The 12 Best Dog Chew Toys of 2026
By Michael Probert · Updated June 2026
A dog's gotta chew — the only question is whether it's a chew toy or your shoes. The right toy saves your belongings, cleans your dog's teeth, and quietly heads off boredom and anxiety. Here are the ones worth buying in 2026, matched to how your dog actually chews.
For almost every dog, the stuffable KONG Classic is the best all-round chew toy — it's a chew, a puzzle and a slow feeder in one. Power chewers want the KONG Extreme or a Benebone nylon chew; teething puppies need a soft puppy-specific chew; and for dental help, a textured nylon ring. Above all, never give a toy harder than your dog's teeth.
At Honest Hound, we didn't hand forty toys to a kennel of Labradors. We read the people who did — Rover, who tested chew toys with their own dogs, and Dogster's vet-collaborated reviewers — and cross-checked the safety guidance with veterinary dental sources and the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Here's the honest shortlist for 2026.
At a glance: all 12 picks
Prices shown as qualitative bands ($ = budget through $$$$ = investment) rather than exact figures, which change constantly. Tap any pick to jump to the full write-up.
How we chose (2026)
We're a research-led site: we don't buy or hands-on test toys, and we never claim testing we didn't do. For this guide we compared the chew toys most consistently recommended across reputable, independent reviews — Rover (which tested toys with its own dogs) and Dogster (vet-collaborated) — and cross-checked chew-safety and dental guidance with veterinary sources and the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). Read our full research method.
Why chewing matters — and the one safety rule to never break
Chewing isn't naughtiness; it's a deep natural behaviour that relaxes dogs, relieves boredom and anxiety, soothes teething puppies, and helps scrape plaque off teeth. Giving your dog the right thing to chew protects both your shoes and their wellbeing. But there's one rule that matters more than any brand: never give your dog a chew harder than their own teeth. A quick test is to press your thumbnail into it — if it won't dent at all, it's hard enough to crack a tooth. That rules out many antlers, hooves, hard bones and the hardest nylons. Reputable reviewers are blunt that an inappropriately hard toy can cause tooth damage, so favour firm-but-slightly-giving rubber and nylon, size the toy to your dog, supervise, and replace anything that's worn or cracked.
Types of chew toy, and matching them to your dog
The right toy depends on how your dog chews. Stuffable rubber toys like the KONG turn chewing into an enrichment puzzle and suit nearly everyone. Durable nylon chews (Benebone, Nylabone) last for dedicated gnawers, while tough rubber (KONG Extreme, West Paw) handles serious "crusher" chewers. Rubber balls and fetch toys survive chewing between throws; rope toys add tug and a bit of dental floss; plush chews give soft-toy lovers something squeaky that won't explode; and puppy teething chews are made soft for developing mouths. Watch your dog's style — crushers who bite down hard want rubber, shredders who tear want nylon — and you'll pick well.
The 12 best dog chew toys, ranked
Our picks run from the stuffable all-rounder almost every dog should own, through tough chews for power chewers, to balls, rope, plush and puppy options. Each entry says who it's really for.
KONG Classic
Best OverallWhat it is. The iconic hollow red-rubber toy you stuff with treats, peanut butter or kibble — chew toy, slow feeder and boredom-buster in one, with a version for every age.
- Durable natural rubber
- Hollow centre to stuff and freeze
- Erratic bounce for play
- Lines for puppies, adults, power chewers (Extreme) and seniors
- 40+ years on the market
- Rover's Best Fill & Lick pick — the universal standby
- Stuff-and-freeze keeps dogs busy
- A size and firmness for every dog
- A determined power chewer needs the tougher Extreme version
- Treats add calories
Why it's on the list: Rover calls the Classic KONG a standby for dog parents everywhere — the single most versatile chew toy, doubling as an enrichment puzzle and a slow feeder. Just match the line (puppy, classic, Extreme, senior) to your dog.
