Our 18 All-Time Favorite Dog Chew Toys to Keep Pups Busy

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• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

A dog’s gotta chew. It’s just a natural part of dog behavior. And most of us would rather have our pups direct that instinct and energy into a dog chew toy than our favorite pair of shoes. But how do you know which chew toy is right for your dog?

Chew toys are really beneficial for our dogs—they promote relaxation and relieve boredom, and they can even help with dental health. But choosing the right ones is important, since a poor quality or inappropriately hard toy can cause tooth damage or digestive problems. Observing your dog and their chew style is a good place to start—and for more, we’ve put together a guide on picking a quality toy for your pup.

We’ve pulled together a list of our favorite dog chew toys below, with a wide range of options for every size and every chew style.

Pet Parent Tip: Supervise your dog to make sure they don’t attempt to eat their toy. Eager and excitable dogs and puppies who use their mouths to explore should especially not be left alone.

Best Fill & Lick Chew Toy: Classic KONG

KONGs are a classic, and a list of favorite chew toys wouldn’t be complete without them. These sturdy puzzle toys come in a variety of sizes, but the concept is the same: you can stuff ’em with peanut butter, treats, or other dog goodies, and let your pup go wild trying to get them out.

Freezing a filled KONG toy makes the game last even longer. Some people use them to serve up regular meals as well—it works great as a slow feeder for speedy eaters. If your dog is a super chewer, go for the extra-durable Extreme KONG toy. Got a puppy? Try the puppy KONG instead. The purple line is for seniors, with the rubber designed to be gentler on your dog’s teeth and gums.

Notable features:

• Made from durable rubber
• Unique shape makes it roll in fun ways
• KONG has over 40 years of experience making dog toys
• There’s a version for all dogs, from puppies to seniors

Best Treat Holder for Short Snouts: West Paw Zogoflex Tux Treat

When your pup is ready to level up from the Classic KONG, this West Paw toy offers a mental workout with a handy pocket in the back for stuffing treats. This toy comes in three bright, easy-to-spot colors and is made from recyclable materials. It’s also durable, dishwasher-safe, and even floats in the water—a great puzzle to take to the lake or beach.

Notable features:

• 100% guaranteed against damage by West Paw
• Made of non-toxic, recyclable materials
• Comes in small and large sizes

Best Treat Puzzle for Strong Chewers: West Paw Qwizl

Dogs who are serious chewers tend to love this bone-shaped rubber toy, into which you can stuff a variety of treats according to the level of challenge you want to give your pup. Pet parents love it as a bully stick or similar treat holder, extending the life of treats that your pup might normally finish off quickly. It also works for healthy treats like carrots, a smear of dog peanut butter, or for freezing pupsicles.

Notable features:

• Two sizes, 5.5 inches and 6.5 inches
  Backed by West Paw’s “Love It” guarantee
  Recyclable—send it back to West Paw and they will use the material to make new toys

Best Durable Puzzle Chew: KONG Extreme Tire

For pups who like puzzles and chewing, this toy offers the best of both worlds. Similar to the classic cone-style KONG chew, the interior ring of this toy can be filled with treats for a fun mental activity. Pro tip: Fill it with peanut butter and toss it in the freezer for a couple of hours—your dog will really have a brain teaser to solve!

Notable features:

• Made with KONG’s super durable black rubber for extreme chewers
• Great for a game of fetch or a downtime activity
• Strong material that also has a bounce to it for extra fun

Best for Small Moderate Chewers: Nylabone Flexi Chew

So many chews are made for power chewers, but these hit a middle sweet spot, with a little give. They come in multiple sizes, including for tiny and small dogs. Nylabones rarely splinter or crack, and while some dogs may turn their noses up at synthetic chews—even if they smell like a chili cheese dog—plenty of pups love these.

Notable features:

• Extra-small for dogs up to 15 pounds, small for dogs up to 25 pounds
• Comes in various flavors
• Check the brand’s hardness scale to dial in on your pup’s preferences

Best for Teething Puppies: Nylabone Teething Pacifier 

Just like with human babies, doggy pacifiers are a great way to entertain and appease your puppy when they’re teething. This pacifier toy has grooves designed to soothe your pup’s aching gums and can even be frozen for extra relief. An added bonus? The nubs can reduce plaque and tartar, helping you introduce proper dental hygiene from the very start.

Notable features:

• Not for adult dogs or puppies with permanent, adult teeth
• Good for teething and maintaining healthy teeth
• Mouth-friendly shapes

Best Plush Chew for Medium and Large Dogs: Playology Scented Squeaky Bone

Plush toys usually aren’t for the toughest chewers, but pups with more average jaw power can have a good chew on this durable bone plush, which lets your pup enjoy the feeling of a soft, squeaky stuffie—just without the mess. Available in either peanut butter or beef scent, the all-natural smells are designed to keep your pup interested while they chew.

Notable features:

• Designed with strong yet soft corduroy on the outside
• A bite-resistant center offers extra protection for the squeaker
• Available in two sizes: medium and large

Best Eco-Friendly for Power Chewers: West Paw Hurley

Another great chew toy from Montana-based West Paw, the Hurley is built to last—and it will (one Rover pet parent has seen it last through one large and one medium-sized dog, plus guest dogs in between…and it’s still going strong, chew marks and all). Use it for tug, fetch (on land or water), or just plain chewing. Best of all, you can send an old toy back (eventually) so it will get recycled into new ones.

