Types of chew toys for dogs
There are many different types of dog chew toys, some are designed for total indestructibility, others designed for enrichment and others for teething or even nutrition. When choosing between the type of dog chew toy it is important to assess why you are buying the chew toy and what stage of life your dog is at.
Puppy chew toys
There is a wide choice of chew toys available for puppies that are specially designed for enrichment and help with teething. When your puppy is teething, having chew toys to hand can be the saving grace against your home furnishings. Puppies need to chew, so if trained correctly, they will opt for chewing on the right things, instead of your skirting boards and sofas! Some chew toys for example KONG chews are also perfect for enrichment, while they are great for your puppy or dog to get their teeth into, they can also hide tasty treats and recipes. Back in March our team of bakers put together some KONG recipes which you can try at home, giving a standard chew toy an edge. The list included some of our top voted for recipes, including Eevee & Gus’ Peanut Butter Parfait which contains 1/2 mashed banana, 1 tsp peanut butter (dog-friendly, Xylitol free), a handful of blueberries, and 1 tbsp of natural yoghurt all blended together and stuffed into a KONG!
Indestructible chew toys
For adult dogs, often indestructible chew toys are an absolute must. These types of hard-wearing chew toys are great for strong jaws and active chewers, with the ability to withstand the jaws of their owner and a lot of pulling! Indestructible chew toys are also great for dogs which are likely to be left alone. Safe in the paw-parents knowledge that they won’t come home to their dog ripping and digesting the chew toys. These types of chews come in all shapes and sizes, from bones to balls and everything in between.
Dental chew toys
Suitable for dogs and puppies of all ages dental chew toys do exactly what it says on the tin. They offer the ability to help clean your dogs’ teeth without you having to get in there with a toothbrush! Many contain a channel where doggy friendly toothpaste can even be added or bristles and ridges which get in between your four-legged friends’ teeth when chewing. These types of chew toys for dogs are great for enrichment, dental health and keeping active chewers busy!
What is the best chew toy for dogs?
The subjective nature of the term “best” makes it difficult for us to pick out one top chew toy. The extensive range available all have their own benefits, so it really depends on what you need your dog to get out of its chew toy.
When choosing the best chew toy for your dog, factor in these variants:
- Your dog’s age
- Your dog’s level of destruction
- Your dog’s need for mental stimulation
- What you aim for the dog to get out of having a chew toy.
Our top three chew toys
While it is so difficult for us to choose the best chew toy, our team have narrowed it down to our top three choices.
#1 – KONG chew
Suitable for all ages, it provides enrichment, nutrition when stuffed with the right healthy recipes and is indestructible for even the roughest of chewers.
#2 – Whimzees Toothbrush
This tough but tasty toothbrush is made with delicious all-natural ingredients, and the vegetable-based texture removes plaque and tartar as your dog chews.
#3 – Staglers antler chew toy
Naturally packed with vitamins, minerals & virtually fat-free, these chews are great for your dog to really get their teeth into and gently grind away at the antler in a safe and healthy way.
