Looking for a dog toy that's soft on the outside, hard in the middle
May 20, 2019 5:38 PM Subscribe
My sweet and wildly energetic new rescue dog loves this stupid toy. It's a plastic ball that screams and shakes, with a padded cover. But she can crack the ball inside in a couple play sessions--we are already on ball #2 and it's only been a week! What are some other toys that are plush outside, but rigid (not just squeaky) inside? They don't NEED to make sounds; she loves the sounds but I think she'd be almost as happy with any other toy where she could chomp on its "bones."
Would the toys you stuff a water bottle inside be rigid enough? They'd last longer and be easier to replace!
posted by Gable Oak at 6:03 PM on May 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Gable Oak at 6:03 PM on May 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
Ignoring completely your request, here's my suggestion to all new dog owners, especially those with puppies who are teething: take a clean dishrag, tie a knot in the middle or one at each end, soak it in chicken broth, throw it in the freezer. Great for teething, great for tug, great for crunching, great for fetch... super cheap.
posted by dobbs at 6:42 PM on May 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by dobbs at 6:42 PM on May 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
Best answer: My rescue (Basset/Australian Cattle Dog) loves this type of toy that we picked up at a local pet shop when they had Christmas themed versions last December. I've since had to hunt down similar style replacements and the shop manager pointed me to Charming Pets / Outward Hound as the manufacturer.
It's just a plush animal "skin" sewn around a large, prickly, squeaker ball. It bounces well and the ball is large enough that he can't really get the ball in his mouth (softball sized). He grabs it by a wing and shakes it like he's killing it as he returns it to me. My dog destroys plush toys quickly, often immediately, but these keep together for a few weeks most of the time.
posted by Barnsie at 7:14 PM on May 20, 2019
It's just a plush animal "skin" sewn around a large, prickly, squeaker ball. It bounces well and the ball is large enough that he can't really get the ball in his mouth (softball sized). He grabs it by a wing and shakes it like he's killing it as he returns it to me. My dog destroys plush toys quickly, often immediately, but these keep together for a few weeks most of the time.
posted by Barnsie at 7:14 PM on May 20, 2019
Could you just put a similarly-sized ball in the cover? It looks like a tennis ball might be a good fit.
posted by DrGail at 7:26 PM on May 20, 2019
posted by DrGail at 7:26 PM on May 20, 2019
Best answer: BarkShop (of the monthly BarkBox subscription box) makes many of their plush toys with a durable spiky/nubby ball inside. My dog kills all plush toys (and many "durable" toys) but she gets these toys monthly and hasn't killed any of the balls once she has freed them from their plushy exteriors.
A couple she's tested that I would recommend:
That's a Spiky Meatball
Penny the Pineapple
posted by Laura in Canada at 7:46 AM on May 21, 2019
A couple she's tested that I would recommend:
That's a Spiky Meatball
Penny the Pineapple
posted by Laura in Canada at 7:46 AM on May 21, 2019
When we first got our toothy girl, we had good luck with the GoDog line of toys with chewguard (basically strong mesh interior with reinforced seams).
However, when she met my in-law's jack russell she learned how to strategically find the weak points in soft toys and exploit them and once she finds a weak point she knows exactly where to look with a replacement version of the same toy. So we have moved onto more druable toys that still have give so she gets the satisfaction of bendiness when she chews but it holds up.
We have had really good luck with the HyperPet Durasqueak line (even though it seems to have mixed reviews on amazon). We have both the "blash" and the "stick large." We've also done well with the JW Pet squeaky bowling pin, although it doesn't have quite as much softness and flex to it.
posted by donut_princess at 8:09 AM on May 21, 2019
However, when she met my in-law's jack russell she learned how to strategically find the weak points in soft toys and exploit them and once she finds a weak point she knows exactly where to look with a replacement version of the same toy. So we have moved onto more druable toys that still have give so she gets the satisfaction of bendiness when she chews but it holds up.
We have had really good luck with the HyperPet Durasqueak line (even though it seems to have mixed reviews on amazon). We have both the "blash" and the "stick large." We've also done well with the JW Pet squeaky bowling pin, although it doesn't have quite as much softness and flex to it.
posted by donut_princess at 8:09 AM on May 21, 2019
Response by poster: Thanks all! My last girl was a shredder and could have cared less about chewing on anything that wasn't a tennis ball, so we are in a whole new toy world. We have the Durasqueak treat dispensing bone and it is great and has stood up well. Her first Bark Box is coming soon so hopefully we will get to try some of this spiky ball magic--it sounds like that or the (very disgusting) Slap Happy might do it.
posted by assenav at 11:33 AM on May 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by assenav at 11:33 AM on May 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: For those who may find this later, I stumbled upon this ball (youtube link) at TJ Maxx and she LOVES it. She can't chew it because it's too big, but she can pick it up and throw it, and she loves the bizarre sounds it makes. Plus, it doesn't require batteries.
posted by assenav at 12:59 PM on May 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by assenav at 12:59 PM on May 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
The Slap Happys have an eggplant shaped silicone ribcage structure inside them. The Busy Buddys are smaller and have the same material but are in more of a flattened ball shape. There's a squeaker inside the ribcage bit so your dog can get that realistic killing a squirrel feel in every chomp.
The inner bit isn't as hard as the toy your dog has taken a liking to, but it's a safer material to chew and since it's got some give it'll spring right back into place. Should last a lot longer.
posted by phunniemee at 6:00 PM on May 20, 2019