chew toy satisfies your dog's natural chewing instinct safely and durably. A Nylabone for hard chewing and a stuffed Kong for food-based engagement cover most dogs' chewing needs. Choose the right size and chewing style, supervise with new chews, and rotate regularly to keep them interesting. A dog with appropriate chew toys is a dog that leaves your furniture alone.