Chewing is a natural, healthy behaviour â it cleans teeth, relieves boredom, and soothes teething puppies. The trick is matching the chew toy to your dog's strength and chewing style, because the wrong toy is either destroyed in minutes or hard enough to crack a tooth. This guide covers safe materials, how to pick the right toughness, correct sizing, and the best options for puppies and power chewers.
Why chew toys matter
A good chew toy does more than entertain. It supports dental health by scraping away soft plaque, burns mental energy, and redirects chewing away from your furniture and shoes. For anxious or under-stimulated dogs, a satisfying chew can be genuinely calming â a useful tool alongside broader anxiety management.
Match the toy to your chewer
- Gentle chewers do fine with softer rubber and plush-hybrid chews.
- Average chewers want firm rubber or nylon toys that hold up to daily use.
- Power / aggressive chewers need extra-durable toys specifically rated for strong jaws â solid, single-piece designs with no small parts.
Buying a toy rated below your dog's chewing power is the fastest way to waste money and create a choking risk.
Safe materials and the "not too hard" rule
The best chews are durable but not rock-hard. A good rule of thumb: if you can't dent it with a fingernail or it would hurt to be hit on the knee, it may be hard enough to crack a tooth. Choose non-toxic materials, and avoid anything that splinters or breaks into swallowable shards. Always supervise a new chew until you know how your dog handles it.
Match toughness to your dog: firm rubber for everyday chewers, extra-durable designs for power chewers, and softer options for teething puppies. Browse current chew toys and compare durability.
Shop chew toys âSizing to prevent choking
Size is a safety issue, not just a comfort one. A chew toy should be too large for your dog to swallow or fit fully in the mouth. Size up rather than down, and retire any toy once it's been chewed down small enough to swallow or has broken into pieces.
Chew toys for teething puppies
Puppies chew relentlessly while teething. Softer, puppy-specific chews soothe sore gums and save your belongings â some can even be chilled for extra relief. Rotate a few options to keep things interesting, and pair chewing with training to build good habits early. See our best dog toys guide for non-chew enrichment ideas too.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying too soft for a power chewer â destroyed fast, and a swallow hazard.
- Choosing rock-hard chews that can fracture teeth.
- Ignoring size and offering something small enough to gulp.
- Not inspecting toys â retire them at the first sign of chunks coming off.
Track chewing and dental health with MyFurtopia
Chewing supports dental health â the MyFurtopia app helps you track it. Our AI Pet Health Scanner lets you log oral-health signs and habits and get a read on whether something needs a vet. It's free to try.
Download the MyFurtopia AppFrequently asked questions
What are the safest chew toys for dogs?
Ones sized too big to swallow, made of durable non-toxic material, and firm but with a little give â never so hard they crack teeth. Avoid splintering toys and always supervise new chews.
What chew toys are best for aggressive chewers?
Extra-durable toys made from tough rubber or reinforced materials rated for power chewers, in solid single-piece designs. Replace any toy that develops deep cracks or bite-off chunks.
Are chew toys good for teething puppies?
Yes â softer, puppy-specific chews soothe sore gums and redirect chewing from furniture. Some can be chilled for relief. Pick the right size and supervise your puppy.
This guide offers general product guidance only. Always supervise chewing, and ask your vet about suitable chews if your dog has dental issues or a history of swallowing objects.