7. The Sweet Potato Chew Ring
Heavy chewers require toys that can withstand intense jaw pressure while remaining completely safe to ingest. Many commercial chew toys contain synthetic rubbers, dyes, and chemical preservatives. You can create an all-natural, healthy, and incredibly durable chew toy using nothing more than a fresh sweet potato and a piece of natural hemp or cotton rope.
Wash a large, thick sweet potato and cut it into thick circular slices, approximately one inch in thickness. Use an apple corer or a small knife to cut a hole through the center of each slice, creating a series of potato rings. Place the slices on a baking sheet and dehydrate them in an oven preheated to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius) for about five to six hours, flipping them halfway through. The goal is to dry them out completely until they are tough, leathery, and chewy, rather than crispy. Once cooled, thread the sweet potato rings onto a thick piece of natural cotton rope and tie large knots on either end to keep them in place. Your dog will spend hours gnawing on the tough, fibrous rings, which also act as a natural dental floss to help clean their teeth.