Puppies in their teething stage may chew anything from leather shoes to entire rolls of toilet paper. Unfortunately, this can lead to tooth fractures or become lodged somewhere within their digestive tract causing obstruction or obstruction.
Instead, choose safe chew toys designed for puppies with their delicate jaws in mind. Here are a few of our favorites.
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Soft and Sturdy
As with human children, puppies also suffer from painful gums that lead them to chew on anything within reach to relieve the discomfort they’re feeling. That is why it is crucial that we provide safe and soothing teething toys for our pups.
Soft rubber toys like this one from Kong can help soothe sore gums while providing your pup with chewing satisfaction. Plus, its ridged surfaces help clean teeth and massage gums – not to mention its ability to hold treats for hours of fun entertainment! Just watch your pup closely so they don’t chew off chunks that could pose a choking hazard!
Another option from EETIYS that may appeal to puppy chewers is this squeak and crinkle chew toy, designed by the company with two colors: red and pink. This toy provides something more durable than rawhide bones but should be kept away from younger puppies as it could potentially come apart and pose a choking hazard. Be sure to inspect it often to make sure no pieces have broken off that could pose such risks to them.
Interesting
Many dogs enjoy chewing antlers, knuckle bones and other long-lasting treats such as antlers or knuckle bones; however, these items can crack teeth and pose a choking hazard for puppies. As a safe, vegetarian alternative to rawhide for your puppy’s chews Klein suggests Himalayan chews made of yak and cow’s milk that are easily digestible.
Newman, Grossman and Klein also recommend bully sticks as an effective combination treat-and-toy option for puppies. Unlike Nylabones, bully sticks don’t splinter and are safe for puppies to chew on.
A classic Kong can also make for an excellent teething toy, especially the Puppy Kong version with its smaller, softer design that can be filled with treats or kibble. When pushed or tossed around randomly it rolls and bounces around randomly providing extra entertainment value and mentally stimulating than traditional bone or rope chew toys. Grossman suggests knotted rope toys may help release energy and exercise jaw muscles as well as provide therapeutic cold sensation therapy to sore puppy gums.
Easy to Clean
Puppies love chewing everything they find, but you don’t have to allow their destructiveness get out of hand. A few good teething toys may save your shoes, remote and anything else your pup wants to destroy from his or her chewing habit.
Rubber, nylon or other chew toys may work for puppies; but you should choose wisely; the chewiness of the material, as well as how aggressively your puppy chews can determine its longevity.
Klein emphasizes the importance of selecting chew toys that are easily cleaned. She recommends the Kong Puppy Teething Chew, with raised ribs to massage sore gums and prevent painful gnawing, which comes in various sizes to fit puppies up to 25 pounds. You can even use this toy as a treat dispensing toy by filling it with your pup’s favorite treats; alternatively it can even be frozen for cool relief of sore gums (just be sure not to allow your puppy to bite off and consume any chunks – this poses choking hazards!).
Durable
Experts advise selecting chews designed to accommodate powerful puppy jaws while being soft enough for chewing without creating a choking hazard. Raised nubs or other textures designed to massage gums may also prove helpful in soothing sore gums.
Example of an excellent teething stick for puppies available online – made of bamboo fibers and nylon and featuring prominent ridges to soothe gums while being both affordable and safe.
Klein suggests the classic Kong Chilly Bone toy for dogs that needs cooling relief, which can be submerged in water before freezing for maximum cooling relief. Klein notes it is more durable than rope toys and can even be filled with treats or wet food to extend play.
Keep in mind that all chew toys must be used under close supervision and should be thrown away when broken, have sharp edges or could potentially be chewed off and swallowed by your pet. Also know who your puppy is as some are more aggressive chewers who could damage teeth if given hard chew toys; such toys might not be appropriate.
