While chew toys are often associated with larger dogs, small dogs enjoy playing with them, and some are heavy chewers. Chew toys have many benefits, including relieving boredom, protecting furniture and household items, and promoting dental health.

Although chew toys are abundant for medium and large dogs, options are a bit more limited for small dogs and toy breeds. So, finding a chew toy that your small dog will like can be challenging.

We’re here to help and have reviews of some of the most popular chew toys for small dogs. We’ll also go over the chew toys commonly sold in pet stores and what factors to consider when shopping for new toys for your dog.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Chew Toys for Small Dogs

1. JW Pet Chompion Dog Toy – Best Overall

This JW Pet Chompion Dog Toy is an excellent toy to introduce to your small dog. It has a fun dumbbell-shaped design that your dog can easily grip, toss, and bounce around. The toy has grooves and nubs that help promote healthy teeth and gums. The sides have holes where you can place treats inside.

The material is certified non-toxic and soft enough for teething puppies to chew on. The Chompion is infused with a tasty vanilla flavor to encourage chewing. You can also spread peanut butter or other dog-friendly foods between the grooves to promote longer play.

The only setback with this toy is that it may be too large for some toy-breed puppies to grip and chew. However, with all the ways to play with the JW Pet chew toy, we still consider it the best overall chew toy for small dogs.

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2. Nylabone Bacon Flavored Dog Chew Toy – Best Value

The Nylabone Power Chew Bacon Flavored Dog Chew Toy is the best chew toy for small dogs for the money because you get a lot of benefits while paying a budget-friendly price. It’s available in extra-small and small sizes, so most small dogs and toy breeds can play with it. It’s made with long-lasting nylon and has a tasty infused bacon flavor, and you don’t have to replace it unless your dog completely destroys the toy.

While the Nylabone becomes more textured as your dog continues to chew it, it initially has a smooth texture. So, your dog may have difficulty gripping it or may not find it as fun as other chew toys with more details and features.

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3. Benebone Fishbone Dog Chew Toy – Premium Choice

Benebone is a reputable dog toy brand that produces high-quality products. This fishbone chew toy provides a fun experience for dogs and can last for weeks. It’s easy to grip and has a savory salmon flavor that dogs enjoy gnawing on. The scent is barely noticeable for humans, so you don’t have to worry about your carpets and furniture having a fishy odor.

The Benebone is a safe alternative to rawhide, and your dog can continue to chew on it and let it wear down. However, it’s important to examine the toy each time your dog plays with it because it can develop sharp edges that can scratch your dog.

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4. KONG Puppy Dog Toy – Best for Puppies

This KONG toy is a classic and a staple for many puppy owners. It’s made with soft, durable, all-natural rubber designed for teething puppies. The design promotes safe chewing and keeps puppies entertained for a long time. You can stuff the inside with treats and use it as an enrichment toy. The toy’s shape causes erratic bouncing, making it even more fun for puppies.

Overall, we love that this multi-functional toy offers several play styles. However, cleaning the inside can be a bit of work. It’s top-rack dishwasher safe, but gunk can still remain trapped inside.

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5. Hartz Chew ‘n Clean Tuff Bone Dog Chew Toy

This chew toy is another budget-friendly option that comes in extra-small and small sizes. It has a smooth, durable nylon border and a textured center with several nubs that massage your dog’s gums and fight plaque and tartar buildup.

The Tuff Bone is infused with a bacon scent to encourage chewing, and it’s easy for dogs to grip. It’s soft enough for puppies and older dogs to chew on and is safe for all life stages. However, it doesn’t withstand heavy chewing.

So, it’s especially important to supervise your dog while they chew the toy and replace it when a larger piece breaks off.

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6. PetSafe Bristle Bone Treat Dispense Dog Chew Toy

This toy is an excellent interactive option for puppies that get bored easily. It’s made with durable nylon and heavy-duty rubber to withstand heavy chewing. It has three kinds of chewing textures to keep dogs entertained for longer. The nylon nubs massage gums, and the nylon bristles brush your dog’s teeth as it chews.

You can also add treats to the PetSafe toy to encourage your dog to chew. It is easy to clean and top-rack dishwasher safe. However, it may be better to wash it by hand, as it can unscrew pretty easily if it’s been repeatedly treated roughly.

