Best toys for dogs that chew
The best toys for a dog that chews heavily are genuinely durable, sized correctly for that dog, and made from a material that will not splinter or break into swallowable pieces under pressure. No toy is completely indestructible, so matching the toy to how hard your dog actually chews matters more than any single product claim.
Why dogs chew, and why it matters for toy choice
Chewing is a natural behaviour in dogs, not automatically a problem to fix. Puppies chew heavily during teething, and adult dogs often chew out of boredom, stress relief, or simply because they enjoy it, which means a determined chewer needs an outlet rather than just a toy taken away repeatedly.
Understanding why a particular dog chews helps match the right toy — a bored dog left alone for long periods benefits from something that holds their attention, while an anxious chewer may need a calming approach alongside a suitable toy rather than durability alone solving the behaviour.
What durability actually looks like
A genuinely tough toy is dense rather than hollow and lightweight, and solid rubber options tend to hold up far better to a strong chewer than a soft plush toy or a thin plastic one. Rope toys sit somewhere in between, wearing down gradually rather than shattering, though frayed rope should be replaced before strands become a swallowing risk.
No toy marketed as indestructible truly is for every dog — a strong enough jaw will eventually damage almost anything. Checking a toy regularly for cracks, splits or missing pieces matters more than trusting a durability claim on the packaging alone.
Safety and supervision
Choose a toy sized appropriately for your dog — too small and it becomes a choking risk, particularly once damaged or broken down. Avoid anything that splinters into sharp pieces, and remove a toy as soon as it starts to break apart rather than letting a dog finish it off.
Supervised chew time is worth building into the routine for a heavy chewer, particularly with a newer toy you have not tested with that dog before, so you can see how quickly it wears and step in if it starts to break down in a way that concerns you.
Rotating toys keeps interest up
A dog that seems to lose interest in a toy quickly is not necessarily a sign it needs to be tougher — rotating a small selection of toys, rather than leaving everything out all the time, often renews interest simply because a toy feels new again after a break.
Pairing a chew toy with a natural chew, such as a hide or plant-based option, gives a determined chewer variety in both texture and taste, which can reduce the pressure on any single toy and make the whole routine last longer.
Built for dogs that do this
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Interactive Activity Ball Dog Toy with Cover
A bouncy activity ball in a tough zip-on cover that keeps dogs chasing, nudging and herding for hours.
From£23.99
Self-Moving Chew-Resistant Dog Ball
A USB-C rechargeable ball that moves on its own to keep dogs busy and active. Tough E-TPU construction stands up to chewing during supervised play, and the splash-resistant build suits indoor or outdoor use.
£15.99
Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs with Pump
A large inflatable herding ball with pump that taps into your dog's chase instinct.
From£19.99
Remote-Controlled Jumping Ball Dog Toy
A self-rolling, light-up ball that jumps and rolls to keep dogs entertained. A paw-shaped remote sets three activity gears, so both small and large dogs can chase and play. Rechargeable and tough against chewing.
From£19.99
Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs
A large inflatable ball too big for a dog to pick up, with a bite-resistant double-layer shell that slow-deflates if punctured, for high-drive chasing and nudging.
£23.99
Inflatable Herding Ball with Handles for Dogs
A large, tough inflatable herding ball that taps into your dog's natural chase-and-nudge instinct. Reinforced bite-resistant fabric and grab handles make it great for active outdoor play with medium and large breeds.
£29.99
Durables Toy Crocodile
The crocodile from Red Dingo's Durables line: solid hardware, hard-wearing materials and a five-year manufacturer guarantee, which is rare enough to be the reason to buy.
£20.49
Tuffy Junior Zoo Hippo
A junior-sized Tuffy hippo built in bonded layers with webbed, multi-row stitched seams, light enough for smaller dogs and puppies, that floats and is machine washable.
£18.99
No-Stuffing Crinkle Plush Dog Toy
A cuddly stuffing-free plush lion with built-in crinkle and dual squeakers to keep small and medium dogs entertained. Less mess if chewed open, and the soft body is machine washable for easy cleaning.
£10.99
Tuffy No Stuff Ultimate Ring Red Paw
Meet the Tuffy No Stuff Ultimate Ring Red Paw — one of the toughest dog toys we stock. Tuffy build their toys in multiple bonded layers with several rows of stitching and protective webbing on the seams, so they stand up to serious chewers far better than an ordinary plush. They float, and they’re machine washable (air dry).
£13.99
Chase Buddy Boredom Busting Dog Toy
A sturdy chase toy for dogs left alone for short spells, redirecting the energy that turns into barking, pacing and chewed skirting boards into active play.
£23.99
Foam Popcorn Ring Dog Tug Toy
A lightweight, springy ring tug toy made from soft ETPU popcorn foam. It floats, bounces and is easy to throw and catch, making it ideal for fetch, tug-of-war and active outdoor play.
From£7.99
Common questions
- Why does my dog destroy every toy I buy them?
- Some dogs simply have a strong jaw and a determined chewing style that most toys are not built to withstand. Choosing genuinely dense, solid options over soft or hollow ones, and matching the toy's marketed toughness to your dog's actual chewing strength, usually helps more than switching brands repeatedly.
- Is it safe to leave a heavy chewer alone with a tough toy?
- It depends on the toy and the dog. Even a genuinely durable toy is worth checking regularly for damage, and a newer toy is best introduced under supervision first so you know how your dog handles it before leaving them with it unsupervised.
- What should I do if my dog swallows a piece of a chew toy?
- Contact your vet promptly, even if your dog seems fine, since a swallowed piece can cause a blockage that is not obvious straight away. Mention what the toy was made from, as that can affect what your vet advises.
- Are natural chews better than toys for heavy chewers?
- They serve a slightly different purpose — natural chews tend to be consumed gradually, while toys are for repeated play and chewing over time. Many owners find a mix of both gives a heavy chewer the most satisfying and varied outlet.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.