Sometimes, I think I might as well give my dogs money to chew on, because they can destroy a normal dog toy in minutes! I’m sure plenty of you can relate.
Why Dogs Destroy Toys
Chewing is, of course, normal dog behavior, but some pups have a hard time restraining themselves. Sometimes, it’s just their personality, but it can also be a sign of
- Boredom
- Anxiety
- Stress
- or hunger
If you’re concerned about your dog’s chewing habits, it’s definitely a good idea to consult your vet. However, if your dog is just enthusiastic, you may just be on the hunt for the perfect chew toy to stand up to their teeth!
We have two pointers and a shepherd mix. They would be international champions if the competition were for ripping out seams and gutting toys. So, over the years, I’ve had to become an expert in dog toys that can stand up to enthusiastic chewers like them.
Deer antlers have been the winner for our dogs’ gnawing, paws down. However, these chewing favorites just don’t feel like toys – something that can be tossed, tugged, and loved by dogs and people alike.
We had little success for years in our hunt for the perfect heavy-duty toy, but a few years back we finally found one that holds up! Mind you, I would not waste your time with toys that only last a few days or weeks. These lasted for months — truly noteworthy! So, let me tell you about my new favorite plush toy brand: Fluff & Tuff.
Fluff & Tuff Dog Toys
I discovered this line at Petsakes in Des Moines. I thought if they were confident enough to put the words “Tough” in their name and “durable” in their description, I’d try them. Lo and behold, one Fluff & Tuff toy (“Peanut the Chipmunk”) has been in my house for several months and still has all its seams intact!
At $11.75, I was game, but my expectations were not high. My primary concern was that Peanut had a tail. Those of you who live with dogs who terrorize toys know what I mean. The first thing that goes is anything that sticks out—eyes, ears, tails, feet. Any cute detail is amputated immediately!
So Began the “New” Toy Process.
- After bringing it home, I let the dogs play with it for a while before putting it away for safekeeping.
- And of course, we all eventually forget to take the new toy away…
- and the dogs play with it to death
But darn, if Peanut kept his tail, his seams, his ears, and even his nose!
Being as impressed as I was, I looked this company up. Fluff & Tuff is based in Detroit, though the products are made in China. However, I believe the company owners are doing an exceptional job of quality control! In fact, these toys are produced in a factory certified by the International Council of Toy Industries, which works to ensure ethical supply chains, high safety standards, and more in toy production.
A couple of details that stood out about their process:
- Toys are made from an ultra-plush fabric with a mesh liner
- seams are double-stitched and concealed. I didn’t think hiding a seam from my two Pointers was possible!
- The stuffing is made from non-toxic polyester fiber.
- After production, all toys are double-scanned to verify that no metal objects have made their way in.
Color me impressed. Because of the care that Fluff & Tuff has put into their production process, Peanut lives on – likely to be joined by other Fluff & Tuff stable toys!
If you have a toy terrorist in your house, I recommend you give a Fluff & Tuff toy a try. www.fluffandtuff.com
– Muzzlebump 🙂