Puppies naturally explore the world with their mouths, and teething can make chewing an especially important part of their daily routine. The right puppy toy can provide an appropriate outlet for chewing while giving your puppy something engaging to explore.
Why Do Puppies Chew So Much?
Chewing is a normal behavior for puppies. As puppies grow and their adult teeth develop, they may spend more time chewing toys, household objects, and anything else they can reach.
Providing appropriate chew toys gives puppies an alternative activity and can help redirect chewing toward objects that are intended for dogs.
Important:
Puppies have different chewing styles, and no toy is indestructible. Always choose an appropriately sized toy, supervise your puppy when appropriate, and remove toys that become damaged.
Types of Toys to Consider for Teething Puppies
Different puppies prefer different shapes, textures, and ways of chewing. Consider your puppy’s age, size, chewing habits, and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Puppy Chew Toys
Chew-focused toys designed for puppies can provide an appropriate object for chewing and mouthing during the teething stage.
Puppy-Friendly Rubber Toys
Rubber toys can offer a different chewing texture and may also be used for simple food-based enrichment when designed for that purpose.
Soft Puppy Toys
Some puppies prefer softer toys for gentle mouthing and play. These should be chosen carefully and checked frequently for damage.
Treat-Dispensing Toys
Food-based toys can add another reason for puppies to interact with a toy instead of simply chewing it.
Teething-Specific Toys
Some toys are specifically marketed for puppies during teething and may have textures or designs intended for this stage.
Interactive Puppy Toys
Interactive toys can combine chewing or mouthing with movement, food rewards, or simple play.
What to Look for in a Teething Toy
A good puppy toy is not simply the hardest or most durable option. The design should be appropriate for a young dog’s size, chewing style, and stage of development.
Correct Size
Choose a size appropriate for your puppy and follow the manufacturer’s size recommendations.
Puppy-Appropriate Design
Look for toys specifically recommended for puppies rather than automatically choosing products designed for powerful adult chewers.
Suitable Texture
Consider what texture your puppy actually enjoys and whether the toy is intended for the teething stage.
Appropriate Durability
The toy should withstand your puppy’s normal use without becoming an easy source of loose or broken pieces.
Easy to Inspect
Choose toys that can be checked regularly so damaged parts can be spotted and the toy removed when necessary.
Teething Toy Safety Tips
Puppies can chew differently from one another, so regular inspection and appropriate supervision are important.
Inspect Before Use
Check the toy for cracks, tears, loose parts, or other damage before giving it to your puppy.
Remove Damaged Toys
Replace toys when chewing has created pieces that could break away or become unsafe.
Supervise When Appropriate
Puppies should be observed with new toys so you can see how they interact with and chew the toy.
Follow Product Guidance
Follow the manufacturer’s age, size, use, and supervision recommendations for each toy.
Puppy & Chew Toy Reviews
Explore our existing reviews of chew and puppy-friendly toys when comparing options for growing dogs.
Nina Ottosson Puppy Tornado
A puppy-oriented interactive puzzle that can add food-based enrichment to a young dog’s routine.
Nina Ottosson Puppy Hide-N-Slide
A puppy-focused puzzle option for introducing young dogs to food-based interactive play.
KONG Classic
A well-known fillable rubber toy that can also be useful for food-based enrichment when appropriately sized.
Benebone Wishbone
A chew-focused toy with a shape designed to make gripping and chewing easier for dogs.
Nylabone Power Chew
A chew-oriented option from our existing review collection for dogs with stronger chewing habits.
Nylabone Power Chew Peanut Butter
A flavored chew option from our review collection for dogs that enjoy chewing.
How to Encourage Appropriate Chewing
Teething is also a good time to teach puppies which objects are appropriate for chewing.
Keep Appropriate Toys Available
Give your puppy access to suitable toys during normal play and chewing periods.
Redirect When Needed
If your puppy starts chewing an inappropriate object, redirect their attention toward an appropriate toy.
Reward Appropriate Play
Positive attention or an appropriate reward can help make interaction with the toy more valuable.
Rotate Suitable Toys
Rotating appropriate toys can provide variety while keeping the focus on objects intended for dogs.
Helpful Puppy Toy Guides
How to Choose Toys for Puppies
Learn what to consider when choosing toys for a young dog’s size, age, and play style.
How to Choose Safer Dog Toys
Review practical considerations for choosing and inspecting toys before and during use.
How to Choose Dog Toy Size
Understand why choosing an appropriate toy size matters for puppies and growing dogs.
How to Introduce a New Toy to Your Dog
Help a puppy become familiar with a new toy before making it part of everyday play.
Explore Other Dog Toy Needs
Puppy Toys
Browse toys selected specifically around the needs of growing puppies.
Heavy Chewer Toys
Explore toys for dogs with stronger chewing habits as they grow.
Toys for Mental Stimulation
Explore puzzle and interactive activities that can add mental enrichment to playtime.
Toys for Dental Health
Explore another toy category focused on chewing and dental-care considerations.
Find More Toys for Your Dog
Browse puppy toys, chew toys, interactive options, and product reviews to find toys that fit your dog’s current stage.
Mental Stimulation
Find puzzle and interactive toys for curious dogs.
Dog Toy Reviews
Read our individual reviews before comparing different dog toys.
Help Your Puppy Chew on the Right Things
Explore puppy-friendly chew toys and learn how to choose appropriate options for your puppy’s size, age, and chewing habits.