It doesn't come as a surprise to pet owners that dogs love to chew. Chewing comes naturally for them, and if their needs are not met, then your favorite shoes or your house cables may suffer the wrath of their teeth! This is especially true if you have a puppy.

For those of you who are newer to the pet parent world, it may come off as a shock that some pet owners spend a fair amount of money replacing dog toys and chew items. Oftentimes, it's not even due to their dog's destructive tendencies, but a dog's never-ending desire to chew.

WHY DO DOGS LIKE TO CHEW?

If you're an experienced dog owner or have grown alongside your pup, you're probably aware of the situation wherein you come home after a hard day's work, and your dog greets you, full of unmatched energy, with his tail wagging. Wanting to decompress from a stressful day, you caress your dog and provide him with TLC as soon as you step inside.

After all, there's nothing better than a snuggle session with your pooch.

Unfortunately, your moment of affection is cut short, as something catches the corner of your eye.

Pieces of cotton lay on the floor, leaving a trail of debris on your expensive, now tattered, couch cushions.

Your dog may be well-behaved and trained in other aspects, but the innate drive to chew can be a hard habit to curb.

So, what influences destructive chewing in dogs?

Sometimes, boredom causes dogs to chew aggressively. Separation anxiety, especially for puppies for long periods, can be a significant source of stress for some dogs. Hunger can also be a considerable factor in a dog's aggressive chewing.

If you have a puppy, destructive chewing is often exacerbated by teething. In addition to stoking the drive to chew, puppies will chew on anything to help ease or relieve their pain. Frustration and a lack of mental or physical stimulation are also common contributors to destructive behaviors.

Now that we've identified some of the most common causes of chewing, let's head to the matter at hand – offering a workaround by providing indestructible dog toys for aggressive chewers.

THE PERKS OF DOG TOYS

Simply put dog toys and chew treats divert your dog's attention from expensive furniture to toys that were built for the job. There are various offerings, ranging from edible dental treats to nylon dog chews or nylon dog bones, squeaky toys, and ball-shaped toys. All of these serve a similar purpose – to provide mental stimulation to your dog and provide an outlet for any aggression, stress, or nerves your dog may be feeling.

REGULAR VS. INDESTRUCTIBLE CHEW TOYS: WHAT'S THE CATCH?

We all know by now that chew toys aren't a "want", but rather a "need" for our dogs. With this in mind, picking out the right chew toy can be a critical decision when it comes to sparing your expensive furniture.

Of course, there are standard, cookie-cutter chew toys available on the market today. These are easily found in pet stores and tend to be cheaper alternatives to the much sturdier toys. After all, less durable toys need less durable materials. These alternatives are often sold at general retailers and stores that don't specifically cater to pets, such as gas stations or rest shops.

AGGRESSIVE CHEWING

However, if your dog is a relatively aggressive chewer, chances are you'll need something a little sturdier. Studier materials, such as nylon or fire hose material, are made to withstand extreme forces, so their prices are likely to reflect those qualities. Be prepared to shell out a few extra bucks on these indestructible chew toys.

Bark Bone Natural Instincts, a nylon dog chew company makes some of the toughest nylon chews in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and flavors. Their chews are made with FDA-compliant, 100% pure nylon and are flash-sterilized with high-quality, human-grade flavorings. 

BOREDOM CHEWING

If your dog needs mental stimulation to keep him interested in his toys while you're away from home, consider dog treat toys. These types of dog toys challenge and make your dog work for their treats, keeping him occupied and entertained when you're away. The JW Twist-In Treats Dog Toy (shown right) is a great example of a puzzle dog toy that challenges dogs and makes them work for their treat. Other types of puzzle toys dispense treats as your dog paws at the toy. JW's Tumble-Teez is a fun treat toy that dispenses treats as your dog paws at the toy. Other treat toys provide more of a puzzle challenge for your dog to figure out how to get to the treat. Since dogs are more active and "paws-on" with these types of toys, they are typically made with durable and sturdy materials.

ALWAYS SUPERVISE YOUR DOG WHEN NEW TOYS ARE INTRODUCED

Indestructible dog toys provide peace of mind beyond protecting your couch, as well. However, choking is a common risk with standard, run-of-the-mill dog toys. Some offerings include poorly made attachments or pieces that may eventually break or detach due to chewing pressure. The risk of choking or blockage may be exacerbated by the types of materials and chemicals involved in the toy's construction and processing. It's important to remember that no dog toy is truly indestructible. No matter how tough a toy more seem, every dog's chewing temperament is different. This is why you must always monitor and supervise your pet anytime new toys are introduced. After about an hour of play, you should be able to tell if it will stand up to your dog's chewing. Remember, only you know your pet. Be sure to use good judgment when leaving your pet alone with a toy. Be sure that it is truly strong enough to stand up to your pet's chewing temperament.

If you ever notice that your pet is chewing on a damaged toy with stuffing coming out or pieces broken off, immediately remove the toy from being chewed on. Once the toy is compromised, it's no longer safe for your dog to chew on or play with.

Indestructible toys are designed to withstand even the most aggressive of chewers. With a variety of shapes and sizes, these offerings provide both hours of run and dental relief, making them the perfect alternative to divert your dog's aggressive chewing tendencies from a treasured couch cushion to a toy especially reserved for your dog.

THE WRAP-UP

We can't stress it enough. Dogs love to chew! It's only right to invest in a good quality chew toy, not only to save your dog from boredom but also to protect some of your investments, such as your shoes and furniture! Just remember, if things get super aggressive and messy, seek help from your trusted veterinarian. There may be additional psychological or emotional issues to address.