The Truth About Tough Dog Toys: What Makes a Toy Actually Indestructible?

At Loki Approved, we don’t throw around words like “indestructible” lightly. If you’ve ever handed your dog a new toy only to find it shredded 10 minutes later, you’re not alone. Most “tough” dog toys simply aren’t built to handle the bite strength, jaw torque, and obsessive chewing power of real dogs.

So what actually makes a dog toy durable? And how can you tell the difference between clever marketing and genuine toughness?

Why Dogs Destroy Toys (and Why It’s Not a Bad Thing)

Dogs chew for three main reasons:

• Instinct: It’s a natural behavior tied to their ancestry (yes, even your fluffy Cavapoo).
• Stimulation: Bored dogs get destructive — toys give them an outlet.
• Teething or jaw strength building: Especially in puppies and power-chewer breeds like Pit Bulls, Boxers, and Labs.

A destroyed toy isn’t necessarily a sign of misbehavior — it’s a sign of a toy that didn’t meet the challenge.

The Problem with Most Dog Toys

Walk through any big box pet store and you’ll see “durable” or “tough” printed on packaging that’s nothing more than thin plush, glued seams, or soft rubber. Here's where they fail:

• Weak stitching
• Cheap materials
• No structural core

What Actually Makes a Toy Durable?

At Loki Approved, we’ve tested, redesigned, and rebuilt every toy around these core principles:

1. Material Strength

We use heavy-duty upholstery fabric, military-grade webbing, and recycled billboard vinyl where appropriate. These are tested against abrasion and tear resistance — not just for softness or price.

2. Stitching & Construction

Double and triple-reinforced seams using industrial sewing machines make our toys strong at the weakest points — the edges.

3. No Fill Zones or Smart Fill

Dogs go after stuffing like treasure hunters. We strategically reduce overstuffing, use polyfill cores only in protected areas, and seal squeakers inside reinforced chambers.

4. Bias-Bound Edges

Each toy is wrapped in durable bias binding — the same stuff used on tactical gear. It’s like putting armor on your seams.

Eco-Friendly Can Still Be Tough

Tough toys don’t have to hurt the planet. That’s why Loki Approved uses:

• Deadstock fabric (diverted from landfills)
• Recycled polyester webbing
• Non-toxic adhesives and fiber fill
• Made in the USA — every stitch

How to Choose the Right Tough Toy for Your Dog

When shopping for a dog toy that lasts, look for:

• Weight — If it’s too light, it’s too weak.
• Stitching — Reinforced seams are non-negotiable.
• Materials — Ask what it’s made of. If the brand won’t say, that’s a red flag.
• Proof — Look for real customer reviews, videos, and durability testing.

And remember: the right toy for a 15 lb Cavapoo is not the same as one for a 70 lb Pit mix. Size, jaw strength, and play style all matter.

Why Loki Approved Exists

We started this brand not to chase trends — but to fix a real problem: the lack of legitimately durable, eco-conscious, USA manufacturing & suppliers, dog-tested toys on the market.

We build every toy like it’s going into our own dog’s mouth. Because it is.

Ready to Try One?

Check out our most popular tough toy for aggressive chewers — the 8” Supernova.

→ Shop the Supernova Toy