Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a lot of chewing. Puppies go through a teething phase that can be challenging for both the puppy and their owners. During this time, puppies chew excessively to soothe their sore gums and help their adult teeth break through. Providing the right dog toys can make this process easier, safer, and more enjoyable for your furry friend.

If you’re a new puppy parent or someone managing a doggy day care, understanding which teething toys work best can significantly improve a puppy’s behavior and comfort. This blog explores the best options for teething toys, their benefits, and tips for choosing the right ones for your puppy’s needs.

Understanding the Teething Phase in Puppies

Before diving into the best toys, it’s important to understand what happens during teething. Puppies typically begin teething at around 3 weeks of age when their baby teeth start to come in. Around 12 to 16 weeks, these baby teeth begin to fall out and are replaced by adult teeth. This process lasts until the puppy is about 6 months old.

During this period, puppies experience discomfort and often chew on anything they can find to relieve the pain. This chewing instinct is natural and necessary but can lead to damaged furniture, shoes, or even harm if puppies chew on inappropriate or dangerous items.

Why Are Teething Toys Important?

Teething toys are specially designed to provide relief by massaging the gums and offering a safe outlet for chewing. They serve multiple purposes:

• Pain relief: Soft, textured toys soothe inflamed gums.

• Mental stimulation: Chewing keeps puppies engaged and prevents boredom.

• Behavioral training: Encourages puppies to chew on toys rather than household items.

• Dental health: Helps clean teeth and prevent plaque buildup.

By selecting the right dog toys for teething, you protect your belongings and support your puppy’s health and happiness.

Characteristics of Good Teething Toys for Puppies

Not all dog toys are suitable for teething puppies. Here’s what to look for when choosing the best toys:

1. Safe Materials

Choose toys made from non-toxic, durable, and puppy-safe materials. Avoid toys with small parts that can be swallowed or pose choking hazards.

2. Appropriate Size

Toys should be large enough that puppies can’t swallow them but easy to hold and chew.

3. Soft Yet Durable

Teething toys should be firm enough to provide resistance but soft enough to avoid damaging sensitive gums.

4. Textured Surfaces

Toys with ridges, bumps, or nubs help massage gums and increase chewing satisfaction.

5. Easy to Clean

Puppies’ toys should be washable to keep them hygienic.

Top Types of Teething Toys for Puppies

Here are some of the best types of teething toys that work well during your puppy’s teething phase:

Rubber Chew Toys

One of the most popular options, rubber chew toys are soft yet resilient. They offer the perfect balance of texture and toughness. Some come hollow so you can fill them with treats or peanut butter, encouraging your puppy to chew longer and stay occupied.

Nylon Bones

Nylon bones are durable and designed specifically to withstand aggressive chewing. Many brands offer softer versions for puppies that help clean teeth and massage gums without hurting them. However, always supervise your puppy to prevent excessive chewing that might cause teeth damage.

Plush Toys with Chew Reinforcements

While plush toys are generally soft, some are reinforced to withstand chewing. They provide comfort and a gentle chewing surface, perfect for less aggressive chewers. However, plush toys should not be left unattended with puppies that tend to shred toys easily.

Rope Toys

Rope toys offer both texture and resistance, which can be great for teething puppies. The fibers help clean teeth naturally, and they also encourage interactive play like tug-of-war. Be sure to monitor for any fraying or ingestion of rope strands.

Freezable Teething Toys

Cold is an excellent way to reduce gum inflammation. Some teething toys can be frozen before use, providing extra relief during painful teething episodes. These toys are typically made of rubber or silicone and designed to retain cold temperature safely.

Silicone Chew Toys

Silicone toys are soft, safe, and flexible. They are gentle on the gums and easy to clean. Many puppies enjoy chewing on silicone toys because of their unique texture.

How to Introduce Teething Toys to Your Puppy

Introducing your puppy to new dog toys requires patience and encouragement. Here are a few tips to make the process smooth:

• Start early: Introduce toys as soon as you notice teething signs to divert chewing from household items.

• Use treats: Fill hollow toys with treats or spread a bit of peanut butter to attract your puppy.

• Praise and reward: Encourage your puppy with positive reinforcement when they chew on the toys.

• Rotate toys: Keep interest high by rotating different toys every few days.

• Supervise: Always supervise playtime with new toys to ensure safety.

Benefits of Providing the Right Toys in Doggy Day Care

For those running or working at a doggy day care, supplying suitable teething toys is essential. Puppies in daycare environments benefit from:

• Reduced destructive chewing and damage to the facility.

• Happier, more comfortable puppies that are less stressed.

• Opportunities for socialization through play with safe toys.

• Easier management of multiple puppies with varied chewing needs.

Having a range of teething toys suited to different chewing styles helps maintain a calm and safe environment for all pups.

What to Avoid When Choosing Teething Toys

While many toys claim to be good for teething, some can do more harm than good. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Toys that are too hard: Extremely hard toys can cause tooth fractures.

• Small or easily destructible toys: Risk choking or ingestion.

• Toys with toxic chemicals or dyes: Always choose high-quality, non-toxic toys.

• Rawhide chews for young puppies: They can splinter or cause digestive issues.

• Human items: Avoid giving your puppy anything not designed for dogs, like sticks or household objects.

DIY Teething Toy Ideas

If you want to create teething relief at home, here are some easy ideas:

• Frozen washcloth: Wet a clean washcloth, twist it into a rope shape, and freeze it. It provides cold soothing relief.

• Frozen carrot: A large carrot chunk (supervised) can be a safe and natural chew toy.

• Frozen peanut butter treat: Spread peanut butter inside a hollow rubber toy and freeze it for a tasty, cooling chew.

Always monitor your puppy with DIY toys to ensure safety.

Signs Your Puppy Needs a Teething Toy

Knowing when to offer a teething toy is important. Watch for these signs:

• Excessive chewing on furniture, shoes, or hands.

• Drooling or pawing at the mouth.

• Irritability or fussiness.

• Swollen or bleeding gums.

• Chewing on bedding or other soft household items.

When you spot these signs, providing the right teething toys can make a huge difference.

Maintaining Your Puppy’s Teeth After Teething

Once your puppy’s adult teeth have fully emerged, the chewing behavior may calm down but maintaining dental health remains critical.

• Continue to provide durable dog toys that promote chewing and dental hygiene.

• Brush your puppy’s teeth regularly.

• Schedule regular vet check-ups for dental health.

• Use dental chews or treats recommended by your vet.

Good oral care now sets the foundation for a healthy dog in the future.

Final Thoughts

Teething is a natural but sometimes challenging stage in your puppy’s life. Providing the right teething toys helps soothe sore gums, satisfies their natural chewing instincts, and prevents destructive behavior. Whether you’re a new puppy parent or managing a doggy day care, understanding what works best for teething puppies is essential.

Look for safe, textured, and appropriately sized toys made from durable, non-toxic materials. Experiment with different types like rubber, nylon, rope, and freezable toys to find what your puppy enjoys most. Introducing toys early and supervising their use will promote healthy chewing habits and a happy puppy.

With the right teething toys, you can help your puppy grow into a well-behaved, healthy adult dog—and enjoy a smoother, less stressful teething phase for everyone involved.