Do you also have toys that are indestructible?
A familiar question from owners whose dogs tend to destroy toys. The answer is simple: no. All toys can, in principle, be broken, but that doesn't mean there isn't suitable chew or play toy for powerful chewers. How we choose the right toy for every dog is outlined in this article.
Chewing
Most dogs love to chew. It's a natural behavior that contributes to the well-being of the dog. Chewing releases the happiness hormone endorphin, which makes the dog feel good. So, it's a self-rewarding activity. And something that feels good, you naturally want to repeat.
Chewing can also help dogs relax, particularly for those experiencing stress. In the case of puppies, chewing can alleviate pain caused by teething. Endorphins play a role here as well: this hormone not only creates a sense of well-being but also reduces pain. For older dogs, chewing can help maintain jaw strength.
There are plenty of reasons for a dog to chew, and it's up to the owner to facilitate this in the right way. When choosing the right toy, we consider the following factors: Character, Chewing Need & Strength, and Activity.
Character
There are dogs that always try to "destroy" their toys, and there are dogs that never do, with various profiles in between. We also observe that some dogs have a preference for destroying a specific type of toy. For instance, some dogs immediately tear apart plush toys but spare toys made from other materials. The reverse is also seen: dogs that seem focused on destroying rubber or plastic toys but treat their favorite stuffed animal delicately.
Chewing Need & Strength
As mentioned earlier, there can be numerous reasons for a dog to chew: feeling good, reducing stress, maintaining chewing strength, or alleviating teething pain. These needs inform the choice of toy. For puppies, you'd choose strong but not excessively hard chew toys. They should be somewhat flexible since excessive rigidity can be painful. This could lead the pup to ignore the toy and prefer chewing on a nice shoe instead.
Additionally, some dogs enjoy vigorously chewing on toys during play, like gnawing on a ball while walking or running. These dogs have a strong chewing need but not necessarily the goal of destroying the toy. However, with strong chewing power, the result might indeed be destruction.
Activity
A powerful chewer doesn't always need the strongest toy available. The context or activity plays an essential role. Depending on the Character mentioned earlier, you might choose less robust toys for certain situations, like interactive play. However, keep in mind that after playtime, the toy should be put away to prevent the dog from eventually destroying it. As an alternative, offer durable and robust chew toys.
Super Strong and Durable Chew Toys
At the start of this blog, it was mentioned that there's no toy that never breaks, but there is variation in durability and sturdiness among toys. West Paw's chew toys—such as the Hurley, Jive, and Rumpus—are suitable for extremely powerful chewers and, in our view, an absolute recommendation even for dogs that have managed to break other strong chew toys. You can also let your dog try West Paw's Zogoflex and Seaflex toys without risk, thanks to West Paw's Love It Guarantee, which covers a one-time return or exchange for another (stronger) toy of their brand.
In addition to chew toys, West Paw also offers fantastic toys for play and puzzle-solving. The Quick Guide helps you quickly and easily choose the suitable toy based on activity and chewing strength required for that activity.
*Feel free to inquire about the conditions.
This blog was created with input from Rita Viel, Export Manager of West Paw Inc. This dog toy is manufactured in America and is high-quality. It even holds the CE certification, making it safe for children too. The toy is also 100% recyclable. In addition to being an export manager, Rita is also a dog training instructor and co-founder of Kwispel Dog School in Steenwijk, as well as a certified behavior therapist.
Rita encountered West Paw's toys years ago when she was searching for high-quality toys to help address certain behavioral issues in dogs. Now, she conducts workshops worldwide on playing with dogs and how to use play and toys to address specific behavioral problems, as well as for dogs with limitations such as older dogs, injured dogs, and puppies.
