Indestructible Dog Toys

The Quest for Indestructible Dog Toys

Does this scenario sound familiar to you? You visit your local dog supply in search of a few toys to keep Fido entertained. You spend $10.00 on a latex squeakie toy and a plastic T-bone steak and take them home to present to your furry friend. You think you've got things covered for at least a few weeks, only to find these brand new toys in shreds a few hours later. At this point you may be thinking it would have been easier to feed your dog that ten dollar bill directly and cut out the middleman.

You're not alone in your frustration. Some dogs have jaws that seem like they could chew through a truck bumper, so it's no wonder that the average dog toy doesn't last very long. If you're tired of wasting your money, consider investing in one of these nearly indestructible dog toys to keep your pet entertained for more than a day.

Kong Dog Toys

Kong dog toys are some of the strongest toys you'll find on the market. They're made from high density rubber that stands up to moderate and heavy chewers. The classic red Kong is easily recognizable after enduring in the market for so many years, and makes quite a serviceable chew toy. That said, if you happen to live with Godzilla in fur, even the red Kong will eventually begin to give way. For dogs this tough, you need to go with an Extreme Kong.

The Extreme Kong's black rubber composition is even stronger than the red, giving even the most voracious chewer a run for his dog biscuits. Great designs for this toy include:

• The Classic Kong: Just like the original Kong, this toy is designed to bounce wildly, and you can stuff it with treats to keep your dog busy for hours.
• The Goodie Bone: This is a standard bone-shaped chew toy designed to stand up to the strongest dog jaws.
• The Goodie Ship: Stuff this flying saucer with treats and give it a fling. Your dog will love his new UFO.

You can find these American made dog toys at many local pet supply stores, as well as Amazon.com.

Doggie Dooley Ball

If your dog goes through balls like water, give the Doggie Dooley a try. This toy is billed as the nearly indestructible dog toy. It's made from high-impact polyethylene and it's designed to stymie even the most hard core chewers. This is due largely to the size of the ball. Most dogs would be hard pressed to get their jaws around it. Instead, they wind up playing with it like more of a soccer ball, chasing it around the yard and house.

You can find the Doggie Dooley at Petsmart.com.

Zogoflex® Dog Toys

The Hurley

If your dog actually makes his way through a black Kong, hat's off to him. You're going to need something even more indestructible, and a Hurley may be just what you're looking for.

The Hurley is one of several toys made of a material from West Paw Design called Zogoflex®. This toy is shaped something like a drumstick, and if the reviews can be trusted, even dogs that have destroyed a Kong can't seem to make their way through one of these.

Other toys in the Zogoflex® line include:

• The Huck: This toy is a weighted and grooved ball that bounces in unpredictable directions. Let your dog chew it or enjoy a game of fetch together.
• The Zisc: This is the Zogoflex® version of the popular Frisbee.
• The Tux: This tough toy has an open section perfect for tucking dog treats into. Your dog will enjoy the mental stimulation of trying to free his biscuits almost as much as he'll enjoy eating them when he's successful.

You can purchase any of these toys directly from West Paw Design.

Are any of these dog toys truly indestructible? Perhaps not. If you give a determined dog enough time, he can probably chew the tires off a truck. However, these toys are the next generation of tough dog toys, so compared to lesser products, they're likely a better investment for your dog toy dollars.