Warning: Kong toys are NOT indestructible

[Sharon]

Kong makes tough toys with a good reputation. However, my 12-month-old mini-labradoodle and I were playing toss with a new Kong round yellow ring intended for retrieval and as a float toy. Mattie lay down with the toy and gave it a few hard chomps and with a stripping motion tore off a piece about 3"x1". When I realized she had something loose in her mouth, I tried the "drop it" command -- uselessly. She gulped it on down. I hoped it was chewed up and would pass through her digestive system, but by morning she was sick and we went straight to the vet. Surgery was required. Two days later, back home recuperating, Mattie tore a small piece off the rim of the Kong treat toy she'd had intact for months -- a toy that still was appropriate to her weight, according to the package. I try to be vigilant and examine her toys often. So I've discarded or put away all toys except the Big Bone nylabone (pirate on the package), her use of which I'm supervising. CAN ANYONE SUGGEST A SAFE TOY FOR A POWER CHEWER? Thanks.

[Betty]

Winston is a power chewer extrodinaire as well. He has eaten through the seemingly indestructible chews from Nylabone, Kongs, you name it...

We recently found two great toys, however, that Winston can chew on and we have thrown out all the others, including nylabones and kongs - they two ones are:

1. Himalayan chew (it's a smoked cheese curd). It takes him about a week or two to get through a 4 - 5 inch stick.

2. Antler Chews. It takes him about 3 weeks to get through a 5 - 6 inch stick. This product is great because it doesn't leave any messy residue on your floors or carpet, it's easily digestible, and it doesn't smell. I only give him the antler chews when he is on carpet as it would scratch any type of wood flooring.

[Jeri]

Mine is a power chewer too. We supervise all of the toys, except the Nylabones. They seem to do well. Wow a kong toy chewed apart.

[Debbie & Cotton Clegg]

I have seen The Almost Indestructable Ball on the Petsmart site but haven't tried it. Has anyone else had any experience with that one?

[Sharon]

Both Kongs were the strong rubber. The first looks like a yellow doughnut about 5 inches in diameter (sold packaged in pairs); the second was the original, bulb shaped treat holder. The "doughnut" is the one that caused Mattie's problem. Thanks for the responses, y'all.

[Debbie and Thomas]

This is scary-was it made of the strong rubber?? My sisters lab chewed his Kong (largest size available) in half one evening. she called them and they sent her a new and improved one and a bunch of coupons. I would call their 800 number and complain if I were you-especially since she needed surgery.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Wow, that is good to know. I never really check Yankee's toys but he doesn't usually eat them after he shreds them.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Oh my! That is scary. I am fortunate that Abby always puts small things in her mouth (I have a 4 and 5 yr old) but she doesnt swallow anything, just spits it out and moves on to the next thing.

[Adina P]

I am searching the kong site for a photo of the toy you are describing but can't find it. Does it look like tennis ball material or is it the strong rubber? I think that unless a toy clearly says it is made FOR chewing, I pretty much assume it will be destroyed. Mine have done will with the strong nylabones and sterilized (hollow or stuffed) REAL bones, but depending on their chewing style they may break of tiny sharp pieces of the real bones too. Luckily, our Thule, is the only one that on rare occasion will break off a bone chunk but she doesn't try to chew it...she just leaves it on the ground. Also if you check the "Reviews" section of our site you'll find some recommendations for other toys that work well for others.