Puppies love chewing things – it’s part of their exploration process! But inappropriate chewing may damage their immature teeth as well as household items within reach.
One way to help decrease their natural urge to bite is to place their favourite chew toys in the freezer – as cold relief from teething pain will soothe their gums and provide much-needed comfort during this transitional stage.
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1. Frozen Fruit and Peanut Butter Ice Cubes
Make homemade dog teething treats using ingredients you already have at home to keep your pup entertained and soothe his gums! Easy DIY techniques allow for delicious homemade treats like ice cubes or frozen banana popsicles that will satisfy both parties involved!
Add fruit (strawberries, bananas and seedless watermelons are ideal), peanut butter and yogurt into a blender before pouring it into an ice cube tray or popsicle mold to freeze for easy chewing and decreased risk. These puppy popsicles make a fun treat! They provide less of a risk for choking incidents.
Add one to a Kong toy as a homemade teething toy for extra fun and variety! These rubber toys with hollow centers can soothe gums while keeping your pup entertained.
2. Frozen Aloe Vera Juice
Puppies love to chew on anything they can find when their gums hurt – including furniture and shoes! Unfortunately, this behavior can damage furniture or shoes and lead to digestive discomfort in both you and the pup.
There are teething treats available that will ease your pup’s discomfort without damaging his delicate gums. Homemade solutions may include mixing fruit purees, peanut butter and yogurt with low sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth if preferred) then freezing in ice cube trays.
Dogsee Chew’s Crunchies or Gnashers Daily Dog Dental Sticks, specially made for puppies and small dogs, contain calcium and protein for eased gum pain during teething.
3. Frozen Kong Toys
When your puppy starts teething, it is essential that their pet parents provide chew toys or items they can use to relieve gum discomfort while engaging their mind and keeping their puppy occupied. A frozen Kong can provide much-needed relief while simultaneously engaging their mind.
Frozen treats in a Kong are safe for your pup, such as bananas, peanut butter, canned pumpkin, spray cheese or low-sodium beef broth. To make it more challenging for your pup’s brain and jaws, mixing in wet and dry food such as kibble with fruit works equally well.
An alternative solution would be a Kong goodie bone specially crafted with puppies in mind and equipped with small ridges designed to promote their oral hygiene and ensure healthy gums and teeth.
4. Frozen Chews
Puppies experiencing teething discomfort often find relief by chewing on something cold to help numb their gums and reduce any associated swelling, similar to how ice packs can help relieve symptoms for an ankle injury.
Frozen chewables can provide your puppy with hours of entertainment and relief, all from within their own home! Simply soak a cloth such as flannel, dish towel or small hand towel in water and then freeze before giving to your pup!
Aloe Vera Juice can also be frozen into ice cube trays or pop molds as an easy, natural teething treat for your puppy. Or blend mashed fruit like bananas or watermelons with peanut butter before filling a chewable toy with this mixture before placing in the freezer for an irresistibly tasty frozen treat!
5. Frozen Chewables
Redman suggests finding chew toys that can be soaked in water and frozen for maximum effectiveness – for instance, Nylabone Chilly Bone toys offer nubby texture massage while helping remove plaque and tartar build-up from gums. Furthermore, she advises giving your pup frozen carrots, which provide essential vitamins and minerals.
Frozen treats like mashed fruit and peanut butter can also make for great teething treats; just ensure that they’re kept small so as not to damage the sensitive gums of teething puppies. Also be sure to supervise while they chew.
