- The Best Chew & Teething Toys for Puppies
- 1. Kong Chew & Teething Toys for Puppies
- 2. Nylabone Small Key Ring Bone Puppy Teething Chew Toy
- 3. N-Bone Puppy Teething Ring Toy
- 4. Pacific Pups Products Dog Rope Toys for Puppies
- 5. Benebone Real Flavor Wishbone Dog Chew Toy
- 6. Comtim Puppy Chew & Teething Toy
- 7. West Paw Design Chew & Teething Toy for Puppies
- 8. Buck Bone Organics Natural Shed Antler Treat for Dogs Chewing Toy
If you have or have ever owned a puppy, you are probably already well aware that they love to chew on things. This is an important part of their development that you need to support them with. And so, it is important that you direct their chewing energy into the right areas, which are ideally not your favorite pair of sneakers! With this in mind, we have put together a guide of the best chew toys for puppies for you to peruse.
The Best Chew & Teething Toys for Puppies
1. Kong Chew & Teething Toys for Puppies
Key Features
Natural rubber formula
Designed for teething puppies
Recommended by vets worldwide
Long-lasting design
Specially designed to support the baby teeth of your puppy, this toy is gentle enough to not negatively impact their still developing pearly whites and gums. You can offer it to your dog and let them chew away. Alternatively, it is great for games of fetch together, and its unpredictable bounce provides hours of fun.
To make the toy even more exciting, you can stuff it with your dog’s favorite treats. The teething rubber formula of the toy is ideal for when your puppy is going through this important developmental stage in their life.
2. Nylabone Small Key Ring Bone Puppy Teething Chew Toy
Key Features
Made of tough and durable material
Cleans teeth and prevent tartar buildup
Special textured design
Peanut butter flavor
The extra-durable design of this puppy teething bone challenges even aggressive chewers when they are going through that difficult teething phase of their life. But it is still soft enough to not cause any damage to their young teeth and gums.
This toy has been textured with raised parts that aid in cleaning your pup’s teeth and preventing tartar from building up. Also, the toy has a massaging effect to stimulate the entirety of their mouth. The flavor is peanut butter, which is a firm favorite amongst many young dogs.
3. N-Bone Puppy Teething Ring Toy
Key Features
Formulated with DHA and calcium
Grain-free, chicken-flavored
Edible and digestible
Pliable to not cause damage to developing teeth and gums
You don’t need to worry about your dog biting off bits of this teething ring for dogs as it is entirely edible and digestible – with no nylon, rubber or plastic to speak of. Also, calcium has been added to boost health of the bones and teeth of your little dog.
These grain-free treats are chicken-flavored, which makes them a classic and highly popular choice amongst canines, as well as being one that won’t upset sensitive stomachs. Pain and soreness are two of the biggest problems when a puppy is going through teething which these treats can help to alleviate.
4. Pacific Pups Products Dog Rope Toys for Puppies
Key Features
Range of sizes and styles of toy
Plastic-free design
Suitable for aggressive chewers
Made of safe and non-toxic materials
This range of dog rope toys are tough and durable, but they are also made with safe adhesives and materials in case your pooch does manage to bite pieces off. A giraffe dog floss toy is also included to get in between teeth and stimulate gums.
One of the nice things about buying from this company is that the money raised from the sale of these toys goes towards a non-profit animal rescue center. You can rest assured that everything has been durability tested to ensure a high quality of toy.
5. Benebone Real Flavor Wishbone Dog Chew Toy
Key Features
Long-lasting, durable dog chew
Made of real food ingredients
Ergonomic design with deep grooves
Wishbone shape is dog-friendly
Designed in a wishbone shape, this is the kind of toy that your puppy can really get their teeth into thanks to the deep grooves of the design. Everything is made using food ingredients for both flavor and scent purposes. Manufactured in New York, all the materials, ingredients, and tooling are sourced in the USA.
One word of warning about this toy is that it is hard, so it is better for dogs with stronger teeth. After it has worn down a reasonable amount, you are going to need to replace it.
6. Comtim Puppy Chew & Teething Toy
Key Features
Durable and bite-resistant
Made of multiple textures for total oral care
Alleviates pain and pressure caused during teething
Suitable for both indoor and outdoor usage
Designed specially for teething puppies, this toy offers both softness and flexibility. Its textured surface helps out with the pressure buildup that they can experience. Also, it helps with teeth cleaning, gum massaging, and prevention of the buildup of both tartar and plaque.
