Best Toys for Teething Puppies
Teething puppies chew everything. Your shoes. Your skirting boards. Your hands. This is not bad behaviour — it’s a puppy trying to relieve genuine physical discomfort from 42 adult teeth pushing through their gums over about four months. The right toys redirect that need to something appropriate and soothing.
The most effective teething toys are rubber toys that can be frozen (cold numbs gum inflammation), rope toys with loose fibres that floss between teeth, and soft rubbery chews that give under pressure rather than splintering. Frozen wet rope toys and frozen Kongs are consistently the most effective options.
The teething timeline: what to expect when
| Age | Teething stage | What’s happening |
|---|---|---|
| 2–6 weeks | Baby teeth emerge | 28 baby teeth; before most owners have the puppy |
| 8–12 weeks | Baby teeth settled | All 28 baby teeth present; mouthy and explorative |
| 12–16 weeks | Adult incisors emerge | Gum discomfort begins; chewing increases significantly |
| 16–24 weeks | Adult premolars and canines | Most intense teething period; maximum chewing drive |
| 6–8 months | Adult molars emerge | Final phase; 42 adult teeth complete |
The most intense chewing period is typically 16–20 weeks — which aligns with when most owners are already exhausted from the puppy’s general intensity. When puppies calm down covers how this phase fits into the broader development arc.
Why cold and frozen toys work best
Cold numbs inflamed gum tissue — the same principle as using an ice pack on a sprain. A frozen teething toy provides active pain relief, not just distraction. A room-temperature rubber toy redirects chewing; a frozen one also soothes it. The difference in puppy engagement is usually noticeable.
How to prepare frozen teething toys
- Frozen wet rope toy — soak a rope toy in water or low-sodium broth, wring out slightly, freeze. The frozen fibres also help work loose teeth.
- Frozen Kong — stuff with mashed banana, plain yoghurt, or softened kibble; freeze. One of the most consistently effective teething reliefs available.
- Frozen carrot — safe, edible, naturally cold. Many puppies love them. Supervise to ensure pieces don’t break off.
- Ice cubes in a bowl — simple, free, and many puppies are fascinated by them
The toy types that work — and why
Rubber chew toys (highest recommendation)
Natural rubber toys designed for puppies — Kong, West Paw Zogoflex, Nylabone puppy range — are purpose-designed to give under pressure rather than splinter. They satisfy the chewing drive without the risk of shards. The ability to stuff them with food makes them infinitely more engaging than unstuffed alternatives.
What to look for: puppy-appropriate hardness (softer rubber than adult chews), appropriate size for the breed, and no small detachable parts.
Rope toys
The loose fibres provide sensory feedback that many teething puppies find satisfying. As the puppy chews, the fibres work between teeth — which also helps with loose baby teeth. Supervise rope toy use and replace when the rope begins to fray into long strings that could be swallowed.
Edible chews
Puppy-appropriate bully sticks, yak chews, and similar products provide a longer-duration chewing session that tires the puppy’s jaw muscles. Choose products appropriate for the puppy’s size and age — adult rawhide and very hard chews are not suitable for young puppies. Supervise all edible chew sessions.
What to avoid
- Hard nylon or plastic toys marketed as “indestructible” — the hardness that makes them indestructible also makes them too hard for puppy teeth and gums. If you press your thumbnail firmly into the toy and leave no mark, it’s too hard.
- Adult rawhide — softens when chewed and can be swallowed in large pieces, causing intestinal obstruction. Specific puppy rawhide products are safer; discuss with your vet.
- Sticks — splinter into sharp fragments that cause mouth and throat injuries and intestinal punctures
- Cooked bones of any kind — cooked bones splinter; raw bones have a different risk profile and should be discussed with a vet before giving
- Toys with squeakers that can be accessed easily — swallowed squeakers are a common obstruction emergency
Managing the chewing drive beyond toys
Even with the best toy selection, teething puppies will chew non-toys. Management strategies alongside appropriate toys:
- Puppy-proof the environment — cables, shoes, and valued items should be out of reach during the teething period, not treated as training opportunities
- Bitter apple spray — on furniture legs and skirting boards; many puppies find the taste aversive
- Redirect immediately and consistently — when the puppy chews something inappropriate, calmly redirect to a toy. Do not use the word “no” in isolation — tell the puppy what to chew, not just what not to chew
- Manage exercise — a tired puppy chews less. See how to tire out a dog indoors for enrichment ideas during the vaccination period