What did your dog do with the last toy? That’s where I’d start when choosing the best dog toys for chewers. If they spent twenty minutes trying to get one piece of kibble out, I’d look at the KONG Extreme. If their idea of fetch is to chase the toy once, carry it under a tree, and spend the rest of the game chewing it, I’d look at the West Paw Hurley. Both are made for strong chewers, and which one I’d buy depends on which part of the game the dog enjoys.
KONG Extreme for the dog who works for food
The black KONG Extreme has a hollow center you can fill with part of your dog’s regular meal. For a dog who likes to nose a toy across the floor and work out how to get dinner out of it, that hollow middle is the reason to buy it. KONG makes the black rubber for power chewers, so this is the version I’d consider if softer rubber hasn’t held up.
Start with KONG’s weight chart, then check the fit. The widest part of the toy should be wider than the back of your dog’s mouth. If your dog falls between sizes, KONG recommends going up a size.
West Paw Hurley for the dog who fetches and chews
The Hurley is a bone-shaped toy you can throw without having to put dinner in it first. West Paw designed it for both fetch and chewing, which is handy if your dog routinely changes the rules halfway through a game. It also floats, so if your dog likes retrieving toys from the water, there’s another reason to pick this one.
Check the dimensions for the Hurley you’re buying. Your dog should be able to carry it comfortably, and it should be too large to swallow whole. Both recommendations are based on the manufacturers’ designs and sizing guidance. We haven’t tested the toys side by side.
Buy one toy first and give it a proper trial while you’re home. Watch whether your dog settles into chewing, keeps trying to bite off an end, or abandons it as soon as the food is gone. That tells you more about the next purchase than a label promising a toy will last forever. If the KONG only interests your dog when it’s filled, you’ve learned that food is part of its appeal. If your dog enjoys carrying the Hurley around after a game, you may already have a good match.
How to choose the best dog toys for chewers
When a dog destroys a toy in twenty minutes, buying something harder makes sense right up until the thing that gives is a tooth. The American Animal Hospital Association suggests pressing your thumbnail into the surface. If you can’t leave a small dent, choose something with more give. That’s a good reason to leave antlers and hard bones on the shelf.
Stay with your dog while they use either toy. If you spot a split in the rubber or an end starting to tear, retire it before your dog can pull a piece free. If a piece is missing and you think your dog swallowed it, call your veterinarian promptly. Keep what’s left so you can describe the missing piece.
If your dog has already cracked a tooth or has a habit of swallowing pieces, ask your vet what they’d recommend before buying the next toy. And if someone else will be playing fetch while you’re away, you can be specific in your pet sitter instructions. “The Hurley is fine while you’re there. Please put it back in the cupboard before you leave.”
For more ideas, our pet enrichment guide covers food puzzles, play, and other ways to keep your dog busy.