Puppies, like human babies, go through teething stage. This stage is where their baby teeth finally grow out of their gums, which will be replaced by adult teeth in a few months. And since this will be a long period for your dog, it will just try to chew on anything to relieve their pain. This is the best time when you can introduce them to teething toys.
For most dog owners, this phenomenon is an expected phase of raising a puppy. We might have some toys at hand ready and waiting for our newborn pups to chew on, but sometimes, we still see some who are dissatisfied with their current chew toys and eventually turn to other objects – like our everyday shoes and beautiful curtains.
That’s why having a lot of options for your puppy when they’re in their teething stage is a great way to keep them out of going through things that are not appropriate for chewing.
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How to relieve your puppy’s teething pain?
Ice Cubes
Ice cubes help numb a puppy’s gums. They can also be fun chew treats for the summer season, so they can relieve teething pain while helping your pup keep cool in hot weathers. And can also be good toys for teething puppies.
Natural Remedies
Chamomile tea and aloe vera juice are natural remedies that can relieve your puppy’s teething pains. A room temperature herbal tea can be a simple way to keep your pup calm while teething. Aloe vera has soothing properties, so their juice can be given to a puppy or rubbed on directly to their sore gums.
Teething Toys
There are a variety of toys that are made specifically for teething puppies. From rope toys to nylon dog bones, there are plenty of choices in the market that can help your dog have fun while soothing their gums at the same time.
What to look for in a chew toy for teething pups
Texture
Rope toys have rough texture that can rub on a puppy’s gums to relieve itchiness and pain. Plastic and synthetic chew toys, on the other hand, have smooth and durable construction perfect as a long-lasting toy for your growing puppy.
Flavor
Flavored chew toys are now a popular item in the market, giving your puppy a more comfortable and enjoyable experience while they are teething. A flavored chew toy also encourages them to gnaw on the product if their teeth are only beginning to show.
There are also a variety of flavors that you can choose from, so you’ll have no problem getting a chew toy that will suit your puppy’s tastes.
Edible or not
Rawhide, antler, pizzle sticks, or hardened formulas – like the N-Bone Teething Ring – are edible chew toys that also provide a tough surface that they can gnaw on. They are all-natural and can be quite a treat to your pup. They are also extremely durable and have slightly rough surfaces that can soothe your puppy’s gums.
Other features (can be stuffed with treats, dental health, etc.)
There are also types of toys that have extra features, like hollow centers where you can put in peanut butter or treats, or textures – like nubs and soft barbs – that promote dental health.
Chew Toy Types and Their Benefits
Rope Toys
Rope toys are flexible and can be shaped into a lot of interesting figures. They can be turned into balls, rings, and other shapes that can be a fun, engaging toy for your pup. And since it is made with fabric, it can give your dog a satisfying feeling as soon as they sink their teeth into it. Rope toys can also be great dental toys, since its threads can serve as a kind of floss to pry off food debris in between their teeth.
Nylon/Plastic Toys
Nylon or plastic chew toys are durable enough that can be constructed with nubs, barbs, and other types of surfaces. These are helpful when your puppy needs a textured surface that can massage their gums while teething. They can also be designed with an ergonomic shape, to make it easier for your pup to hold on to.
Dental Chew Toys
Dental chew toys can be the same as nylon toys, but they have specific designs that help get food debris out from your puppy’s teeth. These designs can get into the nooks and crannies inside your puppy’s mouth without hurting them and may also help relieve their pain during their teething period.
Edible Chew Toys
Although there are a lot of flavored plastic chew toys, edible chew toys are much safer for them to gnaw on. Since they can be dissolved without harming your puppy, edible teething toys can be a great way to introduce your puppy to new flavors. They can be made with different shapes and textures as well, to massage and rub on your puppy’s gums to relieve teething pain.
Treat Toys
These types of toys are what we call “interactive” toys where your pup will need to use their mental strength to get the treats out of the toy. Treat toys usually have an ergonomic design to make it easy for the owner to use, but make it a little difficult for dogs to get the treat from the inside. This will surely take up a lot of your puppy’s time and keep them entertained for hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When does a puppy stop teething?
When your puppy is three weeks old, that’s when teething usually starts. But when it ends actually depends on your dog’s breed. Because they’re teeth grow like humans, their puppy teeth will need to be replaced with adult teeth – which will probably happen on their 7th or 8th month. That’s why they’re teething stage may last up to one year until all their puppy teeth are replaced by adult ones.
Larger breed dogs usually go through their teething stage faster than smaller breeds.
How frequent should you replace their chew toy
It depends on how much your dog has chewed through it. If it becomes small enough for them to accidentally swallow it, then you should definitely get a replacement.
