Pitbulls are an impressive and active breed that are favored by many dog lovers. Although they have developed a negative reputation, they are just as lovable as any dog breed out there. They just need to be trained and exercised every day and mentally stimulated using the best chew toy for Pitbulls.
People used to breed Pitbulls for dog fights. This is where its maligned reputation of being a vicious breed came about. The truth is that there is no breed that is inherently savage and dangerous.
Their aggressive temperament is usually the source of bad breeding practices. For example, some dogs were originally bred to be aggressive for dog fights.
After they are rescued, they are trained and re-homed if possible. Pitbulls are generally the opposite of the killer dog breed that strikes fear into people’s hearts. If taken into the right home, Pitbulls can be loyal, loving, and excellent companion dogs.
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Table of Contents
Best Chew Toy for Pitbulls Comparison
- KONG Rubber Ball Extreme
- Benebone Real Flavor Wishbone Dog Chew Toy
- KONG Dog Goodie Bone Extreme
- Nylabone Dura Chew Wishbone
Picking a Chew Toy for Pitbulls
All dogs have an instinctive need to play. As a pet parent, it is your responsibility to make time for some play periods to avoid unnecessary behavioral problems and to ensure that your dog gets enough exercise. You can take your dog for a run with you, take short walks in the morning and night, and let them socialize with other dogs in the park.
However, there may be times that you cannot simply go out of the house for a run maybe because of the weather or you are too busy with something else. To avoid letting your dog get bored, you can provide a chew toy for pitbulls to keep it busy. This will help alleviate their boredom and gives some mental stimulation even while they are inside the house.
This can also help alleviate aggression and behavioral problems in the future. But before you run to the pet store, make sure you know what are buying. The wide variety of chew toys can be overwhelming and you might just end up spending money on a chew toy that does not match your dog’s needs. To help you out, here are some things to consider before buying a chew toy for your dog. If you want to read more about chew toys, read our chew toys for puppies post.
Consider Your Dog’s Age
A puppy’s teeth are different from a full-grown adult. Choose toys with soft rubber to support your puppy’s teething. It is recommended that you provide your puppy with a variety of toys to keep him away from your shoes or anything he can get his jaws on.
Once the teething phase is done, you can switch to harder rubber and more durable toys to match your dog’s energy. You can check the packaging of the toys to make sure they are appropriate for your dog’s age.
There are also some exemptions. If you have a large dog that is already 10 years old, surely you won’t give it a chew toy made with ultra tough rubber, would you? It is going to be too hard for them to chew since they are already old and have weak teeth. In this case, it is okay to give your dog something like a plush toy or a nylon chew toy.
The Size of the Toy Should Match the Size of Your Dog
Ideally, the chew toy for pitbulls should match the size of your dog. A small toy is a choking hazard. It carries the risk of getting ingested when broken into pieces by a large and powerful dog such as a Pitbull. If the toy is too big for the dog, it might be too hard for him to play with or carry it in its mouth.
Adult Pitbulls have large jaws, so big toys and high-grade bone chews are ideally made for them. You just need to steer clear of delicate toys that can easily break or smaller toys that can pose as a choking hazard.
The Type of Toy
As you go through the toy aisle of your favorite pet supply shop, you should consider the type of toy you should buy for your Pitbull. Most of the time it depends on your dog’s personality. Some dogs love ball type toys for a game of fetch while some enjoy tugging toys, plush toys, or treats.
Ball types – There are several kinds of toy balls that bounce in distinct ways because of the material. There are balls made of rubber or foam. There are tennis balls, squeaker balls, glow in the dark balls, and plush balls. Remember to consider the size of the ball and if it matches your dog’s jaw size before you buy one that claims to be durable. Small balls of any kind and material is a choking hazard.
Plush toys – A lot of dogs love plush toys. Unfortunately, it is quite unsafe to let your dog play with plush toys while they are unsupervised. This type of toy can easily be ripped apart, swallowed, and ingested. Plush toys can still be fun as long as you are there to supervise playtime. You can also give a plush toy for your dog to snuggle up with in bed.
Tug Toys – A game of tug-of-war between dog and owner can be fun. Some may argue that this can trigger aggression, but if your dog is disciplined and fully-trained, there is nothing to worry about. It can also be used to train your dog to drop or release the toy on command. Just do not aggressively pull the toy in an upward motion where you can risk hurting your dog’s jaws.
Treats – While other toys are mainly for play time, some toys are specially made for chewing sessions. This type of chew toy for pitbulls is usually made of hard rubber or nylon material for a long-lasting session. Flavors usually vary for treats, but make sure the flavor is the right one for your dog. Some flavors may cause allergies or digestive problems.
Combination – There are toys that are made with hard rubber, but also have holes where you can put some treats for a more fun playtime. Just make sure your dog does not try to chew and swallow the whole toy. Supervision is needed until your dog learns what he can and cannot do.
Your Dog’s Personality and Energy Level
When you give your dog a variety of toys to play with at an early stage, you get to know them better. You will know what they like, their personality, their level of aggressiveness when it comes to toys, their jaw strength, and intensity of chewing. You will also notice which toys they enjoy the most.