Both the natural rubber and cotton rope used to make the toy are bite-resistant, so you can give it to your dog with confidence. Its bright colors ensure that it is going to hold your puppy’s attention, and it is also less likely that it is going to get lost.
7. West Paw Design Chew & Teething Toy for Puppies
Key Features
Highly tough and durable
Guaranteed against dog damage
Suitable for stuffing or freezing treats inside
Made in the USA
This chew toy has the added bonus of dispensing treats, which helps to hold your dog’s interest for longer. Made using recyclable materials, cleaning is straightforward and just a matter of throwing it in the dishwasher.
When your dog is chewing on the toy, you can be safe in the knowledge that the materials used are non-toxic, and this is an FDA-compliant product. Ultimately, this is a great toy that provides both mental and physical stimulation to your four-legged friend.
8. Buck Bone Organics Natural Shed Antler Treat for Dogs Chewing Toy
Key Features
Eco-friendly premium chew
Suitable for smaller dogs
Chewable indoors or outdoors
Leaves no mess behind
If you are looking for something altogether more natural for your dog to chew on, this is a naturally organic product packed with protein, magnesium, vitamins, and minerals. The resealable packaging ensures that the antler is protected against contaminants.
Bear in mind that this is a smaller dog chew which is suitable for pups around 20 lbs in size. Also bear in mind that this is a product which is better for more aggressive chewers with stronger jaws.
Best Chew & Teething Toys for Puppies Buying Guide
How to Choose the Best Toys for Teething Puppies
With so many different best chews for puppies out there, it can feel like a challenge when choosing a chew toy for your teething puppy. Here are some features to look out for.
- Soft yet durable
With a puppy teething toy, you are looking for the perfect combination of soft and durable. Your puppy’s teeth and gums are delicate, so you don’t want to risk damaging them with a toy that is too hard. At the same time, you don’t want the toy to break easily as you will have to continually replace it all the time.
- Different textures and shapes
Think about the texture and shape of the toy. You may have to do a bit of experimentation until you find the one that your developing dog likes the best. Try different shapes and textures. There are some multi-packs that provide a wide variety of choice. Remember, like humans, puppies can become bored with things after a while. You can get into a rotation system to hold your pooch’s interest. Generally, there are three types of puppy chews. You have the ones that try bite off chunks of whatever they are chewing, those which destroy whatever they can get their paws on, and those that like to savor their toy.
- Taste and smell
The look of the toy isn’t the only thing that can attract your dog. If the treat tastes and smells great, it is much more likely to bring your pooch to it. There are also the toys that you can stuff with your hound’s favorite treats.
- Teeth cleaning benefits
As well as providing something for your dog to chew on, there are many chew toys out there which have the benefit of cleaning your pooch’s teeth and gums. Look out for the toys that have been designed to be textured or those natural chews that do the same job.
- Opportunities for games
When you are choosing the best teething toys for puppies, also consider the games that you can enjoy with them. For example, some are best suited to rounds of fetch, whereas others are great for enjoying a game of tug of war. Alternatively, there are the interactive toys that your puppy can enjoy on their own, but you should make sure that you supervise them closely while they are playing.
- Washability
The ease with which you can wash the chew toy can also help you to make up your mind. Some are suitable for the dishwasher, which obviously makes your life a lot easier.
What to Avoid in Puppy Teething Toys
- Toys that shatter
Choking is a real risk in young dogs, so you don’t want a toy that could shatter and increase the risk to your puppy. Often it is cheaper toys which are more likely to break – or those items which are simply not suitable for younger dogs. The last thing that you want is to have to take your puppy into the emergency vet.
- Poorly sized toys
The toy that you choose needs to be the right size for your dog. Buy a toy that is too small, and it presents an increased choking risk. However, pick one that is too big, and your puppy will struggle to get their jaws around it.
- Toxic materials
Any toy that you choose needs to be entirely non-toxic for your dog. So, look out for labels like BPA-free, which is a harmful chemical that has been shown to be harmful to canines – even in small quantities. Also, keep an eye out for other credentials such as FDA approval.
