Chew Toys with Treat Compartments

The following toys reward puppies with hidden treats, promote healthy chewing habits, and mental enrichment. They come in varying difficulty levels to suit puppies of different ages.

Best Soft Chew Toy

The plush and soft rubber toys are designed for puppies with delicate mouths, gums, and teeth. Your pup will love a softer chew of our favorite pick.

Squeaky Chew Toys

The following toys are perfect for puppies who love the thrill of a squeaky sound during playtime.

Why Is Giving Your Puppy a Chew Toy Very Important?

Puppies tend to get mouthy when they are teething, biting almost anything they can get their paws on, including other puppies that may be around. Teething toys are crucial to redirecting their chewing habit while keeping them mentally stimulated. If you are a new puppy owner, knowing what to look for when selecting teething toys for your furry friend is essential

The Puppy Teething Timeline

The puppy teething process can be divided into three stages.

Eruption stage. This stage typically lasts between 3-4 months. During this stage, you may notice your puppy drooling more than usual, chewing excessively, and even becoming irritable.

Peak teething phase. This stage lasts 4-6 months when your puppy’s chewing becomes even more frequent, and they may experience minor gum inflammation and a loss of appetite. You might even find some of their tiny teeth around the house.

Final teething phase. This stage lasts an average of 6-8 months. At this point, most puppies have completed their teething process. Their 42 adult teeth should have erupted, and all the baby teeth should be gone. As a result, the discomfort they may have experienced in the previous stages declines, significantly reducing their chewing behavior.

What to Look for When Buying a Chew Toy for Your Pup

Here are some key things to consider before buying a chew toy for your canine.

Material

Offer your puppy a variety of safe teething toys to find what they like. This helps build appropriate chewing habits. Avoid toys with harmful chemicals like BPA or phthalates, which have been linked to endocrine disruption and possible cancers.

Durability

Choose durable toys for your puppy to avoid choking hazards. Rubber toys can be chilled to soothe sore gums, but some may be too soft for aggressive chewers. Nylon toys are great for aggressive chewers, but some may be too hard on puppy gums. Keep an eye on rope toys, which may fray and become a choking hazard.

Texture 

In most cases, textured toys are better than smooth toys for dogs. Bumpy and ridged toys can massage sore gums and promote healthy chewing habits. Nubbly textures provide deeper gum stimulation, while groove-textured toys can remove plaque buildup from teeth. Choose the right texture based on your dog’s dental needs and chewing preferences.

Size 

As your puppy grows into an adult dog, so will their needs. Considering the size of your teething toy is crucial to prevent choke hazards. A teething toy that is too small can get lodged in their throat. Select a teething toy slightly bigger than your pup’s mouth to prevent them from swallowing their toy whole, and gradually increase their toy size over time as they mature.

Safety 

When choosing toys for your pup, opt for toys made from safe materials. You should also consider your puppy’s chewing intensity and choose a toy accordingly to prevent the toy from breaking down into loose parts. It is best to avoid toys with sharp edges or loose points as they could injure your puppy’s gums or mouth.

Variety 

For puppies, having a variety of chewing toys to choose from is super important. Offering a range of chewing toys not only keeps puppies entertained but also helps satisfy their natural urge to chew.

Training Tips for Teething

Training consistency and patience are key when going through the teething phase with your puppy. Do these things, and you’ll avoid a troublesome dog down the road.

Reinforce positive behavior. Use positive reinforcement and discourage negative behavior. Whenever your puppy chews on something inappropriate, firmly say “No” and replace it with a suitable teething toy. On the other hand, when your puppy chews on the appropriate teething toy, praise them to reinforce their good chewing behavior.

Supervise your pup. Supervise puppies early in their teething stages and redirect them to the chew toys. This is to ensure their safety, and where you can't supervise them effectively, confine them with a safe chew toy. Schedule interactive playtime with your puppy to provide an outlet for their energy and teach them the correct chewing behavior as they teethe.

Don’t encourage biting or nipping. Controlling the force of your pup’s bite is crucial to prevent accidental injuries during playtime and teach your dog how to communicate without causing harm. If your pup bites too hard while playing, make a high-pitched yelp and stop playing for a while. Wait until your dog is calmer before resuming playtime.

FAQ

How can I prevent my puppy from chewing on inappropriate items?

Keep electrical cords and other dangerous items out of their reach while introducing healthier chewing outlets such as teething toys. Puppy-proof your home and confine them when unsupervised to hinder them from discovering something else to chew on.

Can I give my puppy frozen treats to help soothe their teething pain?

Frozen treats can be a helpful way to alleviate your puppy’s teething pain. However, it’s essential to carefully choose safe ingredients and ensure the treats aren't too tough when frozen. Always supervise your puppy while they enjoy their frozen treat to ensure that broken pieces don't become a choking hazard.

How long does the teething process last?

Depending on the breed and individual puppy, the timeline may vary, but on average, it is six months. Larger breeds tend to teeth slower than smaller breeds. 

At what age do puppies need chew toys?

When puppies begin to teethe, they may not require specific chew toys. This phase typically starts around 2-4 weeks of age, and their teeth are usually not strong enough to require dedicated toys. Most veterinarians recommend waiting until puppies are 3-4 months old before introducing chew toys.

Are knotted rope chew toys okay for teething puppies?

Rope toys are excellent for tug-of-war games, but they come with their own risks. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, they could unravel the toy, which is a choking hazard. Also, ingesting the loose fibers could lead to digestive problems. To keep your dog safe, choose a toy size that is too big to swallow whole, and always supervise your dog during playtime.