Pay attention to which kind of toys your dog responds to the most. Spend time supervising chewing sessions when you first introduce a new chew toy. This will allow you to check if the dog enjoys the toy, prevent ingestion if the toy breaks into small pieces, and discover the right toy and material to give your dog next time.
Toughest Chew Toys for Pitbulls
KONG Goodie Bone
- Made from extremely tough KONG black rubber
- Great for large dogs
- Refillable with Stuff ‘N Snacks for treats
- Available in medium and large sizes
- Safe for puppies
The KONG brand is keeping up with its reputation of making the most sturdy chew toy for pitbulls. This KONG Extreme Goodie Bone is a perfect chew toy for large breeds dogs, especially those with large jaws like the Pitbull. The rubber is durable and ultra tough, but also safe to chew even for teething puppies. It can keep your dog busy even when kept inside the house.
It helps solve other issues such as boredom and separation anxiety as well. It also helps deter behavioral problems, digging, and barking. Not only that, to keep playtime even more exciting and fun, the dedicated holes on the ends of the bone can be filled with Stuff ‘N Snacks treat. The chew toy can withstand long and rough chewing sessions especially when your dog is trying to squeeze all the treats out.
Although this chew toy is branded as extremely durable, the middle part of the bone is quite softer than the ends. You might have to supervise your Pitbull first after giving him the chew toy to check how strong he gets, especially when trying to squeeze out remaining treats that get stuck in the middle.
Benebone Dog Chew Toy
- Dog-friendly design for better chewing
- With real flavors to choose from such as chicken, bacon, and peanut
- Not edible so chewing should be supervised
- Some proceeds of the sale will go to dog shelters and animal rescue centers
Benebone dog chew toys have a cleverly designed shape that will give your Pitbull a better chewing experience. The ergonomic design allows your dog to feel comfortable while chewing. The surfaces of the chew toy are designed to help promote healthy teeth and gums. The two handles can make tug-of-war fun as well.
It is made of nylon with real food flavors such as chicken, bacon, and peanut. The flavors are added to give the toy an irresistible scent. The chew toy for pitbulls, however, is not an edible treat. Because your Pitbull may not get enough of this toy, it will give you some peace and quiet inside the house while your dog is playing with the Benebone dog chew toy.
Benebone recognizes the risks of the nylon chew toy and so they recommend that dog owners should follow their guide and provide their dogs with a chew toy that is appropriate for their sizes. It is also advisable that dogs must be supervised while chewing the toy to avoid accidental breakage and ingestion. Also, make sure that your dog is not allergic to any of the components of the toy such as the flavors and the nylon.
As a way to give back to the community, some proceeds of the Benebone sales will go to dog shelters and animal rescue centers.
KONG Rubber Ball Extreme
- Made durable for rough chewing
- Available in two sizes
- Satisfies every dog’s need to play
- Makes playtime fun
- Available in two medium and large sizes
This is another KONG ultra tough chew toy recommended for dogs with very strong jaws. Its weight also makes it perfect for large breed dogs such as the Pitbull. The ball is made with hard rubber that is durable and can withstand long chewing sessions and rough playtime. As a bonus, it also has a little hole where you can put in some treats for your dog.
KONG is known to add more fun to playtime by creating chew toys where you can also put some treats in to keep your dog busy and happy. This will shift all your dog’s unwanted energy, especially if you do not have enough time to take him out for a run or long walks.
It is a ton of fun to play with especially if your dog enjoys a game of catch or if they just love ball types of toys. It won’t get ripped apart even if you leave your dog while they are playing. As for the price, it is reasonable considering the quality and durability of the chew toy.
Nylabone Dura Chew Wishbone
- High-quality toy made of nylon for aggressive chewers
- Helps clean your dog’s teeth and prevent tartar and plaque
- Makes playtime fun and discourages aggressive and destructive chewing
- Suitable for dogs up to 35 pounds
Nylabone Dura Chew Wishbone helps discourage aggressive chewing and establishes healthy chewing habits. It satisfies your dog’s need to chew while the raised bristles work to help prevent tartar and plaque. This is great for teething Pit Bull puppies. It will help alleviate the pressure and pain of the gums while they are in the teething stage.
This chew toy comes in varying sizes and flavors. Choose one that fits your dog’s size and flavor preference. Aside from promoting good dental health, it will help keep your dog from destructive chewing, enhance mental fitness, eliminate anxiety, and foster a positive pet-parent relationship. This is especially helpful if you do not have the time to take your dog out for a vigorous exercise.
Make sure to supervise your dog when you first introduce a chew toy to assess any issues such as if the chew toy’s durability matches your dog’s energy. The brand offers chew toys that can match the chewing strength of dogs.
Based on the pros and cons of all of these chew toys, we recommend the KONG Rubber Ball Extreme because it is the most durable and long lasting out of all the chew toys. While all of them have great attributes, a Pitbull is going to go through a lot of toys so it is best to combine treats and play into one durable KONG Ball.
Getting the best chew toy for Pitbulls may seem like a trial and error at first. But if you take note of all the information mentioned above, navigating through the toy aisle is easier. You must remember that playtime is an activity requirement for most dogs to keep them happy and healthy.