Puppy Teething Toys - The Top 5 Must-Haves for your Furry Friend

Getting a puppy is an indescribable feeling and a pretty big milestone in life. Deciding on a breed and finally taking your new best friend home brings joy like no other.

However amazing the feeling that you own the cutest, tiniest puppy in the world is, it doesn’t last forever. Very quickly, puppies start to develop personalities and teeth (lots of them) which can bring you suddenly back down to earth. This is a very pivotal moment where you, as the owner, can make a decision…

1. Become defeated by the puppy teething stage and vow never to get a puppy again…although you most definitely will.

2. Be prepared for the teething phase, help your new dog through the discomfort with the best toys, and become the best pup parents in the neighbourhood.

To help you ace choice number 2, we’ve created this guide on our top 5 puppy teething toys. Teething toys are a great way to help the teething process and can help puppies to learn what they can and can’t chew (including you).

These kinds of toys also help to soothe puppies during this stage and reduce the likelihood of sore gums. They also help them control their excess energy while building mental development. Finding your puppy a new favourite toy will keep your ever-chewing puppy busy for hours

If you’re unfamiliar with the puppy teething process, you’re in luck as we’ve also written this helpful guide.

Training your puppy to use teething toys doesn’t have to be an art form only a few have skilfully mastered. With our help, you can get your puppy to chew their things such as specific teething toys and stay far away from yours.

Although the training process might not happen overnight, with persistence and consistency you can help your dog to enjoy chewing on their teething toys without destroying other things in your home!

Whilst you introduce teething toys, it’s best to puppy-proof your house so that your pup doesn’t continue to chew anything they think will get them rewarded. At the end of the day, they’re still very young so don’t blame them if they get confused! If your home is puppy-proofed, you won’t have to worry about any tooth-related accidents.

 
Teething toys can be introduced from around 12 weeks up until your pup is around 24 weeks old. It’s also important not to give your dog toys that are shaped like off-limit items e.g., shoes or food items. This is a key tip for new pet parents.

 
The best way to introduce your pup to teething toys is to give them a few different options and incorporate them into playtime. When you see your pup taking their teething toy from their toy box, praise them. If they pick up something inappropriate, swap it out for them.

By consistently doing this, they’ll associate chewing episodes with teething toys and positive reinforcement. Keep teething items on hand and you won’t have to worry about your favourite purse or piece of furniture being shredded in the process of your puppy losing their baby teeth for their adult permanent teeth!

There are many types of toys from plush to solid toys to rope toys and even soft rubber ones for the smaller pups. There's sure to be one that matches your puppy toy preferences.

When selecting the best chew for puppies, it’s important to take into account any potential hazards such as choking and the materials that are used. Tough materials are great for aggressive chewers and flexible materials are ideal for the tiny puppers with less jaw strength.

Additionally, using toys for dogs as a form of mental stimulation and dental health is a great way to keep your puppy happy and healthy. 

So what are the best teething toys for puppies? We’re glad you asked. Luckily for you, we’ve got our thinking caps on and done the hard work for you - resulting in the top 5 teething toys for curious puppies.

The Nylabone is a unique dental device made from both tough, durable nylon and a softer flexible polymer creating an enjoyable experience for puppies. With an irresistible bacon flavour and available in three sizes, the Nylabone is suitable for a wide range of both small and large breeds!

This toy is also suitable for adult dogs but it is worth noting that no toy is indestructible, so always supervise your puppy when they are using toys and do not leave them unattended.

The Petstages Dogwood Stick uses wood alternative to create a strong and durable stick safe for puppies. Due to the natural wood smell, it attracts dogs and keeps their interest for a very long time!

Not only does it float in water (making it perfect for on-the-go walkies), but it’s designed exclusively for mini-breed dogs. This means that your little dog doesn’t have to compromise and use a toy designed for bigger breeds, they can enjoy teething toys too!

When it comes to long-lasting toys, KONG really set the standard. Their durable material toys are great for both strong and fussy dogs as you can fill them with lots of tasty treats.

The KONG Puppy Tire is a tough toy, available in a variety of sizes and colours to suit large, small, and medium breeds. It is a more modern and robust version of popular teething rings used for both pups and human babies. It can also be placed in the freezer to help with teething relief.

Fill with their favourite treats or paste (or peanut butter, for example) and watch your happy puppy be entertained for hours.

This classic KONG Puppy Teething toy is designed for a growing puppy’s teeth. It makes a perfect first chew toy and is made from an all-natural classic rubber formula making it super gentle.

If you’ve got a bit of an aggressive chewer on your hands, this KONG toy can help to teach appropriate chewing behaviour. 

 
With the hole in the bottom, your pup’s favourite treats can still be stashed giving them hours of endless fun. This KONG toy is available in 2 colours and 4 sizes making it a crowd-pleaser for all. It also helps with teeth cleaning action, win-win!

Another firm favourite is the KONG Puppy Goodie Bone. With a natural and softer rubber, this durable toy is shaped to house lots of goodies resulting in a happy but busy puppy.

Gone are the days of boredom with the KONG Goodie Bone as this toy is designed with puppies in mind. It’s perfect for use up to 9 months of age and can soothe aching gums.

You may also be pleased to know that all KONG toys mentioned in this article are sold by Lords and Labradors - an exclusive partner here at Waggel with all members currently securing 15% off all puppy and kitten products.

A teething puppy can cause a bit of stress at times, we get it. Trying to soothe their sore gums whilst finding them a durable toy can be difficult and Proper dental care is important for any canine parent.

But, we hope that through our top 5 recommendations, you can help your puppy through teething with ease.

Toys like the specifically formulated range from KONG can help your puppy enjoy a tasty treat whilst keeping themselves entertained and enriched. They also come in the correct size for all types of dogs and breeds.

There are also lots of tug rope-style toys and teething chews that can help those super-strong pups on their journey to adult teeth and additional steps to take when bringing your puppy home such as crate training to perfect polite manners. If you need some help with puppy toilet training, look no further.

Our top tip and the main takeaway from this article is to just be patient. Provide your puppy with a range of different teething toys to help them understand the difference between their items and things that are strictly off-limits.

Don’t forget about positive reinforcement when they choose to chew on a teething toy as this will encourage positive behaviour in the future.

Most importantly, you can breathe a sigh of relief as this process doesn’t last forever! Though it can be intense, the teething phase only lasts till your pup is around 6 months old. After that, you can look forward to a lifetime of good fun.

For extra peace of mind, we recommend insuring your puppy from as young as 8 weeks old. Our Lifetime policies will help to protect them through thick and thin. It also means that any conditions you claim for once they’re ensured early on won’t be categorised as pre-existing.