PetsCareLab

One of the most effective ways to keep your new puppy joyful and make their transition into your home as smooth as possible is by offering plenty of age-appropriate puppy teething toys. These chew toys not only keep your puppy entertained and active but also help prevent unwanted chewing on furniture or other items.

When selecting the best and safest teething toys, consider your puppy’s age, breed, size, temperament, and stage of tooth development.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect chew toys for your puppy and the ideal times to introduce them.

What Are the Best Chew Toys for Puppies 4-24 Weeks Old?

Wondering when to start offering your puppy teething toys? Follow this age-based timeline to help you pick the right toys at the right time.

Birth to 12 Weeks Old: No Teething Toys Required Yet

While puppies may start developing their baby teeth as early as 4 weeks old, this early stage typically doesn’t require chew toys or enrichment beyond their cozy nest with mom and littermates.

Between 4 and 12 weeks, deciduous (baby) teeth continue to emerge. Most puppies won’t need teething toys during this period since they’re primarily transitioning from nursing to soft puppy food. Their tiny teeth are sharp but fragile, so toys designed for older dogs could easily harm their delicate mouths.

12 to 24 Weeks Old: The Peak Teething Phase

Between 12 and 24 weeks, your puppy’s baby teeth begin to fall out and are replaced by more durable adult teeth. This is the prime teething period, often accompanied by significant discomfort for your pup and some frustration for you.

During this time, it’s essential to provide chew toys that relieve teething pain and divert your puppy from gnawing on furniture, shoes, toes, or even other pets! Be sure to select puppy-designated chew toys that suit your puppy’s size, breed, and chewing vigor.

Nylabone puppy teething toys, like the Nylabone teething rings and teething pacifiers, are excellent choices. Their textured surfaces feature raised nubs that gently massage aching gums as your puppy chews.

KONG Puppy products are also a favorite at this age. Many can be stuffed with treats and frozen, offering a soothing cold sensation that helps numb sore gums. KONG offers various puppy-specific teething toys tailored for different breeds and sizes—just ensure your larger puppy doesn’t accidentally swallow a toy meant for smaller dogs.

More durable toys, like the KONG Puppy Teething Stick, are ideal for vigorous chewers and larger-breed puppies who need a tougher challenge.

24 Weeks Old and Beyond: Ready for Adult Chew Toys

By around 24 weeks, your puppy’s permanent teeth should be in place, bringing relief from teething discomfort. At this stage, your growing pup is usually less inclined to chew inappropriately.

Now you can explore a broader range of safe, adult-appropriate toys tailored to your puppy’s size and energy level, including:

• Rope toys: Such as the Frisco rope dog toy with five knots or the KONG AirDog fetch stick with a rope attachment
• Flying discs: Like the West Paw Zogoflex Zisc flying disc toy made for interactive play
• Fetch toys: Options include the ChuckIt! Flying Squirrel or the ChuckIt! Classic Ball Launcher for energetic play sessions
• Distraction/chew toys: Durable favorites like KONG Classic or KONG Extreme provide long-lasting chewing satisfaction
• Comfort/plush toys: Soft companions like the KONG CuteSeas Octopus or Frisco’s Muscle Plush Squeaking Wolf cater to medium to giant breeds offering emotional comfort

Matching Puppy Teething Toys to Your Puppy’s Personality

When selecting the ideal chew toys for your pup, also take their personality and habits into account:

• Does your puppy spend a lot of time alone in their crate or personal space? (opt for distraction toys)
• Is your puppy highly active and playful with family members or other pets? (choose action toys)
• Does your puppy seem shy or anxious around new people or environments? (comfort toys might be best)

Understanding your puppy’s behavior will help you choose toys that perfectly suit their unique needs—whether that’s distraction toys, action toys, or comforting plush companions.

Distraction Toys (Rubber Treat-Holding Toys)

Distraction toys that double as teething relief tools are perfect for puppies who spend extended periods alone when you’re away.

Classic rubber toys, like specially formulated puppy versions of the iconic KONG, are soft enough for sensitive puppy gums. These toys can be stuffed with tasty treats or even frozen to provide hours of engaging enrichment and soothing chewing.

While not strictly teething toys, puzzle toys such as the Pet Zone IQ Treat Dispenser challenge your puppy’s mind and keep them entertained as they work to unlock hidden rewards.

Action Toys (Fetch and Rope Toys)

For puppies that never seem to slow down, action toys are a great way to combine physical activity with healthy chewing outlets.

Fetch Toys

Fetch toys are excellent for energetic pups, helping them burn off steam while strengthening your bond during playtime. Dog park visits or backyard fetch sessions become even more fun with these toys.

Though tennis balls are popular for fetch, they can pose risks if your puppy chews off and swallows the felt or fragments of the rubber core. Always supervise your puppy when playing with tennis balls.

To address this, the ChuckIt! Ball Launcher and corresponding ChuckIt! tennis balls feature thicker, more durable rubber cores, and come in various sizes to suit different breeds. Remember to adhere to size recommendations to prevent choking hazards or accidental swallowing.

Rope Toys

Rope toys are fantastic for gentle tug-of-war games and satisfy your puppy’s chewing urge. However, play tug carefully — avoid excessive force or letting your pup hang from the rope, as this can cause injury or encourage possessive behavior.

Rope toys work best for older, larger puppies or adult dogs with fully developed teeth. Tug-of-war is not recommended for very young puppies (under 12 weeks) since their jaws and teeth are still fragile and vulnerable to injury.

Choose rope toys made from strong, tightly braided cotton fibers with secure knots to prevent unraveling. Avoid frayed ropes, as loose threads can be hazardous if ingested, potentially causing intestinal blockages or dangerous tongue entanglements.

Comfort Toys (Soft Plush Toys)

Soft plush toys serve as perfect companions for younger puppies who aren’t yet vigorous chewers and for those needing emotional comfort, such as small breeds, orphaned pups, or dogs with anxiety.

These comforting companions provide snuggling buddies during sleep or simulate the nurturing feel of nursing for prematurely weaned puppies. Brands like GoDog and KONG Cozies offer a delightful range of snuggly plush toys to choose from.

When selecting plush toys, ensure they:

• Are constructed with reinforced seams to resist tearing
• Lack dangling ribbons, tags, or loose plastic parts that could be chewed off and swallowed (eyes and noses are common chewing targets)
• Have squeakers or bells that are regularly inspected for damage to prevent accidental ingestion leading to blockages

Since plush toys can get dirty during house-training, choose ones that are durable enough to withstand frequent machine washing.

Can Some Toys Damage a Puppy’s Teeth?

Absolutely. While natural chews like antlers, bones, and hooves may seem like appealing alternatives to synthetic toys, they can pose serious risks to your puppy’s oral and digestive health.

Common injuries from these items include:

• Broken or fractured teeth, as well as cuts inside the mouth
• Perforation of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines—especially if the chew splinters
• Intestinal blockages if large pieces are swallowed whole

Broken teeth can cause intense pain and often necessitate veterinary intervention under anesthesia to remove damaged portions.

More dangerously, intestinal perforations or blockages are life-threatening emergencies often requiring surgery to remove swallowed fragments and repair affected tissues.

For these reasons, it’s best to stick to vet-recommended, safe chew toys specifically designed to protect your puppy’s growing teeth and overall well-being.