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The Power Chewer Problem
If you have an aggressive chewer, you already know the pain. You buy a toy that claims to be "indestructible," and it's in three pieces by dinner. My two-year-old Australian Shepherd, Maple, has destroyed toys that were supposedly designed for pit bulls. She chews like it's her full-time job.
KONG, Benebone, and Nylabone are the three names that come up in every conversation about durable chew toys. They take fundamentally different approaches to the same problem. I've tested all three extensively with Maple and with the shelter dogs I work with at Multnomah County. Here's the honest breakdown.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | KONG Extreme | Benebone Wishbone | Nylabone Power Chew |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$15 | ~$10 | ~$13 |
| Material | Natural rubber | Real flavor-infused nylon | Nylon |
| Stuffable | Yes | No | No |
| Flavor | None (add your own) | Bacon (baked in) | Original |
| Bounce | Yes (erratic) | No | No |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes | No | No |
| Made in USA | No (designed in USA) | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Enrichment + chewing | Dedicated gnawing | Long solo chewing |
| Durability | Excellent | Very good | Good |
KONG Extreme
The KONG Extreme is the black version of the classic KONG, made from the most durable rubber formula they offer. It's designed specifically for power chewers, and it has held up remarkably well against Maple's jaws over six months of heavy rotation.
What makes the KONG fundamentally different from the other two is that it's stuffable. Pack it with peanut butter, freeze it overnight, and it becomes a 30-minute enrichment session, not just a chew toy. That dual purpose is huge. Maple gets mental stimulation and satisfies her chewing instinct at the same time.
The erratic bounce keeps fetch sessions interesting. The rubber is dishwasher safe, which is a practical advantage you don't appreciate until you've hand-washed a hundred dog toys.
The honest downside? The KONG itself has no flavor. Dogs chew it because of what you put inside, not because the rubber tastes good. Once the stuffing is gone, some dogs lose interest. Maple doesn't -- she gnaws on the empty KONG for another 10 minutes -- but dogs with less chewing drive might walk away.
Pros:
- Stuffable for enrichment and extended play
- Most durable rubber formula KONG makes
- Erratic bounce for interactive play
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
Cons:
- No built-in flavor (requires stuffing for interest)
- More expensive than the other two
- Some dogs lose interest once the filling is gone
Benebone Wishbone
The Benebone takes a completely different approach. It's a solid nylon chew toy with real bacon flavor baked throughout the entire material. Your dog isn't chewing toward a flavor -- every bite tastes like bacon. That's a significant advantage for dogs who just want to gnaw.
The wishbone shape is ergonomic. Dogs can grip one prong with their paws and chew on the other. I've watched Maple settle in with a Benebone and chew contentedly for 20 minutes without any stuffing or preparation needed. That's a big selling point. No freezing, no peanut butter, no cleanup. Hand it to your dog and walk away.
It's also made in the USA, which matters to some owners.
The downside is durability. The Benebone is tough, but it's not KONG tough. After about four weeks of daily chewing from Maple, the ends were visibly worn down. Benebone recommends replacing the toy when the knuckle ends get thin enough that pieces could break off. Budget for replacement every month or two with an aggressive chewer.
Buy Benebone Wishbone on Amazon
Pros:
- Real bacon flavor baked throughout (not just a coating)
- Ergonomic shape dogs can grip easily
- Zero preparation needed
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- Not stuffable (single-purpose chew toy)
- Wears down faster than KONG with heavy chewers
- Must be monitored and replaced when worn
- Not dishwasher safe
Nylabone Power Chew
Nylabone has been in the game longer than anyone. The Power Chew line is their answer to aggressive chewers, and it takes a slow-destruction approach. As your dog chews, the nylon surface develops small bristle-like textures that actually help clean teeth. It's designed to be consumed gradually over time.
My Benny (nine-year-old lab/pit mix with hip dysplasia) prefers the Nylabone over the other two. It's gentler on his aging teeth while still satisfying his chewing instinct. The knuckle bone shape gives him multiple angles to work. At the clinic, I often recommended Nylabones for senior dogs who still need to chew but don't have the jaw strength they used to.
The downside is that Nylabone is the least durable of the three for truly aggressive chewers. Maple worked through the medium size faster than I expected. The nylon is also harder than KONG rubber, which means it's louder on hard floors and could potentially damage teeth if your dog is an extremely aggressive biter. Monitor for excessive wear and replace when the ends get thin.
Buy Nylabone Power Chew on Amazon
Pros:
- Develops tooth-cleaning bristles as dog chews
- Good for moderate to strong chewers
- Multiple grip angles with knuckle bone shape
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Least durable of the three for extreme chewers
- Harder material may be loud on floors
- Must be monitored and replaced when worn
- No built-in flavor or stuffing option
Other Options Worth Considering
KONG Classic (Large)
If your dog is a moderate chewer rather than an extreme one, the standard KONG Classic in red rubber might be all you need. It's slightly softer than the Extreme, which makes it better for puppies, senior dogs, and average chewers. Same stuffable design, lower price.
Goughnuts Maxx Ring
For the absolute most extreme chewers -- dogs who destroy everything else on this list -- the Goughnuts Maxx Ring is the nuclear option. If your dog chews through to the red safety layer, the company replaces it free. It's the toughest toy I've ever tested.
Buy Goughnuts Maxx Ring on Amazon
Safety Rules for Power Chewers
In the clinic, I saw foreign body surgeries from chew toys more often than I'd like to remember. Follow these rules:
- Always supervise the first few sessions with any new chew toy.
- Replace toys when they show significant wear. If pieces can break off, they will be swallowed.
- Match size to dog. A toy that's too small is a choking hazard.
- Rotate toys to prevent excessive wear on any single one and keep your dog interested.
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the KONG Extreme if: You want a multi-purpose toy that works for enrichment and chewing. You don't mind the preparation of stuffing and freezing. Best overall choice for most power chewers.
Buy the Benebone Wishbone if: You want zero-prep, grab-and-go chewing with built-in flavor. Best for dogs who just want to gnaw contentedly. Budget for regular replacement.
Buy the Nylabone Power Chew if: You have a moderate chewer or a senior dog who needs something gentler on aging teeth. Best value for the price.
My recommendation: Buy all three. Seriously. Rotating between different textures, materials, and engagement styles keeps your dog interested and prevents any single toy from wearing out too fast. At under $40 for all three, it's the most cost-effective chewing solution I know.
Related Reading
- Best Dog Puzzle Toys -- Mental stimulation beyond chewing
- 25 Dog Enrichment Activities -- Free and low-cost ideas for bored dogs
- Best Dog Subscription Boxes -- Monthly toy and treat deliveries