The Nonplastic Toys My Dogs Actually Enjoy
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Cutting down on microplastics in our home started in the kitchen, where we threw out theblack-plastic utensilsand colorful plastic cutting boards, and continued into our closets (good-bye polyester, hello all-cotton). Then it occurred to me that our dogs, Ringo and Georgie, might benefit from some de-plasticization, too. They’re both under 3 years old and love digging through their toy bin, which until recently included plenty of plastic squeakers and bright stuffies made with synthetic materials. After some research, I found that there are actuallytonsof plastic-free toys on the market that don’t sacrifice durability and still keep my dogs occupied for hours. Below, I’ve pulled together a list of natural alternative toys that keep my dogs so entertained they’ve stopped stealing our socks, and a few that provide enough mental enrichment that Ringo and Georgie actually need a two-hour power nap after playing with them. From bones made entirely of organic sheep’s wool to cellulose-based antlers, these nonplastic picks should keep any dog busy.
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I’ve been using felt bones with our 6-month-old puppy, Georgie. She has an obsession with pulling the fuzz off of tennis balls, and this toy made from tightly packed sheep’s wool seems to satisfy the same urge. It certainly doesn’t last as long as the heavier-duty chews below, but it kept her puppy teeth busy for several weeks.
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Woof HonestChew Infinity
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Last summer, Woof launched HonestChew, a line of durable cellulose-based chews designed to be tougher than nylon bones and more natural than other synthetic chews. Made with just three ingredients — cellulose, vegetable oil, and vegetable broth — they’re meant to be an alternative to petroleum-based products and flake instead of splintering easily like nylon bones. I tested the HonestChew with my own dogs and they seemed to enjoy gnawing on the bumpy exterior. My dogs are moderate to heavy chewers, and I’ve found that the HonestChew lasts just as long as the nylon Benebones we’ve tried.
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The other plant-based chew I’ve tested is the BetterBone, which is made with cellulose plus corn and plant-derived ingredients. The nice thing about these is that they come in varying sizes based on your dog’s weight, plus three different densities: soft for puppies or senior dogs, medium for moderate chewers, and hard for the strong chewers of the bunch.
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All-cotton rope toys are another great option for moderate chewers, and are perfect for rough tugging, especially when they have multiple knots. In our guide to thebest chew toys and treats for teething puppies, the Mammoth rope toy gets a shout-out because the natural cotton fibers help to floss your puppy’s teeth as they play.
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Zara Home actually makes a nice range of braided cotton rope toys in delightful shapes, from a tomato “bouquet” to a yellow pepper and a cotton hen.
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I use the Freezball — a fillable chew that’s made from 100 percent natural rubber — pretty often with our basset hound Ringo when he needs some mental stimulation. To prepare the Freezball, I’ll fill it with Ringo’s regular meal portion of Fromm kibble and wet food and then freeze it for at least two hours. Instead of scarfing down his dinner in 60 seconds, he works on the Freezball for well over 30 minutes. It extends his meal time and helps keep him occupied. Unlike a flat lick mat, it’s also meant to roll away, so Ringo is constantly repositioning while working for his food.
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Since the Freezball has an hourglass shape and a smaller opening, which can be more challenging, consider the wider Freezflower Cup, which might allow some breeds (or age groups) to eat more comfortably. I’ve found that it’s easier for my puppy Georgie to enjoy because it has a sturdy bottom that prevents it from tipping over. But the wide opening is also ideal for dogs with shorter snouts because the open side is shallow.
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We were gifted a real leather toy very similar to this rabbit one, and my dogs could not get enough of it. I was super-impressed with the strength of the leather, and the heavy-duty double stitched seams didn’t start to fray until months later.
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