Check price on AmazonKONG Extreme
Best for Power ChewersWhat it is. The Classic KONG's tougher sibling, made from KONG's ultra-durable black rubber for dogs that destroy everything else — still stuffable and freezable.
- Extra-durable black rubber
- Hollow, stuffable centre
- Erratic bounce for fetch
- Medium to extra-large sizes
- Stuff and freeze for a longer challenge
- Built for serious chewers
- Same stuff-and-freeze enrichment as the Classic
- Bounces for fetch
- Heavier and pricier than the Classic
- Overkill for a gentle chewer
Why it's on the list: Rover recommends stepping up to the Extreme (black rubber) for super chewers — the durable-rubber benchmark that survives jaws which shred ordinary toys, while still working as a treat puzzle.
Check price on AmazonBenebone Wishbone
Best Tough Nylon ChewWhat it is. A durable nylon "bone" with food-grade flavour fused right through it and a wishbone shape designed so a dog can grip it with their paws — a clean alternative to edible chews.
- Durable nylon, flavour throughout (bacon, chicken, peanut)
- Paw-grip wishbone shape
- Sizes from tiny (≤15 lb) to giant (≤120 lb)
- Brand donates bones to shelters
- Rover's Best Tough Chew and Dogster's Best Overall
- Long-lasting; the paw-grip shape really helps
- Gives back to shelters
- It's for chewing, not fetch
- Size it correctly, and replace it once worn
Why it's on the list: Cross-named by Rover (Best Tough Chew) and Dogster (Best Overall), the Benebone's flavour-through-nylon and clever wishbone grip make it the standout long-lasting chew — just buy the right size and retire it when worn.
Check price on AmazonWest Paw Hurley
Best Eco-Friendly Tough ChewWhat it is. One of West Paw's toughest chews — a recyclable rubber bone for tug, fetch (on land or water) and plain chewing, backed by a damage guarantee.
- Tough, recyclable Zogoflex rubber
- Floats; dishwasher-safe
- Three sizes (4.5–8.25 in)
- "Love It" guarantee; send old toys back to be recycled
- Rover-tested to last through multiple dogs
- Guaranteed against damage
- Eco-friendly and dishwasher-safe
- Premium price
- Some dogs prefer a softer mouth-feel
Why it's on the list: Rover's Best Eco-Friendly pick — a Montana-made recyclable rubber bone tough enough to outlast several dogs, doubling as a tug and fetch toy, with a genuine damage guarantee.
Check price on AmazonWest Paw Qwizl
Best Treat-Holder for Strong ChewersWhat it is. A tough rubber bone with a slot that holds bully sticks or smearable treats — a chew and a food puzzle in one, made to outlast a serious chewer.
- Extra-tough Zogoflex rubber
- Slot holds bully sticks, carrots or peanut butter
- Great for freezing
- Two sizes; recyclable with a "Love It" guarantee
- Rover's Best Treat-Puzzle for strong chewers
- Extends the life of treats and bully sticks
- Recyclable and guaranteed
- Premium price
- You'll want treats or a stick to make the most of it
Why it's on the list: Rover's Best Treat-Puzzle pick — the Qwizl turns a quick treat or bully stick into a long, brain-engaging chew for dogs strong enough to destroy softer puzzles.
Check price on AmazonNylabone Power Chew Textured Ring
Best for Teeth CleaningWhat it is. A durable nylon ring with a textured, flavoured surface that scrubs at plaque while your dog chews — easy to hold and easy to fling for fetch.
- Tough nylon for intense chewers
- Textured surface helps clean teeth
- Flavoured to keep interest
- Ring shape for grip and fetch; two sizes
- Cross-named by Rover (Best Teeth-Cleaning) and Dogster
- Durable
- The texture does double duty on plaque
- Hard nylon isn't for gentle chewers
- Replace if it wears or cracks
Why it's on the list: Rover and Dogster both pick the Nylabone textured ring for dental benefit — a tough, flavoured nylon ring whose texture scrubs teeth while it keeps a power chewer busy.
