The best puppy teething treats are cold, soft enough not to hurt, and made from dog-safe ingredients: frozen carrots, a frozen washcloth, a stuffed rubber toy, or ice cubes made from low-sodium broth. Most puppies lose their baby teeth between 3 and 6 months, and cold chews help calm the itching and soreness.
General information only. Ask your vet before giving new foods, especially to puppies with sensitive stomachs.
Easy teething treats to make at home
Frozen carrot
Wash a large, thick carrot and freeze it. The cold numbs sore gums, and the hardness is gentle enough for puppy teeth. Supervise, and toss the stub once it is small enough to swallow.
Frozen washcloth knot
Wet a clean cotton washcloth, twist or knot it, and freeze. Let your puppy chew with you watching and throw it out when threads come loose.
Stuffed and frozen rubber toy
Fill a rubber toy such as a Kong with a spoonful of plain, unsweetened yogurt, a little mashed banana, or some of your puppy’s wet food. Freeze overnight. Count the filling toward the day’s calories.
Low-sodium broth cubes
Pour plain, low-sodium chicken or beef broth into an ice cube tray and freeze. Make sure the broth has no onion or garlic, which are toxic to dogs. See our guide on using beef broth for dogs for safe ways to serve it.
Banana-yogurt bites
Mash half a banana with a few spoonfuls of plain yogurt, spoon small dollops onto a tray, and freeze. These are a soft, sweet treat. Skip any yogurt with artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs.
Ingredients to avoid
- Xylitol (found in some peanut butters and sugar-free products)
- Grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, chocolate and macadamia nuts
- Large amounts of salt, sugar or fat
- Cooked bones, which can splinter
Safety tips
- Always supervise chewing, and remove pieces that are small enough to choke on.
- Keep treats under about 10 percent of daily calories so your puppy still eats a balanced puppy food.
- Skip very hard chews like real bones, antlers or hard nylon, which can crack baby and adult teeth.
- If your puppy has bleeding gums, retained baby teeth or will not eat, call your vet.
Looking for feeding tips during this stage? Read what to feed a teething puppy, and for a natural chew option, see lamb ears for dogs.
Bottom Line
A frozen carrot, a frozen washcloth or a stuffed rubber toy costs almost nothing and works well for teething puppies. Keep ingredients simple, avoid xylitol and onions, supervise every chew, and check with your vet if your puppy seems to be in pain.
