Wallet Test Blog

Douglas Hanna asked:


Several years ago, we owned a Dalmatian that went through normal dog toys faster than rain water through a down spout. We would buy him toys and buy him toys but they never seemed to last much more than a month. In some cases they would be gone in a week.

This got me into what's called indestructible dog toys - or tough dog toys - capable of keeping your pooch happy and gnawing away for months.

What I eventually discovered is that, to be honest, no dog toy is completely indestructible except maybe one made out of cast iron - assuming your dog would be happy with a cast iron chew toy. The fact is aggressive chewers like our Dalmatian will eventually chew up even the toughest of toys.

However, "indestructible" dog toys are better than standard dog toys simply because they end up costing you less because they last so much longer.

Here are the costs of three typical tough dog toys:

Stone Bone Durable Dog Toy -- $12.95

Hurley Indestructible Dog Toy -- $8.99

Kong Original Red Tuffy -- $8.99 for the large size

While that may seem a bit on the high side vs. toys that can cost $2.00 or less, these chew toys are really a bargain when you consider how long one will last versus cheap plush toys.

What to look for in a tough dog toy

Round dog toys are better than flat ones because it's just more difficult for a dog to destroy a round one than a flat one. Second, look for a toy made out of polyethylene as this tends to be stronger and harder to destroy - even by strong dogs such as our Dalmatian or a German Shepard. Also, make sure it won't splinter or fall apart and cut the dog's mouth or get swallowed and cause a gastric obstruction

Third, consider what your dog thinks is fun. Does it like to play tug-a-war or does it like to fetch things? If so, look for a toy that's chewable but also easy to throw. If your dog likes the water, get a toy that will float. On the other hand, if your dog likes to just lay around and chew, then the toy's durability should be your number one priority.

Also, the toy shouldn't be so small your dog could swallow it but not so big he or she can't handle it. You might also ask yourself how easy it would be to clean or wash.

If your dog is big into chewing, like our Dalmatian, you should consider a rubber toy like the Kong or the Nylabone or the Hurley Indestructible Dog Toy. While these toys are not truly indestructible, they will keep your dog chewing happily for many months.

What not to give your aggressive chewer

If your dog is a heavy chewer, you should stay away from stuffed dog toys or rope toys. These will eventually come apart and your dog could end up swallowing loose bits of rope, stuffing or even plastic eyes. And believe me, some dogs will swallow just about anything. Our Dalmatian once swallowed one of my wife's knee-high stockings and it plugged him up like a cork in a bottle. It cost us more than $500 to get him "unstuck."

Finally, be sure to check the dog toys from time to time for signs of wear. If the toy is looking frayed or seems ready to fall apart, just throw it away. You might also remember to rotate the dog toys from time to time to keep your dog interested.

Yuki Stevenson asked:


Since the holiday season is coming , buy a dog toy to keep your dog company. Just like kids, your dog may sense that the holiday season is near. With New Year, Thanksgiving and Christmas's coming, why not buy a dog toy for them and put it under the Christmas tree for them too? 

There are a large number of of different dog toys in the market. Here's a list of dog toys to help you choose a suitable toy for your pup. Whether they are small, big or medium size dogs, there will definitely be one to suit them.

a)Plush Dog Toys comes in different sizes and shapes. From sporting themes to toys that look like car and train, to hot dog and donuts shape like toy. Your dog will definitely be excited with all these fun stuffed toys lying on his dog bed. There's also nothing like a big dog toy and small dog toy to cheer your dog up and get him in the mood for this holiday season with buying a Christmas theme toy like Santa hats and candy canes plush dog toy .

b) For puppies who have teething problem, it is best to get them dog chew toys. Because if you don't take this precaution, your books and shoes may be destroyed by your pup.. There are numerous dog chew toys available.

Dog Kong Toys promotes jawrobics workout. It is also healthy, stimulating nose-to-tail workout for reflex and every muscle. Inside the Kong toy, you can stuff in healthy dog treats and when they managed to squeeze out the treats from the Kong toy, they can enjoy a delicious treat coming out from the Kong toy. It satisfies a dog's natural need to chew and also conditions the gum and cleans the teeth.

While there are Dog Kong toys, there's another chewable dog toy that has the durability. The rubbers used are non-splintering, non-toxic, non-abrasive and does not get sharp when chewed. The rubbers are made out of various shapes and these dog chew toys can be chilled in a deep freezer and be used all over again. The tough plastics consist of non-toxic water which are safe to be chews by all dogs.

When choosing cute dog toys, it is a must to know what type of size or toys that are best for your dog. If the dog you have is small, make sure the toys are not too big for them. Inspect the dog chew toys before buying one. This is to make sure that there are no small pieces that can fall off from the toy and choke your pet or strings that can come unraveled and wrap around your pet's neck.

This holiday season, cook up a scrumptious meal for your dog but let them eat in moderation. While it is fun to give them dog gifts, you can also consider giving them healthy dog treats and warm dog apparel to keep them looking hip, happy and healthy .