Check price on AmazonNylabone Puppy Teething Pacifier
Best for Teething PuppiesWhat it is. A soft-but-durable puppy chew with grooves that soothe aching gums — freezable for extra relief, with nubs that start good dental habits early.
- Designed for puppy (not adult) teeth
- Grooves soothe sore gums
- Freezable for extra relief
- Gentle nubs help reduce plaque
- Rover's Best Teething pick
- Eases teething pain
- Introduces dental care from the start
- For puppies only — switch to an adult chew once the grown-up teeth are in
Why it's on the list: Rover's Best Teething chew — a gum-soothing, freezable puppy pacifier that turns the misery of teething into a safe, dental-friendly habit; just retire it when the adult teeth arrive.
Check price on AmazonChuckit! Ultra Rubber Ball
Best Fetch BallWhat it is. A high-bounce natural-rubber ball that survives chewing, floats, cleans easily and works with a launcher — a tougher take on the classic fetch ball.
- Durable natural rubber, very high bounce
- Floats and cleans easily
- Launcher-compatible
- Value two-pack; bright, easy-to-spot color
- Dogster's Best Value
- Tough enough for chewing between throws
- Floats for water play; cheap in a two-pack
- It's a fetch ball, not a dedicated chew
- Don't leave a determined chewer alone to gnaw it down
Why it's on the list: Dogster's Best Value — a rugged, high-bounce rubber ball that stands up to chewing between throws and floats for water fetch, at a low two-pack price.
Check price on AmazonPlayology Scented Plush Squeaky Bone
Best Plush ChewWhat it is. A durable plush bone with a bite-resistant squeaker core and an all-natural scent baked in — the comfort of a stuffie without the explosion of fluff.
- Strong corduroy outer
- Bite-resistant centre protecting the squeaker
- All-natural peanut-butter or beef scent
- Two sizes (medium, large)
- Rover's Best Plush pick
- Satisfies dogs that love soft squeaky toys
- Far tougher than a normal stuffie
- Not for the toughest power chewers
- Supervise to be safe
Why it's on the list: Rover's Best Plush chew — a scented, squeaky plush bone built to survive an average chewer, giving dogs the soft-toy experience without the usual mess of stuffing.
Check price on AmazonMammoth Cloth Rope Tug
Best Rope & TugWhat it is. A natural cotton rope toy for tug-of-war that also flosses your dog's teeth as they chew — and builds a bit of bonding into playtime.
- Durable natural cotton rope
- The fibres help clean teeth
- Great for interactive tug; good for teething puppies too
- Two sizes; fun colors
- Rover's Best Rope pick
- Encourages bonding through interactive play
- Doubles as a gentle dental floss
- Rope toys fray
- Supervise and bin it before loose strands can be swallowed
Why it's on the list: Rover's Best Rope toy — a natural-cotton tug that cleans teeth as dogs chew and builds the owner-dog bond through play; just retire it once it starts to fray.
Check price on AmazonPetstages Dogwood
Best Stick AlternativeWhat it is. A stick-shaped chew made from real wood blended with safe synthetic material — the satisfying taste and feel of a stick, without the splinters of the real thing.
- Real-wood-and-synthetic blend
- Stick shape and woody flavour
- Non-toxic; safer and less messy than a real stick
- Multiple sizes
- A Dogster pick
- Scratches the stick-chewing itch safely
- Non-toxic; floats for fetch
- Not as durable as nylon or hard rubber
- Small pieces can shave off, so supervise
Why it's on the list: A Dogster pick for stick-lovers — the Dogwood gives the taste and gnaw of a real branch without the splintering risk, though it's best supervised since pieces can shed.
Check price on AmazonRuff Dawg Indestructible Barbell
Best for Big Power-FetchersWhat it is. A nearly indestructible neon-rubber barbell that doubles as a chew, a fetch toy and a tug — and floats — built for big, boisterous dogs.