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7. Mammoth Braided Tug with TPR Ball for Dogs

This toy is a fun chew and interactive toy you can use to play tug-of-war with your dog. It has knots in various spots to help your dog grip it easily. It also has a fun rubber ball that your dog can chew on and bounce around. The rope is made with 100% cotton and is soft enough for older dogs to bite into. The rope fibers also help clean teeth, and they’re expertly woven to last against heavy chewing.

The Mammoth Braided Tug is great for tugging, fetching, and chewing. However, since it’s not flavored or scented, some dogs may not use it as a chew toy and prefer playing with it with their owners rather than by themselves.

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8. Ethical Pet Bam-Bones Plus Beef Tough Dog Chew Toy

This fun toy comes in a T-shape that helps dogs grip it while gnawing. One end has bumps that massage the gums as your dog chews. It has a tasty beef flavor that dogs enjoy and keeps them entertained for a long time.

While Bam-Bones toy incorporates bamboo fiber to strengthen it, it hasn’t consistently withstood the test against heavy chewers. It breaks apart pretty quickly when attacked by determined dogs. So, supervise your dog when you give them the toy to ensure they don’t ingest any large pieces.

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9. Petstages Dogwood Tough Dog Chew Toy

This toy mimics the shape and texture of a tree branch, and it can be a safer alternative for dogs that enjoy picking up sticks and twigs outside. It’s made with real wood and other non-toxic materials and has a natural wood smell. This smell often convinces dogs that like sticks to chew on it. However, it may be ineffective for dogs that prefer food flavors like bacon or beef.

You can also use the Petstages toy to play fetch with your dog. It floats on water, so it’s a great toy to bring to the beach or swimming pool. The small size is suitable for most small dogs, but if your dog has difficulty gripping it, you can try giving them the petite size instead.

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10. Gnawsome Squeaker Bone Dog Toy

This fun toy is a good option for puppies and older dogs. The soft rubber is fun for dogs to chew, and the nubs also massage the gums. However, this one won’t withstand heavy chewing like other, softer chew toys. The squeaker may also further encourage determined dogs to bite until they get it out of the toy.

The Gnawsome Squeaker is made with BPA-free, food-grade TPR rubber. The squeaker is on the louder side, so it’s best to let your dog play with the toy when no one in your home is sleeping.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Chew Toys for Small Dogs

As you can see, there are many kinds of chew toys for small dogs. It’ll probably take some experimenting to see which ones your dog likes. Here are some factors to consider when shopping for a new chew toy.

Material

Most chew toys are made with nylon or rubber. Softer materials are more suitable for puppies and older dogs, so you can focus on looking for toys made with thinner rubber or nylon fabric.

Dog toys can also be made with extremely tough material for heavy chewers. Just keep a watchful eye on your dog when they play with a new toy to ensure they don’t break off a large chunk and choke.

Texture

Chew toys come in all shapes and textures. Some are smooth, while others have grooves or bumps that help clean tartar buildup.

Some dogs prefer different textures, so it’s often helpful to try out several kinds of toys to see which one your dog likes the best. You can also spread peanut butter or yogurt on toys with grooves and nubs to make playtime even more enjoyable for your dog.

Flavor

Several toys have infused flavors, so dogs will chew on them longer. Common flavors include beef, chicken, and bacon. While flavored chew toys encourage dogs to chew, the flavor often dissipates before the toy wears down. So, you may replace them more frequently if your dog enjoys chewing primarily because of the flavor.

Treat Dispensing

Some chew toys have a treat dispensing component to encourage longer play. They typically have a small hole in which you can put small pieces of treats inside. They add an enrichment element that challenges dogs to use their natural instincts to retrieve a treat. Just make sure to use low-calorie treats or only fill these toys with a few treats to prevent your dog from gaining unnecessary weight.

Conclusion

Based on our reviews, the JW Pet Chompion Dog Toy is the best chew toy for small dogs because it’s durable and multi-functional. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Nylabone Power Chew Bacon Flavored Dog Chew Toy is a safe choice that many dogs enjoy. The Benebone Fishbone Dog Chew Toy is another fun option with a unique shape that’ll excite bored dogs.

Finding a chew toy that your small dog likes may take some time. However, the search is worth the effort because it can provide hours of fun and keep your dog happy and entertained.

• Related article: Do Dogs Think Their Stuffed Animals Are Real? Behavior & FAQ

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