Teething puppies need something to chew, and if you don’t want it to be your shoes then you need to pick up one of the best teething toys for puppies.
Basically all of the best dog toys end up in your pooch’s mouth at some point, but teething toys are specifically designed to be chewed and gnawed on by your teething puppy. As a result, they’re more resilient than your average tennis ball. Typically made from rubber, or similar materials, teething toys will stand up to your young canine’s fearsome bite, while still offering enough give to avoid hurting them, or damaging their new teeth.
Puppy teething starts at different times depending on the breed, but they usually get their baby teeth through in the first 4 - 6 weeks, and typically start losing their baby teeth at the 12 - 16 week mark. If you want to know more about the process, check out our article looking at how long puppy teething lasts.
Older dogs love chewing toys too though, so if you have an older pooch who still likes to chow down on their toys, then check out our guide to the best dog chew toys.
Dr. Rebecca MacMillan is a companion animal vet with over 13 years of experience treating and looking after pets. She graduated from the UK Royal Veterinary college in 2009, and has worked in several practices over the years. Rebecca is also an experienced writer, using her veterinary background to offer expert opinion and advice.
PetsRadar's pick of the best teething toys for puppies
The puppy equivalent of the best-selling Kong toy for grown dogs, this version features a soft rubber formula that is specially customized for a growing pup's baby teeth and gums.
Like its grown-up counterpart, what makes Kong so great for pet owners and dog alike is the ability to stuff it with kibble or gooey homemade dog treats. Simply pop in your canine's preferred grub and watch them go.
Not only this is puppy teether a great dog chew toy, ideal for distracting them from chewing through your entire household, it's also a fantastic mental game keeping them entertained for hours.
You can use it to play fetch, or simply let your pup play and dig out the contents to their heart's delight; the durability of the rubber will withstand even the roughest canine teeth, whilst being soft enough to soothe them.
The main drawback here lies in the product's key selling point. If you'd rather not fill your Kong with gooey DIY produce due to mess and smell, then this might not be for you.
If you're looking for one of the best durable toys out there, then look no further than the CPYOSN Durable Dog Chew Toy.
This puppy teether is made from thick, ultra tough natural rubber which is hard enough to withstand even the most destructible dog breed's teeth whilst retaining flexibility.
The bumps and grooves built into the ring's design are fantastic here, helping to massage gums and clean teeth. You can let your pup tear into it without fear of damaging their teeth or causing a chaotic mess around your home.
There's no stuffing inside, no squeakers, no need to use messy food inside and the beef scent is purely for canines.
Available in two bright colors, the chew ring remains intact even when given to the rowdiest pups so it presents fantastic long-lasting value, particularly at its attractive price point.
Do note, however, that smallers breeds may find they've bitten off more than they can chew since the ring is on the heavier side.
Clean your little one's teeth, freshen their breath and give them something to chew on with this great dental teething toy from ONTWOPETS.
Available in two sizes, the bone-shaped toy features soft spikes and smooth grooves that help gently sweep away plaque, tartar and debris while massaging the gums and providing relief from teething pain.
Infused with a natural mint or vanilla flavor, the toy also works beautifully with doggy toothpaste if you're wanting to give your pup's teeth an extra clean. The rubber is safe, non-toxic and durable, and the varying degrees of hardness provide variety while your fur baby chews.
This is a great toy, both for health and play, and it can be popped in the dishwasher, making it a breeze to clean. The one thing worth noting is that it's not been designed for aggressive chewers, so if you have one of those on your hands, check out our top pick above.
Ideal for summer, the NWK Pet Teether Cooling Chew Toy is like a cool water sports accessory for canines.
It's a tough chewing ring with water inside that's perfect for throwing to your pooch outdoors or opt to freeze it instead and it becomes a stress-busting cooling aid for your pup.
The cooling action provides extra relief during the teething stage, while its thick design is naturally extra durable for dog chewing.
