Dogs love chewing - it’s no secret - and there’s nothing better than finding the best chew toys for dogs. Here, they can gnaw throughout the week, happy as can be. However, something as important as a dog toy can’t come without risks and lots of questions. Here, at Take a Break Pets, we’ve made your search a little easier. We’ve put together a guide to dog chew toys that are safe, good for their oral health and approved by vets.
So, why are chew toys important for dogs? Well, chewing is a natural behaviour for pooches. Although not every dog wants to chew, many will love to chew on the occasional bone or substitute. Vets and behaviourists agree that chewing is completely natural, and we should encourage it – hence, chew toys are a good solution. Plus, toys may be a necessity for naughty pups as they keep your pooch entertained and distracted - as an interactive dog toy does.
Additionally, we can’t ignore the benefits to chew toys and how it improves your pooch’s dental health. In fact, studies have shown that some chew toys reduce tartar and plaque. It’s safe to say that chew toys are far more appropriate (and beneficial) for your dog than your slippers. You can even keep their teeth and gums healthy with dog toothpaste.
Best chew toys for dogs at a glance
• Best set of chew toys for dogs: WeFine Dog Chew Toys - View Offer on Amazon UK
• Best indestructible chew toy for dogs: Eileen + Elisa Indestructible Chew Toy - View Offer on Amazon UK
• Best overall chew toy: Kong Classic Chew Dog Toy - View Offer on Zooplus
• Best dental chew for dogs: Nylabone Pro Action Dental Chew Toy - View Offer on Amazon UK
With Christmas seemingly always around the corner, buying a chew toy for your dog makes the perfect stocking filler. However, our good pooches deserve a treat year-round. Did you know that eco-friendly dog toys were popular? We didn't - and they're great for your pooch and better for the planet. Whether a dainty puppy chew toy or a tough toy for a large breed, we've got plenty of picks - to occupy your furry friend and stop them from chewing anything else.
Best chew toys for dogs - 2023
Recommended
We love these CHIWAVA Squeaky Latex Toys. Each toy has a soft squeak sound and can be used for playing fetch outdoors. This pack of 3 toys are designed for small to medium dogs. Soft, squeaky and no stuffing.
Customer Review: "Tough and fun products that my puppy hasn’t managed to destroy yet. These items are more durable than other makes of toys that I have purchased."
Pros
- Soft squeak for play
- Good value set
Cons
- Not ideal for large dogs
| Material | Non-Toxic Latex Rubber |
| Suitable For | Small to Medium Dogs |
Best rope chew toy for smaller dogs
Made from durable rope, this MEKEET Giraffe Rope Toy is a favourite. Judging by reviews and the description, this toy is best suited for smaller breeds - those who nibble, rather than aggressively chew. It's great for teething pups, too.
Customer Review: "I have a 4-month-old Vizsla, and he’s teething, poor little fella. They’re about to come through his gums, and he seems to be very fond of gumming the giraffe’s feet with the back of his mouth. Also, it’s a great toy for playing fetch with, since being cotton rope, it’s not as noisy when it lands on the wood floor."
Pros
- Eco-friendly material
- Safe for pet chewing
Cons
- Not for powerful chewers
| Material | Rope |
| Suitable For | Small to Medium Dogs; Puppies |
Best set of chew toys for dogs
Made from safe and non-toxic material, this set of 10 WeFine Dog Chew Toys is a great companion for a small dog or puppy who wants to chew. Great for dental health, the ropes can clean your dog's teeth by reducing plaque build-up. Apart from the duck toy, this set is durable - and will keep your pup away from the furniture.
Customer Review: "I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the toys in this selection. I wanted something that my 10-week-old Yorkie/Bichon Frise Cross could play with and chew on that wouldn't break her teeth whilst she was chewing on them. There were a couple of toys that were too big for her but she'll grow into them. Although the yellow plush squeaky duck is slightly flimsy and cheap, I can heartily recommend this selection of rope toys as being excellent value. The set has something for every type of puppy I can think of."
Pros
- Great value and safe set
- Durable and non-toxic
Cons
- The duck toy is flimsy
| Material | Non-Toxic Rope, Natural Cotton Fibre, Rubber |
| Suitable For | Small and Medium Breeds, Puppies |
Cheddar than the rest
If your pup has a hankering for cheese, this chew toy is cheddar than the rest. OK – we’ll stop now. The Nylabone Extreme Tough Cheese Bone Chew is durable, cleans teeth and satisfies your dogs’ natural urge to chew. Nylabone boasts that even aggressive chewers will have a challenge.
Customer Review: “My lab is a really strong chewer and destroys everything eventually. This one is still going!”
Pros
- Cheese-flavoured
- Durable and delicious
Cons
- May not suit large breeds
| Material | Durable nylon |
| Suitable For | Medium Dogs |
Best indestructible chew toy for dogs
This squeaky Eileen & Elisa Indestructible Chew Toy is made from non-toxic rubber and judging by most reviews, is practically indestructible - which is what we want to hear. With a soft texture and ridged design, this rubber toy is a great companion teeth-cleaning companion to your extra-large pooch that may tear through everything else in a matter of minutes.
