This is a specific conversation about Kong and chew toys — for serious chewers — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
A 13-year-old who still wants to chew — that's a good sign, honestly. The right chew toy for a serious chewer needs to be durable enough to last but not so hard it risks cracking teeth, and that balance matters even more with an older dog whose teeth and gums aren't what they were. The right choice depends significantly on chewing style and jaw strength. Tell me a bit more: is your Border Terrier still chewing with real enthusiasm, or is it more gentle, occasional gnawing? And what's prompting the search right now — are they getting destructive, or is it more about keeping them mentally occupied?
It's definitely gentler now. She used to go at things pretty hard but these days it's more comfort chewing — she'll carry a toy around and mouth it rather than really destroy it. She's slowed down physically but her brain is still very much switched on. I want something that gives her that outlet without hurting her teeth.
inparticular.ai
That's really helpful. Comfort chewing in an older dog is partly about soothing themselves and partly about maintaining that oral habit they've always had — both worth supporting. My concern with most standard Kongs or hard rubber toys for a 13-year-old is that they're made for dogs with full jaw strength, and even moderate hardness can put stress on worn or sensitive teeth. What I'd point you toward is the Kong Senior — it's the same classic Kong shape she'd take to naturally, but made from a softer, more forgiving rubber formula specifically designed for older dogs. She can mouth it, carry it, and get some gentle chewing satisfaction without the risk. You can stuff it with soft food or paste to keep her engaged mentally, which sounds exactly like what she needs. It's the one product in the Kong range that's genuinely built for a dog at her life stage.
I've seen the regular Kong before but didn't know there was a senior version. Is the rubber noticeably softer? I want to make sure it's actually gentle enough.
inparticular.ai
Yes, noticeably softer — it's a different compound from the classic red Kong. When you squeeze it, there's real give to it. For a dog doing comfort chewing rather than aggressive destruction, it holds up well while being kind to the teeth and gums. It's not a toy that will fall apart quickly, but it's also not something that's going to cause any strain. For a Border Terrier doing gentle mouthing, it's genuinely the right tool.
That sounds perfect. What size should I be getting for a Border Terrier?
inparticular.ai
Border Terriers typically sit in the small-to-medium range, so the small Kong Senior is usually the right fit — it's manageable for their jaw size and easy to carry around, which suits the comfort-chewing behaviour you're describing. If she's on the larger end for the breed or you want a bit more stuffing capacity, medium works too, but small is the natural starting point. Look for the Kong Senior on Amazon UK — it comes up easily and is well stocked in both sizes.
Your situation is probably different. Get a specific answer for yours.