Dog toy safety checklist

By BestPetsCo Editorial Team · Last updated: September 9, 2026

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Dog toys should be fun - not a vet visit. Use this quick checklist before you buy.

1) Size matters

• Too small = choking risk.
• For strong chewers, go bigger than you think.

2) Match the chewing style

Some dogs gently nibble, others destroy. For "power chewers," look for reinforced seams, thicker rubber, and fewer weak points.

3) Watch the weak parts

• Squeakers, stuffing, rope frays, hard plastic pieces.
• Discard toys that are breaking into chunks.

4) Materials & smell

A strong chemical smell is a red flag. Prefer reputable brands with clear material descriptions.

5) Supervision

No toy is indestructible. Supervise, especially with new toys, and rotate toys to reduce boredom.

Related: Indestructible dog toys (guide).

Use a first-session inspection routine

Watch how your dog attacks a new toy before deciding it can stay in the rotation. Some dogs compress with the back teeth, some peel at an edge and others work on seams until they open. The failure mode matters more than a marketing label such as “tough” or “indestructible.”

• Check that the whole toy cannot pass behind the front teeth or lodge across the mouth.
• Remove tags, loose string and detachable packaging before play.
• Inspect seams, punctures, cracks and missing material after the first few minutes.
• Retire the toy when pieces can be swallowed, stuffing or a squeaker is exposed, or hard edges become sharp.

Harder is not automatically safer

Very hard chews can be a poor fit for puppies, senior dogs and dogs with worn, fractured or sensitive teeth. A toy that lasts longer is not a win if it creates a dental or swallowing risk. Ask your veterinarian about an appropriate texture when your dog has dental disease or bites down with extreme force.

Keep a simple toy record

Note the material, size, purchase date and how the toy failed. That makes the next choice more specific: a larger version for a swallowing risk, a rounded shape for an edge-peeler, or a different material when a dog cuts chunks from soft rubber. No toy should be left unsupervised solely because it survived earlier sessions.