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The Best Teething Toys for Dogs: Keeping Your Puppy’s Teeth Healthy and Their Chewing Habits in Check

Published on November 25 by Julia

Teething is an inevitable phase in a puppy's life, usually occurring between 3 to 6 months of age. During this time, puppies experience discomfort as their baby teeth fall out and their adult teeth come in. The urge to chew increases significantly, often leading to destructive behavior if their teething needs aren't addressed with proper teething toys.

Luckily, the right teething toy can help soothe your puppy's sore gums, prevent destructive chewing, and encourage healthy oral habits. With so many teething toys available, it can be challenging to find the right one. To help, we've rounded up some of the best teething toys for dogs, based on factors like durability, safety, and effectiveness.

Why Do Puppies Need Teething Toys?

Puppies are born with baby teeth that eventually fall out as their adult teeth emerge. This teething phase can cause soreness and discomfort, leading puppies to chew on anything they can get their paws on, including shoes, furniture, and wires. Teething toys serve multiple purposes:

  1. Soothing Sore Gums: The act of chewing can provide relief to swollen and painful gums.
  2. Encouraging Healthy Chewing Habits: Teething toys help redirect chewing behavior away from your belongings.
  3. Promoting Dental Health: Some teething toys are designed to massage gums and clean teeth, helping to establish lifelong oral health routines.
  4. Mental Stimulation: Many teething toys are designed to engage puppies mentally, helping reduce boredom and anxiety.

Top 8 Best Teething Toys for Puppies

1. KONG Puppy Rubber Toy

Best For: Gentle chewers and puppies who love fetch.

  • Key Features:
    • Soft yet durable rubber formula designed for teething puppies.
    • Hollow center allows for stuffing with treats or peanut butter to keep your dog entertained.
    • Ideal for puppies 6 months and younger.
    • Bounces unpredictably for added fun during playtime.

Why It's Great: The KONG Puppy Rubber Toy is a classic favorite among pet owners. It’s made from a softer, puppy-specific rubber that’s gentle on young teeth while still being durable enough for chewing. The hollow center can be filled with treats or peanut butter, keeping your puppy engaged for longer periods. Plus, its bounce and unpredictability make it perfect for interactive play and fetch.

2. Nylabone Puppy Chew Starter Kit

Best For: Puppies that need a variety of textures and types of chewing resistance.

  • Key Features:
    • Three different chews designed for different stages of teething.
    • Variety of textures and flavors to entice your puppy.
    • Helps to clean teeth and reduce plaque buildup.
    • Made with safe, non-toxic materials.

Why It's Great: The Nylabone Puppy Chew Starter Kit offers a variety of chews that cater to your puppy's different teething stages. The set includes a softer chew for initial teething, a more rigid one for when your puppy’s adult teeth are emerging, and a bacon-flavored chew that keeps them entertained. These chews are excellent for promoting dental health, as they help clean teeth and massage gums.

3. Benebone Puppy Chew Toy

Best For: Puppies who are heavy chewers.

  • Key Features:
    • Real bacon flavor infused throughout the toy to keep puppies engaged.
    • Durable nylon material withstands heavy chewing.
    • Ergonomically shaped for easy gripping.
    • Safe and non-toxic.

Why It's Great: Benebone is known for making some of the most durable dog chew toys on the market. Their Puppy Chew Toy is perfect for puppies that chew with a lot of intensity. Infused with real bacon flavor, it will keep your pup engaged while soothing their teething discomfort. The shape is easy for puppies to grip, and the nylon material is tough enough to withstand aggressive chewers.

4. Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy

Best For: Puppies who need mental stimulation along with teething relief.

  • Key Features:
    • Puzzle toy that hides squeaky squirrels inside a plush tree trunk.
    • Soft, fabric material that’s gentle on teeth and gums.
    • Helps alleviate boredom and anxiety through interactive play.
    • Machine washable for easy cleaning.

