Have you just brought a new puppy into your home? Are they chewing on your furniture or anything else they come in contact with, including you? Puppy teething toys can help make this stage of development easier.
This post will look at what puppy teething toys are, how they can help your puppy and what to look for when deciding what kind to get the newest member of your family.
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What Are Puppy Teething Toys?
Puppy teething toys are toys specially designed to help your puppy get through their teething stage until their permanent teeth come in.
How Do Puppy Teething Toys Work?
Puppy teething toys work by giving your puppy something to chew on instead of you or your furniture.
They can come in different flavors that may be palatable for your puppy and are just the right firmness so as to not damage their teeth.
Some puppy teething toys can also be frozen, which can help to soothe their sore gums.
When Should I Give My Puppy Teething Toys?
Teething in puppies usually starts at 3 to 3 ½ months of age and can last until they are 6 or even 7 months old in some dogs.
When you notice your puppy start to chew things or lose some teeth, you will want to start giving them some teething toys.
Are Teething Toys Good For Dogs?
Teething toys are a great way to help a teething puppy. They can:
- Give your dog something made for them without worry it will damage their teeth.
- Distract your dog from chewing household items.
- Soothe sore and aching gums when the toy is frozen.
- Help to clean teeth and freshen breath as they chew on them.
How Do I Use A Puppy Teething Toy?
When you notice your dog trying to chew on something, giving them a teething toy will distract them from chewing the original object and give them something positive to focus on.
You may want to have several teething toys available so you can keep some in the freezer and some out of the freezer in case you need to use one quickly to stop their destructive behavior.
Always supervise your puppy when they are having a chewing session.
What Should I Look For When Selecting A Puppy Teething Toy For My Dog?
When selecting a teething toy to get your puppy, some things you may want to look for include:
Flavor
Toys come in various flavors and you may have to try a few until you find a flavor your dog likes to chew on.
Size
Choose a toy that is suitable for your puppy’s mouth size and easy to grasp for them to chew on it.
Ability To Freeze
Having a frozen toy to chew on can help soothe sore gums and provide pain relief.
Nubs and Ridges
If you are looking to also help clean your dog’s teeth, look for a toy that has nubs and/ridges to help clean their teeth as they chew on it.
Material
Choose a material that is hard enough that it will satisfy their drive to chew, but also soft enough that it won’t damage their teeth. If your dog is a very aggressive chewer, you will want to make sure the toy can stand up to a lot of chewing without pieces being able to break off, as this can then become a choking hazard.
Treat Filler
If you are looking to have your pup work for some extra treats, some teething toys have area that you can use to fill with peanut butter or treats for some extra fun.
Is It Ok To Give Teething Puppies Ice Cubes?
It is not a good idea to give a teething puppy ice cubes. On the surface it sounds great: ice helps to soothe their gums. The problem is that ice cubes are very hard. This can lead to damage to your puppy’s teeth. Your pup may also swallow the ice cube, which can then become a choking hazard.
Are Carrots Good For Teething Puppies?
Carrots are a great option to give to your teething puppy. They are a healthy treat that are easily chewed. Carrots can also clean your pup’s teeth as they chew them and they can also be frozen.
What Can I Give My Teething Puppy To Chew On?
Here are examples of 5 puppy teething toys you can try to help soothe their gums and provide something positive for them to chew on. Product information is according to the manufacturer.
Nylabone Puppy Chew X Bone
This teething toy is flexible and can be frozen.
- Beef flavor.
- Designed specifically for teething puppies.
- Can be frozen to soothe gums.
- Recommended for puppies up to 15 lbs.
- Flexible.
- Helps clean teeth and freshen breath.
Kong Puppy Tires Dog Toy
These toys are made of rubber and can be filled with treats.
- Available in two sizes.
- Designed to encourage positive play.
- Can be frozen to soothe gums.
- Promotes healthy teeth and gums.
- Made of rubber.
- Inner track can be filled with treats.
- Made in the USA.
Sweet Paws Wearable Puppy Teether Stack
These teething toys are made to be worn by you so you have a toy to give your dog to distract them from chewing on something they shouldn’t right away.
- Made of food grade silicone.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Phthalate free.
- Lead free.
- BPA free.
Benebone Bacon Flavor Wishbone Tough Puppy Chew Toy
These toys are made to be easy for dogs to hold while chewing. These should be avoided if anyone in your household is allergic to peanuts.
- Best for dogs under 30 lbs.
- Paw friendly design.
- Softer material helps soothe teething.
- Avoid if anyone in your household has peanut allergies.
- Made of nylon.
- Made in the USA.
Buibiiu Puppy Teething Toys
This is a teething toy set. Some of the toys in this set are soft so they are not good for heavy chewers.
- Comes with 6 toys.
- Includes 3 soft toys and 3 rope toys.
- Machine washable.
- Zebra squeaks.
Having a new puppy come into your life is wonderful. Having your puppy chew your furniture, chew holes in your favorite clothes, or nip at you is not so fun. Puppy teething toys can distract your dog from destructive chewing while soothing their gums at the same time.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.