Don’t get a puppy if you’re house-proud, as even once they’re toilet-trained, they seem to view every item as something to chew, which is why, if you’re wondering how to help a teething puppy who is chewing everything in sight, the best teething toys for puppies are your saviour. Inappropriate chewing is not only annoying in terms of wrecking your possessions, but he may chew things that are harmful. It doesn’t bear thinking what happens when your puppy chews through electric wiring, or helping himself to a whole packet of human pills, while stockings and socks can lead to blockages in the gut.
But puppies do have a physical need to chew, to help relieve the discomfort while teething. Mercifully there are plenty of teething toys for puppies out there to help provide relief for those baby gums as well as providing some mental stimulation.
There are various training techniques to teach puppies not to establish destructive techniques, including confining him to puppy-proof areas or puppy playpens while you cannot supervise or using one of the best anti-chew sprays. However, by providing your puppy with a range of appropriate toys to chew on, it will help ensure he does not get in the habit of destructive chewing. Rotate the toys to keep things interesting and to minimise the chances of him seeking out inappropriate chew targets, such as your slippers – this is key to solving the problem of how to stop dogs chewing.
Make sure you don’t give your puppy items that resemble household objects to chew, such as old shoes, and socks, because early habits die hard. They need to know which are their own toys acceptable for gnawing on. The best teething toys for puppies are interactive – they might squeak or can be filled with dog treats; or that provide relief to sore gums, such as toys that can be frozen; or one of the best dental chews that promote oral hygiene.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best teething toys, but be sure to always choose the correct size for your breed – too small and it becomes a choking hazard, while too large will be too difficult to chew. Then when your dog gets older, you can progress him onto one of the best chew toys for dogs.
Best teething toys for puppies
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Nylabone Chill & Chew
Flavour: Lamb/apple | Size: One size | RRP: £10.44 |
This Nylabone is designed especially for small puppies (up to 11kg) with no adult teeth. The flavour is distributed throughout the bone, so it doesn’t get licked off or deteriorate.
If you put the bone in the freezer, it will turn orange when ready, to provide the extra cooling relief. It also features tiny raised bristles, which act like a mini toothbrush to keep teeth clean and prevent tartar build up.
Colours: Pink or blue | Size: XS–L | RRP: From £3.65 |
Made of soft rubber formula customised for a growing puppy’s teeth and gums. This toy helps to satisfy instinctual needs and provides mental stimulation. It is also a fun toy for interactive play, with an unpredictable bounce that keeps your puppy guessing.
The Kong is hollow and can be stuffed with puppy kibble, dog peanut butter or other appropriate treats for your puppy to try to extract. And you can freeze the Kong for a few hours to help provide relief to sore gums.
Like the other Nylabone products in this guide, this chew toy is intended for small puppies (up to 11 kg) with no adult teeth – this is the most gentle you can get. Soak and freeze the whole bone and cloth for added cooling relief.
The flavour is distributed throughout the bone, so it doesn’t get licked off or deteriorate. It also features tiny raised bristles, which act like a mini toothbrush to keep teeth clean and prevent tartar build up.
Benebone products are for determined chewers. The Benebone puppy line is firm to the human touch, but a more forgiving for teething pups. It is flavoured with 100% bacon to encourage healthy chewing, but is designed to be gnawed at not consumed. The shape of the wishbone and chew is such that it sits up off the floor, making it easy for the puppy to pick up.
Colours: Green, yellow or lake blue | RRP: £9.99 |
Dog toothpaste can be applied to the surface of this toy, to help clean your puppy’s teeth while it plays. As the puppy bites the product, the sharp teeth will enter the curved cleaning tank in the molar aisle, so cleaning the teeth.
There is a whistle on the top of the toy, and a squeak when the dog bites it, to help entertain the dog. It is made of a healthy and bite-resistant TPR (thermoplastic rubber) material which can stand up to plenty of chewing.
Size: Extra-small/small puppy or medium/large puppy | RRP £4.79 for a pack of 14 or seven M/L |
Great habits start young, and when puppies can start to develop their adult teeth from six months old, what better way to start than by feeding a dental chew. Whimzees Puppy Chews contain added calcium and a softer texture than their adult counterparts. They can be fed to puppies from three months old.
All natural ingredients keep the chews hypoallergenic.
Petstages Mini Dental Chew starter pack for puppies
RRP: £8.55 |
This mini chew set comes with three different types of toys to address all aspects of your puppy’s dental health: one mini orka pinecone, one mini cool chew and one mini dental rope.
The pine cone is made of durable Orka TPE rubber with a ridged texture to massage your pup’s gums as they chew and play. It can also bounce and float.
The dental rope, a two-toned cotton robe with yellow, ridged rubber ring, removes soft tartar.
The cool chew soothes aching gums. Put the chew into the freezer after soaking it and you’ll have a soothing, icy treat for your teething puppy.
Flavours: Chicken and peanut butter | Size: XS–XL | RRP: From £3.99 |
Designed specifically for teething puppies, this bone-shaped toy is made from soft, flexible material for puppies who do not yet have adult teeth. They are great for dental hygiene, with tiny bristles that raise on the bone during chewing which act like a mini toothbrush to prevent plaque and tartar build-up.
The flavour lasts forever, which encourages the puppy to keep chewing. For puppies with baby teeth, not intended for puppies with adult teeth or aggressive chewers.
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