Why It's Great: The Hide-A-Squirrel puzzle toy provides both teething relief and mental stimulation for your puppy. While the plush material may not be ideal for aggressive chewers, it’s perfect for teething puppies who need something soft to gnaw on. The squeaky squirrels inside create an extra level of fun, encouraging your puppy to problem-solve while providing comfort for their sore gums.

5. Petstages Cool Teething Stick

Best For: Puppies who need cooling relief for sore gums.

  • Key Features:
    • Freezable for added cooling relief.
    • Made with durable, non-toxic materials.
    • Helps to soothe and massage gums.
    • Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

Why It's Great: The Petstages Cool Teething Stick is a great option for puppies who need some extra relief for their teething pain. You can freeze it for a cooling effect, which helps reduce gum inflammation and discomfort. The stick’s design makes it easy for puppies to grip and chew, and the material is durable enough to handle extended chewing sessions.

6. West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Dog Bone

Best For: Durability, heavy chewers, and fetch lovers.

  • Key Features:
    • Made from non-toxic, FDA-compliant Zogoflex material.
    • Floatable, making it great for water play.
    • Extremely durable, ideal for puppies with strong jaws.
    • Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

Why It's Great: The Zogoflex Hurley Dog Bone is perfect for puppies who are tough on toys. Made from a highly durable material, this bone can withstand intense chewing while being gentle on your puppy’s teeth. It’s also great for outdoor play, as it floats in water and bounces erratically, making it ideal for games of fetch. The material is safe, non-toxic, and even recyclable.

7. KONG Puppy Teething Stick

Best For: Puppies that need a soothing chew toy with a flexible texture.

  • Key Features:
    • Soft, flexible rubber designed for puppies.
    • Gentle on puppy teeth, yet durable enough to handle chewing.
    • Can be stuffed with treats to keep puppies engaged.
    • Available in various sizes.

Why It's Great: The KONG Puppy Teething Stick is a soft and flexible option for puppies that are still adjusting to chewing. The material is designed specifically for young, developing teeth, and it provides the right amount of chew resistance. Like other KONG toys, it can be stuffed with treats or peanut butter for added fun and distraction.

8. Pawstruck Bully Sticks for Puppies

Best For: Puppies who enjoy natural chewing and need something to help with their teething phase.

  • Key Features:
    • Made from 100% natural beef, free of additives, preservatives, and chemicals.
    • Long-lasting chew that helps satisfy the need to chew.
    • Promotes dental health by scraping plaque and tartar off teeth.
    • Safe and digestible.

Why It's Great: If you're looking for a natural option to help with teething, Pawstruck Bully Sticks are a fantastic choice. These all-natural chews are free of harmful chemicals and provide long-lasting chewing satisfaction. As your puppy chews, the sticks help clean teeth, massage gums, and satisfy their chewing instincts. They’re also digestible, making them a safer alternative to some plastic-based chews.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Teething Toy

  1. Durability: Puppies, especially heavy chewers, need a toy that can withstand their strong jaws without breaking apart.
  2. Safety: Always choose teething toys made from non-toxic materials. Check for any choking hazards, particularly if the toy has small parts or is easily destructible.
  3. Size and Shape: Make sure the toy is appropriately sized for your puppy’s mouth. Too small and it might be a choking hazard; too large, and it could be difficult for them to handle.
  4. Texture: Soft toys are great for puppies with sensitive gums, but tougher chews are better for those with stronger jaws.
  5. Interactive Features: Some teething toys offer added benefits like treat-stuffing or squeaks, which can keep your puppy entertained longer.

Conclusion: The Right Teething Toy for Your Puppy

The right teething toy can make a big difference in how your puppy experiences their teething phase. Whether you choose a classic like the KONG Puppy Rubber Toy, a cooling option like the Petstages Cool Teething Stick, or a durable chew like the Benebone Puppy Chew Toy, make sure to select a toy that suits your puppy’s chewing habits and teething needs. Not only will the right teething toy help alleviate their discomfort, but it will also promote healthy chewing habits and keep your belongings safe from destructive chewing!4o mini