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October 21st, 2009
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I would love to hear from others about any truly indestructible dog toys they’ve found because I’ve had very little luck. Of course, I have pit bulls who can destroy a tire in three minutes. The closest I’ve come is Kong, the Almost Indestructible Dog Ball, and the Hurley. The problem is, my dogs aren’t necessarily drawn to these (unless the Kong is filled with peanut butter).
One solution is to buy the cute stuffed toys replete with squeaker and shaped like a moose. Five minutes after giving them to your voracious pup, pick up the squeaker which is now stuck under the bed. Ten minutes later, grab a small trash bag and pick up the stuffing which has an amazing way of getting everywhere. Fifteen minutes later, go in for the kill, telling Fido what a good dog he is as you grab the leftover carcass. Now, refill the carcass and sew if necessary and tomorrow you can go through the same thing. At least it’s something he enjoys. Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat. |
I have a one year old lab and have yet to find a toy she can’t destroy. I’ve even tried a Kong and she chewed through that in less than 24 hours, apparently she decided it was taking too long to get the peanut butter out the correct way and chewed through the rubber. I’ve just sort of resigned myself to buying new toys every couple weeks.
I would like to know some toys as well, I have a Skye Terrier who can destroy any toy and still is chewing them up like a puppy at 2 1/2 years old. Let me know if you find one : )
I have a 13 month old Aussie Terrier puppy. I agree the only thing he has not destroyed are the black kongs
and you must be able to put food in them. I now let him pick out his own toys for they are the ones that seem to last the most. I have spent up to $30 on a toy..ones that claim that they are indistructable usually cost more.
I try to go for the interactive toys so that he has a challenge. And yes I have tried the ring shaped toy that has been sewn 7 times it lasted him less than a month one he broke though the ribbing the toy was toast.
Lydia & Roo
I have 3 golden retrievers who can chew up almost anything. Kongs seem to be the most indestructible, but not necessarily the most interesting. I have resigned myself to buying tennis balls in bulk on sale. They last for a decent amount of time and are always of intrest.
I have to say that I have a Golden Retriever and a Pitbull (big chewer) and we have discovered Orka toys. They have lasted us far longer than any Kong toy. We have a ball, a Orka Jack, a Orka Stick (the ropes no longer exist though), and a bone shaped toy with different textures all over it. All of the toys float too. They feel like they wouldn’t last long but they are awesome AND not that expensive! I definitely recommend Orka and they are the ONLY toys I will ever buy from now on!
Well I guess I’m the luckiest person here. My past three dogs, a Belgium and 2 German Shepherds just don’t really destroy toy. Well other than when playing tug!
I have 3 toys here complete with working squeekers which must be over 15 years old. Seriously. I’m not joking. As for Kongs, my current HSD lover the Air Kongs. I bought his his first 2 years ago and its still working fine. And they are played with daily. Out of the 7 he has, only one is split, and that was due to my driving over it.
I have found a small rubber ball like creature with a squeak that my pittie, Sadie, is obsessed with. She has two now, one green that stays at day care and one pink we play with at home. The material is thick and I think it feels good to chew on it. I bought both at a Petco store for no more than 5 dollars.
I know exactly what you mean! My Pitbull/Australian Cattle Dog mix destroys her toys. The Kongs last, only because I pick them up after she’s gotten the filling out. There’s a couple balls that have lasted, but they were like $15 each. I also pick them up so she doesn’t have free reign to destroy them.
I walk into Petsmart and see the cute stuffed animal toys and it makes me sad my dogs can’t have them, especially now with the holiday themed toys. The Nylabones (the tough white ones) last awhile. But I’m sure they get bored with them after awhile.
I have a pit mix, Luca, who also goes through any and all toys like it is her job. The large Kong has lasted 2 years but, I agree, she isn’t too interested in it. She adores stuffed toys, but much like the author’s dogs, goes through them in minutes; leaving me to clean up the fluff for a half an hour. No fun. I’ve found two things that are relatively long lasting and way worth the money:
Skinneeez: the plush dog toy without the stuffing. It’s exactly like what it sounds like: the fluffy soft “Skin” of the toy with no filling. Not only does Luca love the softness and floppiness, I think they are very amusing to look at (come in skunk, squirrel, racoon, rabbit etc). There are small and large sizes. The Skinnee as a whole will last a day or two, but the remaining shreds, with their long tails, are fun for at least a few weeks.