Expect a toy that's on the larger side, however. If your puppy is perfectly petite over full-bodied, they might find this more than a mouthful.
Ideal for smaller dog breeds, the Nylabone Just for Puppies Teething Chew Toy weighs in at a light 82 grams.
One of the most stylish teething toy for puppies on the list, its key design is fun and colorful with the long bendable shapes ideal for pups who find other shapes difficult to hold in the mouth. They'll love carrying it back to their cosy den to own and to chew.
Fortunately, this toy is built for a canine's grip. Made from thermoplastic polymer, its solid and durable enough for the most part to withstand even a mini teething monster's jaws.
Pet owners will likely want to supervise use, however, as some dog parents have noticed their pups chewing off pieces.
This set of washable chews and squeaky toys looks so cute, you almost want to play with it yourself. Aimed specifically at small teething dogs, the bag contains three chews of different textures and shapes, helping to ensure your puppy is less likely to become bored – something that could result in them seeking out other more precious items in your home instead.
Each of the chews is attached to a braided cotton rope which allows a puppy to easily fetch and carry it to a favorite spot. It also lets a dog place down a paw to keep the chew in place, making it easy for them to gnaw on the main thermoplastic rubber component. That said, some users report the cotton being easy to rip apart. It's advisable to keep an eye on your dog during chewing and, if problems arise, consider detaching the rope and handing over the main part.
In any case, the texture of each chew is designed to keep a puppy engaged and the manufacturer claims the chews will keep teeth clean while soothing the gums. In addition, the two squeaky toys can also prove a further distraction, with the main toy – a fun-looking rabbit-like doll – having a cracking sound within the body, adding interest. When teething, a dog's mind needs to be occupied and these will definitely help. It'd also be interesting to see which of the toys becomes a favorite.
How to choose teething toys for puppies
Age
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As puppies transition, you'll want to opt for the best chew toy for every stage of their life. At 8-12 weeks, consider a Nylabone teething ring to massage their gums or opt for the Kong Natural Teething Rubber Puppy Toy which can be filled with soothing frozen treats. As your pup leaves the teething period (around 24 weeks) you can then introduce quality chew toys designed for adults, including rope toys, fetch toys and transition into a Kong Classic or Kong Extreme.
Type
There's a wide variety of teething toys for puppies out there but some of the best types include sturdy rubber toys for both safety and durability, while bully sticks can also make a great choice for teething puppies.
You should avoid natural chew toys such as bones, antlers and hooves as these can be too hard on your young pup's mouth or even too large for them in the first instance. Always look for a product that's been professionally devised to help with your puppy's teething phase.
Durability & Safety
Where tiny teeth are involved, it goes without saying that you'll want teething toys that are highly durable so that smaller parts don't come off and pose a hazard to your pup.
Look for high quality, tough rubber that's firm enough to stand up to chewing but that's soft enough for developing teeth. You'll find many puppy teething products use softer material than their adult counterpart for this reason.
Chew level
If your pup is a particularly aggressive chewer or is a larger breed, then a teething stick can be a wise option. Products like the Kong Puppy Teething Stick are designed to be as indestructible as they come but you should always supervise your puppy's play with any toy to be on the safe side.
At what age do puppies need teething toys?
"Puppies start to lose their deciduous (milk) teeth at around 4-5 months of age." explains Dr Rebecca MacMillan. "It usually starts with the small incisors at the front of the mouth, with the larger teeth following later on."
During this time, you might start to notice symptoms like increased chewing behavior, drooling, a small amount of bleeding when a tooth is lost, and eventually the emergence of new adult teeth. If you start to notice these symptoms, and you don't want to see your shoes and other belongings on the chomping block, then you should stock up on some puppy teething toys.
Dr MacMillan recommends that you "provide a variety of textures, as some pups like something firm to bite down on whereas others want something textured or soft."
The teething process doesn't last long, as MacMillan explains to us that "by 6 months of age or older your dog will have lost all of his deciduous teeth and will have all 42 permanent ones."
