Ingredient library

Doing real work · Toy material

Natural rubber

Also appears on labels as: natural rubber (kong proprietary red rubber), natural rubber (kong black extreme formula), natural high-bounce rubber, extra-thick rubber core, 100% natural rubber (carbon-reinforced), rubber

Latex tapped from rubber trees, vulcanized into a solid, resilient material.

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Where it comes from
Rubber plantations, then molded, mostly in the US for the major brands.
Why it's in the product
Chew toys that flex under the tooth instead of shattering or grinding down.
Safety and toxicity
The best-understood chew material available. It flexes rather than fracturing teeth, it is not a soft plastic so it does not need plasticizers, and it sheds far less than synthetics. No toy is indestructible, and pieces torn off any toy can obstruct.
Interactions and who should be careful
Natural rubber latex allergy exists in humans and is worth knowing if you handle the toy constantly. It is not a documented problem in dogs.

General reference, not veterinary advice. Dose, breed, and existing conditions change the answer, so talk to your vet before changing what your pet eats. Think we got this wrong? Tell us and we log it publicly.

Found in 6 scored products

Lowest scores first. Its presence here is not what drove those scores.