Then there are the Fleece Balls from a company called Bentley’s Bones (for which Luca was a test-dog). These are huge floppy, soft balls of individual fleece ribbons. They last and last, and when they finally break apart they break in sections so continue to be excllent toys for at least a month or so. I think us serious-chewer owners will always be on the lookout for that perfect toy!
My very old Jack Russell Terrier mix Amy who loves to play with a “Mr. Squeaky”. Mr. Squeaky is any new soft toy with a squeaker and tons of stuffing. She will shake it very hard and then work on getting the squeaker out, and then proceed in ripping the toy completely apart. When all the stuffing is satisfactorily strewn all over the house, Amy will take the remaining carcass of Mr. Squeaky and curl up with it in her bed. She will also drag the carcass of Mr. Squeaky for a walk outside. I think it’s completely adorable but my vacuum cleaner has a different opinion.
And here I thought I was the only one that did that! I’d sew that dang duck back together until there were just strings left! LOL
Shannon, I also have pit bulls (3 of them). I have found Nylabone for Powerful Chewers to be the best for pacifying and cleaning teeth. I buy them at Walmart, or local pet or farm supply, they come in a variety of flavors. The dog can’t bite through them, they fleck off but don’t leave too much of a mess, and come in a large size. They are a little pricey but worth is because they last a long time. Just throw them out when they’ve been widdled down to a small size. I’ve also used basted thigh bones found at my local Farm supply store, when they’ve cleaned them of their yummy coating I reuse them by putting a little peanut butter inside…keeps the dogs busy and are big enough you don’t have to worry about them swallowing it. Both are good for the outdoors too. i hope this information helps you!
Thank you so much for the daily dog tips!
Shellie, Illinois
Bamboo toys for durability and softness. I have two German/Austrian Shepherds, and quite the chewers/destroyers.
I’ve also had great luck with buying toys for them from the outdoorsmen type stores. (hunting/fishing/camping stores) The “toys” are in the dog training section for training bird/small game dogs – I don’t really think the are toys but training aids. The toys look like animals, bunnies, ducks, and typically have 2 squeakers in them, are fluffy and have pretty good durability.
My 10 month old lab/shepherd mix loves to chew. In fact I just got a call from my dog walker this afternoon that he tore the stuffing out of the bed while he was in his crate. The only toy he has not chewed to pieces is his Kong. When he gets a hold of any other toy he not only chews off pieces, he swallows them whole which causes a few days of digestive problems and many late night/early morning wake up calls! I am looking for some indestructible/edible options.. Toys or bones (non raw-hide) that he can chew on while I am not at home without worrying about him choking, or eating something he can’t digest. Any suggestions!?
Kelly, I totally know what you’re talking about! I have a 2 year old Bernedoodle (yep, a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Standard Poodle) and she can chew through almost anything! But, you should consider yourself lucky, because your dogs (unlike mine) don’t eat the stuffing and other toys that they destroy – they just leave you to clean up the mess. My pup’s ability to swallow excessively large, “inedible” objects has already cost one emergency exploratory surgery, which is way more than any indestructible dog toy could ever cost!
The only toys that have proven to be lasting are non raw-hide bones and a special “treat ball” that, when rolled, dispenses treats
I’ve given up on all the rest.
My Boston Terrier brings the demolished toy squeaker to me to trade for a treat – he was a Good Boy not to eat it, & Good Boys get treats!!
I would love to know one too! I have 2 terriers who destroy anything fuzzy in a blink of the eye! I’ve even returned so called industructable toys back to the Petsmart for a refund when they have chewed into it only moments after removing the price tag! They have given me no problems returning these by the way but I gave up on trying with those a long time ago!