- Tough USA-made rubber
- Doubles as chew, fetch and tug
- Floats for water play
- Bright neon for visibility; best for dogs over 40 lb
- Rover's Best Fetch pick
- Extremely durable
- Floats for beach and lake days; versatile
- Sized for bigger dogs
- Firm rubber isn't for gentle mouths
Why it's on the list: Rover's Best Fetch chew — a near-indestructible floating barbell that takes fetch, tug and chewing in stride for large, high-energy dogs.
Check price on AmazonChew safety: the rules that matter
- Nothing harder than a tooth. If your thumbnail can't dent it, it can fracture a tooth. Be wary of antlers, hooves, hard bones and the hardest nylons.
- Size up, never down. A toy small enough to fit fully in the mouth is a choking risk. Buy the size rated for your dog's weight or larger.
- Supervise, especially at first. Watch how your dog attacks a new toy, and don't leave determined chewers or puppies alone with one.
- Retire worn toys. Replace anything cracked, frayed, or chewed small enough to swallow. Skip cooked bones entirely, and treat rawhide with caution.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dog chew toy?
For almost every dog, the stuffable KONG Classic is the best all-round chew toy — it doubles as an enrichment puzzle and a slow feeder. Serious chewers want the tougher KONG Extreme or a Benebone nylon chew; teething puppies need a soft puppy-specific chew; and for dental help, look at a textured nylon ring. The best toy depends on your dog's size, age and how hard they chew.
How hard should a dog chew toy be?
Here's the rule vets repeat: never give your dog anything harder than their own teeth. A good test is to press your thumbnail into it — if it doesn't give at all, it's hard enough to fracture a tooth. That rules out many antlers, hooves, very hard nylon and real bones. Reputable reviewers warn that an inappropriately hard toy can damage teeth, so favour firm-but-slightly-giving rubber and nylon, and supervise.
Are antlers, bones and rawhide safe for dogs?
Be cautious. Antlers and real bones are hard enough to crack teeth and can splinter; cooked bones are especially dangerous and should never be given. Rawhide can be a choking and blockage risk and is digested poorly. None are outright banned, but they carry real risks — many owners prefer durable rubber or nylon chew toys, and for edible chews, choosing a digestible option and supervising closely is wise.
How do I choose a chew toy for a power chewer?
Match the material to how your dog chews. "Crusher" dogs that bite down hard do best with tough rubber like the KONG Extreme or West Paw Hurley; "shredder" dogs that tear do better with durable nylon like the Benebone. Always size up — a toy that's too small is both easier to destroy and a choking risk — and replace any toy once it's chewed down or cracked.
Do chew toys help clean a dog's teeth?
Chewing does help: the abrasive action scrapes at plaque, and some toys (textured nylon rings, rope) are designed to assist. For edible dental chews, look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance, which means the product passed trials proving it reduces plaque or tartar. But no toy replaces tooth-brushing and professional cleanings — think of chews as a helpful extra.
What chew toys are safe for a teething puppy?
Use a chew made specifically for puppy teeth, like a soft teething pacifier — adult chews are too hard for a puppy's developing mouth. Freezing a puppy chew or a wet rope adds soothing relief for sore gums. Switch to an adult chew once the permanent teeth are in, and always supervise a teething puppy, who explores everything with their mouth.
How often should I replace a chew toy?
Inspect chew toys regularly and replace them as soon as they're worn down, cracked, or small enough to swallow. Some tough toys (like the Goughnuts line) even build in a wear indicator. Rope toys should go in the bin once they start to fray, and any toy with pieces breaking off should be removed immediately — swallowed fragments are a choking and blockage risk.
General information only — not veterinary advice. Supervise your dog with any chew, and ask your vet about the right options for your dog's teeth and habits.
Sources: Rover — Best Dog Chew Toys (tested); Dogster — Best Dog Toys for Chewers; PetMD (vet-verified) — Dental Chews & VOHC; Veterinary Oral Health Council; AKC — Health. Last updated June 2026.