Customer Review: "My friend owns a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and I wanted to get him something he could play with a chew on which would last more than a weekend. Prior to this, I'd seen him destroy some chew toys made of rope in a day. This toy is made of hard-set rubber - almost doesn't bend but it's not rigid by any means, which is perfect for a dog with a strong chew. Given the small price tag, I would say this is a great buy."
Pros
- Great for tough chewers
- Lightweight and durable
Cons
- Only one size available
| Material | Natural rubber |
| Suitable For | Medium to large breeds |
Best overall chew toy
www.zooplus.co.uk
The Kong Classic Chew Dog Toy is another favourite on this list. Great for medium-sized to larger dogs, this toy can be filled with kibble or peanut butter to satisfy your pooch's hankering for a nibble. Although it's not indestructible, this rubber toy is durable with an erratic bounce. It's a great choice for a pooch that loves to chew and play.
Customer Review: "Our dog hasn't made a dent in this which is a miracle! He loves it as a basic toy, but he also loves it frozen with food stuffed inside. Lots of recipes on YouTube, then seal the end with peanut butter. I don't know why I waited so long to buy one. Keeps puppy entertained and her brain activity for ages - I think it might be magic!"
Pros
- Recommended for the average chewer
- Mentally stimulating toy
Cons
- We can't think of any!
| Material | Rubber |
| Suitable For | Medium, Large or XL |
Best tyre chew toy for dogs
Why not provide hours of pull and tug play with the Grrelli Tyre Tugger? It is made up of a bright rope and a tough tyre - which help your pooch play. Available in three sizes - it covers all strengths, sizes and breeds of dogs.
Pros
- Encourages interactive play
- Durable, tough for teeth and gums
Cons
- No customer reviews
| Material | Rubber, Rope |
| Suitable For | Medium to Large Dogs |
Best dental chew for dogs
This bacon-flavoured dental toy will help keep your canine's gnashers in tip-top condition! Made from tough, durable nylon and a soft, flexible polymer, this Nylabone Pro Action Dental Chew Toy gives your dog a great "cleaning performance". It serves as a great way to keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy.
Customer Review: "My doggy wouldn't eat any dental chews and hated having her teeth cleaned but she adores this! Best purchase I've made for the health of her mouth. Would highly recommend it!"
Pros
- Offers great cleaning performance
- Durable for strong chewers
Cons
- None that we can think of!
| Material | Combination of tough, durable nylon and softer, flexible polymer |
| Suitable For | Sizes available for Small, Medium and Large Dogs |
Best chew toy for larger dogs
Packed with flavour and exceptionally tough, the TastyBone Nylon range is tried and tested offering that keeps even the most vigorous chewers chomping for days. With an irresistible peanut butter flavour, your pooch will fall for this durable TastyBone Peanut Butter Flavour Toy. Furthermore, this toy lasts more than five minutes.
Customer Review: "Most chew toys and treats don't last long with my staffie but this is still holding up since Christmas. It's durable and is taking a long time to wear down. The packaging says it's safe if they ingest any small parts as it's edible, which is reassuring to know. Would recommend it for any dog that destroys a toy within minutes!"
Pros
- Irresistibly tasty
- Durable and tough
Cons
- Remember to supervise chewing
| Material | Flavoured nylon |
| Suitable For | Larger dogs - there are small and mediums available. |
FAQs
How do I choose a safe dog chew toy for my pet?
At Take a Break, we want to make sure you’re putting the safety of your pooch first. So, we’ve got some tips on choosing the safest chew toys for your dog.
Breed and Size – are the main factors when it comes to picking the best chew toys for your dog. Consider the size of their jaw – are they a nibbler or does their bite pack a punch? The toys to trust will offer advice and different varieties of chew toys to suit all breeds and sizes.
Brand – is another thing to consider. Always choose good quality over a cheaper product.
Supervision – is best. It’s no secret that our pooches get up to no good when we’re not around. But, when it comes to chewing toys, it’s best to keep watch to make sure everything is OK. Just don’t give your furry friend a brand-new toy and then leave the house.
As veterinarian, Joanna Woodnutt says: “There are no completely safe chew toys for dogs, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use them. It’s all about balancing the possible risks against the possible benefits to your dog, and then doing what you can to minimise the risks. If you’re unsure, talk to your vet, who will be happy to share their experiences with a range of dog chews!”
What makes a safe chew toy?
Well, thanks to Pet Radar, we’ve managed to round up the ideal characteristics of a safe chew toy:
Tough and long-lasting
Contains no harmful chemicals
Available in a range of sizes to suit each dog
Completely and quickly digestible, in case of swallowing
Doesn’t splinter into sharp pieces
Not harder than dental enamel
Attractive to dogs (tastes/smells good, right texture)
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Take a Break, specialising in pet health. When she’s not barking about dog supplements, she’s online devouring cat content.