I use Nylabones as a way to expend energy and keep them busy and happy. My only concern is now they are 4 and 5 years old and act as if they are 4 and 5 months old. I want to know the long term consequenses on their teeth from using these but can’t find anyone to answer this question! They ignore anything else in the house by the way and the only other toys I can give them are dog friendly balls that have a Kong consistency. They aren’t that into Kongs either except if they have food in them. Too many treats can make them gain weight so I don’t put treats in them!
You can also put Nylabones in the diswasher if they get gross from carpet nylon or just don’t look right! Throw them away when they get too small and become a choking hazard!
Hi, I have seven dogs, two are german shephards, I found these toys last very long, if you go to mydogtoy.com you can see what they are, you can buy them in the store too. They are great, they come in different strenths. They are as close to stuffies that I can get that last.
This is my house…..I have to buy 2 “indestructible” toys for my 2 labs……the whole story describes what goes on here. I had to laugh because it’s so true. Right now I have to go outside (someone snuck their toy out), with bag and pick up the innards of yet another dead unstuffed critter. It goes on and on……….
I have a year old 5 pound chihuahua, that can chew through anything, I have thrown more toys away some ruber some stuffed, once she breaks threw to the stuffing I get rid of it, I worry about her chocking. my friends little dog has stuffed toys and does not chew them up. I have renamed her jaws.
Our dog is really rough on her dollies. We buy her “Fat Cat” stuffed dollies, they are triple stitched and made of canvas. She hasn’t destroyed one yet.
Nylabone Double Action Chew has been the one chew that has withstood my 2 11 month old Thai Ridgback Dogs.We just upgraded to the wolf size
It’s nice to know that I’m not the only owner with a dog that devours toys in seconds. I have found that the Kong does last a long time but again, like most dogs she loses interest quickly and can be hard to find in the yard. I have found the “Everlasting Treat Ball” to be the best option for my dog. They come in several sizes and the treats are large and can take weeks to remove, if not longer. The treats fit on the outside edges of the ball and when the treats have been finished, I find my dog still loves to play with the ball. I usually purchase most of my pet supplies from doctorsfostersmith.com but I am sure the toy can be purchased anywhere. I have a Husky/Malumate mix 2 year old so believe me when I tell you this toy is “Everlasting”.
For our outside dogs we go for the econimical.
They love the empty plastic water and soda bottles.
We even gave our Pyr a 2 liter bottle one time and he had a blast with it. Until our alpha Siberian Husky took it away from him that is…
Kelly, just a thought… are indestructable toys any fun?
Helen and Raja
My 14 month, 17 lb Cairn Terrier is notorious for shredding up his toys. Kong? Dead in 15 minutes. It doesn’t matter if they’re soft, squeaky or made of durable plastic. Heck, he ate right through our sheetrock, molding and wire fence. There is no stopping a relentless pooch and we discovered there is no such thing as a “durable” dog toy.
Indestructable toy with replacement guarantee:
Goughnut
http://www.goughnuts.com
Tell Amy that Ann From Woody’s Dog Wash sent you!
The only indistructable toy that I have found for my dog is the Nylabone. It takes him several weeks to destroy one.
I bought TWO indestructable toys for my Boykin Spaniel….a “military shoe sole” from Fetch Dog and some sort of “round” toy from our kennel…JR Rim…..can’t read the label since Brandi ate it….and of course over a course of several days, she vomited the pieces she ate! FUN! SO! If there is an indestructable toy, please let me know!
My two dogs have a, so-far, indestructible rope ball. It is made of very thick (3″) rope and the knot is at least 12″. They havent killed it yet but you should see how their eyes roll back in their head as they chew on it.
My Saint Bernard, Lola, destroys almost anything. One of the few toys that survived:
Bumi – http://www.thedailytail.com/reviews/review-west-paw-design-bumi-dog-toy/
Leo, Chessie/Lab mix, can’t make a squeaky toy last longer than 5 minutes. If it doesn’t bounce or squeak, or isn’t food, it doesn’t get touched. Now if only Kong balls floated.
I picked up several Hanuka and Christmas-themed toys last February for a song. I may look for some Halloween toys in late November.