Key features:

• Comes in three sizes, from 4.5 to 8.25 inches long
• Extra-tough
• Dishwasher safe
• Backed by “Love It” guarantee

Best Chew Toy for Puppies: KONG Wild Knots

Fuzzy on the outside, tough on the inside, this sturdy bear is built with lots of interesting textures, sounds, and floppy parts to keep a puppy (or an adult dog who isn’t a power chewer) engaged for a while. It has a knotted rope and squeaker inside, and it comes in four sizes and three neutral color variations.

Key features:

• Four sizes, with the longest dimension from 6.5 (extra-small) to 12 inches (extra-large)
• Lots of textures for added interest
• Durable, like most KONG products

Best Natural Chew Toy for Super Chewers: Antler Chew

For pet parents wanting to go a more natural route, elk antlers offer an eco-friendly and sustainable option. They’re also practically odorless if you have trouble stomaching strong smells. Available in a variety of sizes, they’re suitable for small to large dogs. And while they’re known for being extremely long-lasting, they can splinter over time, so you’ll want to keep a watchful eye when using this chew toy.

Notable features:

• Eco-friendly; elk shed their antlers naturally
• Available for a variety of dog sizes
• Organic and long-lasting

Best Tough Chew Toy for All Dogs: Benebone Wishbone

Designed with food-grade flavors fused throughout the chew and shaped in an appealing wishbone, this Benebone toy provides a great alternative to edible chews. Made with durable nylon, it’s also known to withstand the jaws of power chewers. To maximize the toy’s shelf life (er, chew life), be sure to get the right size for your dog.

Notable features:

• Sizes range from tiny (for under 15 pounds) to giant, for dogs up to 120 pounds
• Designed so your dog can get a good grip on the chew with their paws
• Gives back: Benebone donates bones to shelters every week
• Comes in three food-grade flavors

Best Durable Chew Toy for Large Dogs: Nylabone Big Chew Monster Bone

In addition to being durable, this chew bone features small raised bristles that clean your dog’s teeth while they chew. It’s designed with aggressive chewers in mind. It’s also chicken-flavored to make it extra enticing for your pup.

A good investment for the toy box, this chew is made of long-lasting materials and can be easily cleaned with soap and water.

Notable features:

• Small bristles help remove plaque and tartar
• Made for dogs over 50 pounds
• They’re experts—Nylabone’s been making dog chews since 1955

Best Teeth-Cleaning Toy: Nylabone Dura Chew Textured Ring

Another dog chew toy by Nylabone, this durable ring is made especially for intense chewers. The unique texture and intriguing flavor are also designed to pique your dog’s interest. The ring shape makes it easy to fling across the yard for a game of fetch, but it also allows your dog to easily hold it while chewing.

Notable features:

• Flavored to entice your dog
• Texture engages a pup and helps clean teeth
• Comes in two different sizes

Best Engagement Chew Toy: Bullibone Spin-a-Bone (Verified Review)

Built with an elevated spinning base, the Spin-a-Bone proved wildly entertaining for our easily bored, one-year-old Samoyed tester. Spinning the Spin-a-Bone like a top will grab your dog’s attention, even if they aren’t a super chewer. We noticed our pup especially enjoyed the three-headed model, which allowed her to hold the toy down as she gently gnawed on it.

Notable features:

• No artificial dyes or flavoring
• Interesting spinning action and paw-holds
• Nylon helps clean teeth

Best Ball Chew Toy: KONG Rubber Ball Extreme

Compatible with the Chuckit! launcher, this KONG rubber ball claims to be the toughest and most durable dog ball on the market. Not only is it great for an action-packed game of fetch, but your dog can also safely gnaw on it between rounds of retrieving.

Notable features:

• Made in the USA with tough rubber that knows how to bounce
• Good for fetch and chewing
• Available in two sizes: small and medium/large

Best Fetch Chew Toy: Ruff Dawg Indestructible Big Dawg Barbell

Amp up your next game of fetch or tug-o-war with this bright neon toy that doubles as a chew. Even better? Its bright design and ability to float make this a fantastic water toy for you and your pup—ideal for dogs who love camping, beach time, and outdoor adventures.

Notable features:

• Best for dogs over 40 pounds
• Great for chewing and interactive play
• Made in the USA

Best Frisbee Chew Toy: KONG Classic Flyer

Made for enthusiastic dogs who love a high-energy game of fetch, this flexible flyer can stand up to your dog’s teeth while still being gentle enough to catch. While it is more chew-friendly than most other fliers on the market, you won’t want to leave your dog alone with it for hours.

Notable features:

• Soft and flexible
• Available in two sizes: large and small
• Made in the USA with natural and durable rubber

Best Rope-Style Chew Toy: Mammoth Cloth Rope Dog Chew Toy

Calling all dogs who like to play tug! This rope toy is made from durable, natural cotton that actually helps to clean dogs’ teeth while they play. Rope toys are especially great because they encourage interactive play between pups and their pet parents—helping build an even bigger bond.

Notable features:

• Comes in a variety of fun colors
• Also great for teething puppies
• Available in two sizes: medium and large

How We Chose Our Dog Chew Toys

The dog chew toys featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and
a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We prioritized products
our staff has reviewed and that were highly rated, with safe materials that are free of toxins and unlikely to damage teeth and gums with close supervision. As always, we’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated chewers, who are never stingy with their feedback.

More Dog Toys and Chews

• The Best Frozen Dog Toys for Teething Puppies, Cooling, and More
• We Reviewed the 13 Best KONG Dog Toys
• Are Dog Chews Safe? Experts Weigh In on Bully Sticks, Bones, and Rawhide