- Toys resembling household items
While it may seem like fun to offer your dog a toy that is shaped like a slipper, it is only likely to encourage them to go after the real thing after a while. Instead, choose the kind of bright and exciting objects that can’t be mistaken for anything else.
You may also like our articles on Puppy Harnesses and Puppy Milk Replacers.
How to Keep Your Puppy's Interest in Their Toys
It is important that you work hard to keep your puppy’s interest in their toys. Otherwise, they are likely to try and chew on other things instead – and this could be anything that you leave lying around your house. Here are some strategies that you can use to hold your pup’s attention.
- Rotate your dog’s toys
Rather than having all of your dog’s toys out all the time, you are better off only letting them use it for a small time. Find a hiding place and leave it there for a few days. You won’t believe the look of excitement on your pooch’s face when you bring it out again!
- Put the toy in the freezer
When your puppy is teething, this is an extremely uncomfortable experience for them. Try putting a toy in the freezer. When your dog comes to bite it, it will help with any pain that they are suffering. This dog teething toy bound to be an appealing choice for your furry friend.
- Invest in interactive toys
If the toy that you choose has a bit more excitement with interactive features, it is more likely to hold your puppy’s interest for longer. For example, there are those which can be stuffed with treats that your dog has to work hard to get access to. Check out our guides on the best interactive dog toys, best dog toys and best toys for blind dogs.
Tips for Destructive Chewing in Teething Puppies
Beyond offering your dog a range of puppy chew toys for them to get their teeth stuck into, there are other techniques that can be useful in dealing with puppies with a destructive chewing habit.
- Ensure your dog gets enough exercise
Puppies require plenty of physical exercise on a daily basis, which is important for their mental stimulation as well. If they don’t get this, chewing is much more likely as they don’t have anything to take their mind of it. When they are tired, it is much more likely that your dog will be able to rest calmly.
- Use sprays and repellents
If your dog continually chews on the same thing all the time, you can use dog anti chew sprays and/or repellents to discourage them from continuing. However, you shouldn’t overdo it with them, and you need to bear in mind that they are not effective with all dogs.
- Puppy-proof your home
As well as leaving plenty of interesting toys around for your dog to chew on, you need to keep anything out of the way that you don’t want your dog to put in their mouths.
Take a look at our review of the Best Dog Chews for more info.
Our Top Pick
Returning to our number one pick on the list, we have this toy from leading manufacturer KONG. Both gentle and long-lasting, it is suitable for medium-sized dogs. First, you can play classic games like fetch with it. But you can also fill it up with your pooch’s favorite treats, which helps to hold their attention for even longer. The exclusive rubber formula is specifically suited to puppies who are going through the teething process, which makes it the ideal choice of best chew toy for teething puppies.
FAQ
Q: Are chew toys good for puppies?
As long as you choose toys that are safe, they are good for dogs as they satisfy their natural urge to chew. Teething puppies are exploring the world through their mouths, but you want to direct their chewing energy into the right areas. Chew toys provide both mental and physical stimulation, as well as offering relief when teething starts to become painful. Some of them also offer teeth-cleaning benefits too. You should make sure to supervise your dog whenever they are chewing – particularly if it is a toy that presents a choking risk as this is potentially dangerous.
Q: Can I give my puppy a bully stick?
Bully sticks are an okay treat to offer your dog as long as you do so in a safe way. First, you need to ensure that you choose one that is the right size for your pooch’s mouth. Puppies usually find sticks that are smaller and thinner easier to deal with. You shouldn’t find it too tricky to get your dog to take the stick straight from your hand, but you should only allow them to have it for a few minutes at a time. These treats are packed with protein, but your puppy’s digestive system is still developing, and ingesting a lot all at once can prove to be a problem for them, leading to stomachache, diarrhea and/or vomiting. Also, they contain a lot of calories, which can contribute towards your dog becoming obese.
Whenever your puppy is enjoying a bully stick, you should make sure to supervise them properly. Otherwise, they could end up biting off more than they can chew and this provides a very real choking risk.
Q: How do I clean my puppy chew toys?
This depends on the specific toy that you choose. Some are suitable to go in the dishwasher, whereas there are other puppy teething toys that need you to wash them by hand.