I, too, had the same problem with toys being destroyed in 5 minutes or less. Several months ago, I found the toy bragging as the “world’s most durable soft dog toy” with much disbelief I deceided to give it a try. My Shiloh, Rosie, and Chaser, my Golden Retriever, have managed to go from 0 to dead toy in less than 3 seconds. Rosie is known as the squeaker killer, last Christmas we were given a squeaky mat, whose same type has withstood several other toy killers, she had killed and removed 2 of hte 16 squealers in less than 2 minutes with me supervising her. Needless tosay I was highly skeptical about this new toy, well, three months later I am in belief the “ultimate bone” in still in one piece (although a little dirty) has stood up to tug of war between Rosie and chaser and last week when I was babysitting my uncle’s Golden Retriever a tug-fest with the 3 of them all being involved-with nary a torn peice of fabric or a missing stitch. Website: mydogtoy.com Approval Rating @ my house: 8 paws up!
The Egge, Best Ball, Pyramid (treat dispenser), Hurley and Bumi are all made for the power chewers and some are guaranteed indestructible! Owners of Pit Bulls have told me how much their dogs love these toys and that they do last! These are all available at http://www.planetbluedog.com.
My son’s dog, Jack, is a voracious chewer. My own dog is not, so the toys here I have had for a long time. . . until Jack came along. Now I put up my dog’s favorites, and just leave the rest out for Jack to destroy, as in your story. The one thing I’ve found that Jack loves is to tie up a tennis ball in the toe of an old sock. It does all end up in the garbage eventually, but not quite as quickly as a squeaky toy or a stuffed toy. Plus it doesn’t make such a big mess. The ball can be used several times, and the socks are going to be tossed anyway, so why not give them one final whirl as a dog toy!
The other option to cleaning up destroyed toys is to train the dog not to destroy toys.
My 100 pound shepherd mix was all about toy destruction when I first adopted him. However, I monitored his play and redirected him from the destructive behaviors (concentrated chewing, ripping with paws and teeth, etc) into more toy-friendly behaviors like just squeaking the toy or playing fetch. If he injures a toy, I make a big show of taking the toy away and taking it to the garbage can with a lot of fuss and using an overly dramatic sad voice. He has since learned that when I say “don’t destroy the toy” in the overly dramatic sad voice, he redirects himself to running around squeaking it or giving it to me for fetch.
Now, stuffed toys with squeakers, those incredibly cheap plastic squeaky toys, and rope toys all last a really really long time in our house.
Our St. Louis Humane Society was part of the recent pit bull raid and bust. With over 150 pit bulls in holding they were asking for old bowling balls. So we got out ours but kept one for our bully and german shepherd. Put peanut butter in the finger holes and they will push the thing around the yard or house for hours. She can’t fit the huge ball in her mouth so far no cracks or teeth issues.
My dog is a terrier mix and weighs only 16 lbs. She can ruin any new toy in 15 minutes or less. I guess it is their instinct to kill small furry things
I to often find it hard to get good toys, my husky X can chew through a tin can if he is in the mood..lol.The people who make the KONG actually make a whole line of toys, balls, pull toys etc, which I have found quite good.If your dogs will chew on stuffed toys with out the squeaky might I suggest getting toys from a 99 cent store , or a thirft store( then your helping a charity and your dogs..lol)
In reading some Of the other comments, I remember that KONG makes “tennis balls and footballs” that have squeakies in them that are pretty indestructible.Not sure how they would stand up to a pit bull but most dogs that have them find them hard to destroy.
by the way Joe…..Kong does make one that floats…its has a wave like pattern on it in blue, and a rope, and the centre is filled with rubber so it floats quite well.
OMg, SO much GREAT information! Thanks! I learned about several new toys.
Re: dogs eating their toys – thank you for bringing this up. It’s obviously imperative to supervise any dog who eats bits of his toys. For something digestible, I’d suggest something like the Bone-Mints Dental Chews though they don’t last very long.
Re: Are indestructible toys enjoyable – lol! As soon as they figure out they’re indestructible, probably not.
I’m not sure if it was mentioned but the line by Busy Buddy toys has actually worked for my youngest pit: http://www.busybuddytoys.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/toys/busybuddy
He especially like the tug-a-jug. Sometimes puzzle solving toys can last longer.
I have two Seberian Huskies, and my Mom’s Malamute. The three them make it a job to destroy anything that squeeks and have no interest in anything that doesn’t. I used to go through the daily ritual of giving them stuffed squeeky toys and then cleaning up the fluff until I worked for an emergency vet hospital and learned how dangerous and expensive foriegn body removal is. This is something that hasn’t been mentioned. If your dog is actually destroying his/her toys be aware that the pieces (no matter the material: rope, fluff, or plastic) can pose a serious health risk. I have found the Air Kongs to be a great solution. They are tough and squeeky. Its the only thing my dogs get, and while the squeeking is annoying it keeps ‘em happy and healthy.
I have found that rather then repairing the freshly destroyed toys, it is inexpensive and less time consuming to get the stuffed animals at the Goodwill or thrift store. These toys are designed for children and are a little more durable then the ones out there for dogs so they last a few minutes longer. I can get a bag full of animals for $3 that last for a couple weeks and have one happy pooch!
Leeny:
Good point! Just watch for small removable pieces like eyes.
- K.
I, too, love the Kong, or should I say, the dog does! One thing I have tried, as far as the stuffed animals, is to visit a thrift shop and purchase stuffed animals (that are pet friendly), wash/dry them and let the dog have at it. If it gets destroyed, I’m not out a lot of money every time!
we also have a pitbull we adopted last year (2008)
he can chew up anything, but i recently purchased a nylabone plus dura chew, plus massage nubs for powerful chewers and he has been chewing on it for about a week and so far so good. its bacon flavor and its a huge size but to even last a week is great and we are still going. maybe this would work for you. purchased a pet smart.
Two toys have lasted 4 years. One is a ball made from recyclyed tires that you can put treats in if you want. The name is in raised letters, so of course these have been chewed off, but the ball itself is in fantastic shape. The other is a stuffie, made from canvas. Someone earlier posted the name. We call it the “cat burglar” I have had to patch the bum twice, but overall it is in great shape..it even squeaks still! I got both at petsmart.
Thanks for the nylabone and canvas toy suggestions. Also, I recently purchased a burlap toy and they haven’t gotten through that.
Jeri gave me an idea and I searched for a bacon-flavored spray for toys. I found a raelly cheap one:
http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/product_detail.asp?pf_id=2039529&cm_mmc_o=2mHlCjCVdKCjCVdK2tzEEwklCjCWR2RJVRW&zmam=90031077&zmas=13&zmac=74&zmap=2039529
Destroy a tire in three minutes? Really? Seriously? 180 seconds and a steel-belted radial is destroyed? I have pits, and they have never come CLOSE to this kind of destruction. Don’t you think, honestly, that this is the kind of exaggeration that has lead to the “pit bull myths” that are today so rampant? The locking jaw myth, the “bite the handle off a cast iron skillet myth” and so on? I am the first to admit that pits are powerful, dynamic animals, but I think that someone who claims “expertise” in the breed needs to steer clear of exactly this sort of “attention getting” writing… if it’s not true (and this isn’t), it serves no one – certainly neither a misunderstood and much-maligned breed OR their responsible caretakers!
Oh, this comment was meant for moi. Thought it was someone else. Let me clarify that by “tire” I mean the tire toy by Mammoth. I thought that since I was talking about dog toys, that was clear.
You are certainly reading a lot into one little dog tip. Can my pits destroy it in THREE minutes – well, no, make it ten. It’s just a writing technique to grab the reader’s attention – I don’t HAVE to be literal. What if I said my dog wolfs down his food in a tenth of a second – same thing.
I love pits and am happy to consider myself an expert. Your leaps here do not make sense to me. I don’t think someone reading this who is neutral is going to suddenly be afraid of pits.
And, please – disagreeing opinions are encouraged but watch the tone. This made me bristle to say the least.