Other precautions when giving them teething toys?
Always supervise your dog when they are playing. You should be there to help them if they accidentally get their teeth stuck in the toy, or to pick up large chunks of the toy before they get a chance to swallow it.
Best Chew Toys for Puppies
Best for Value for Money Rope Chew Toys – Alvi & Remi Puppy Chew Teething Toys
This pack of rope toys from Alvi & Remi has a variety of knots that can be quite entertaining for your teething pup. All of them are made from 100% cotton and floss fabric blend, so it won’t be too rough on your pup’s sensitive gums. They are also quite textured, making it a fun way to get rid of food debris stuck between your puppy’s teeth.
The set you will get will have different designs at random, but they’re all colorful and fun to play with. If your puppy loves playing tug of war, then these are the perfect toys for them. Having several toys in one pack, this will never bore your puppy, they can easily turn to another one.
Key Features:
- Made from 100% cotton and floss fabric blend
- Not too rough texture that is great for teething puppies
- Also a great way to get rid of food debris to maintain your puppy’s dental health
- Great toy for tug of war with your puppy
- Several toys included in one pack for endless fun!
Reminders:
- Rope toys tend to unravel when worn out, be sure to supervise your pup when they’re playing with rope toys for any stray threads
- Suitable only for puppies and small dogs
Durable Plastic Chew Toy for Teething Puppies – OneIsAll Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers
OneIsAll’s durable nylon dog bone is a great chew toy for puppies who are aggressive chewers. It has a tasteful bacon flavor that is fun to chew on, especially when they are teething. The smooth surface of this dog bone is a great way to put pressure on your pup’s sore gums without being too rough on it. They even have different sizes available for your older dogs.
It’s sturdy and durable construction makes it a chew toy that is long-lasting. The company recommends that you change them in a few months though, just to be on the safe side.
Key Features:
- Durable dog bone for aggressive chewers
- Fun and tasty chew toy for teething puppies
- Bacon flavor entices your puppy to chew
- Nylon construction with dog bone shape
- Smooth surface makes it comfortable for puppies to chew on
Reminders:
- Surface will get worn out and might develop a spiky texture, always supervise your pup while playing to prevent injuries
- Once chew toy is small enough to swallow, replace it with another one to avoid choking or other accidents
Dental Chew Toy with Different Textures – Nylabone X Bone Puppy Chew Toy
Different textures can help relieve your puppy’s teething pains, that’s why the Nylabone X Chew Toy is the perfect tool to soothe your pup’s gums while they are in their teething stage. It’s basically two dog bones fused into an “X” shape for an easier hold for your pup, and a variety of texture that can help massage their sore gums. One side of the Nylabone X Chew Toy has a nubbed surface, while the other one has swirls on them.
The X shape of this toy is also a notable feature, since it helps your pup hold onto the toy easily and prevent them from getting frustrated while they are in pain. It even has a yummy beef flavor that the company claims to have throughout the whole toy.
Key Features:
- Different textures on surface to massage sore gums of teething puppies
- “X” shape toy that helps make it easy to hold by your puppy
- Flexible nylon chew toy for sensitive gums
- With a tasty beef flavor that your pup will enjoy
Reminders:
- Replace once the corners become too small for your pup
- Not suitable for older or big dogs
Edible Teething Ring for Puppies – N-Bone Puppy Teething Ring
An edible teething ring can be the best treat you can give your teething puppy. Not only will they have something to soothe their sore gums, but they will also have something yummy to munch on!
These edible teething rings from N-Bone are the best items to try out if you want an edible teething treat for your pup. This particular item has pumpkin flavor, with calcium and other healthy nutrients for your growing puppy. The shape also helps greatly in keeping the ring in place, so your pet can hold onto it properly.
Key Features:
- Teething ring to massage sore gums
- Edible ring with pumpkin flavor
- With additional nutrients for a growing puppy
- Shape is easy to hold on to while gnawing on the surface
- Smooth texture for sensitive gums
Reminders:
- Although it is edible, you still need to replace it before it becomes a choking hazard for your puppy
- Your puppy might not like the pumpkin flavor, but they do have other flavors available
Entertaining Treat Toy for Teething Pups – KONG Teething Puppy Toy
For a durable and long-lasting teething toy with interactive features, then this KONG puppy toy is the best for your pooch. As do all KONG toys, this teething toy is indestructible and has an extra feature that makes it more fun for your pup. Its gourd shape has a hollow center where you can insert peanut butter or treats that your pets can dig into.
If you want to help relieve your puppy’s teething pain and get them treats at the same time, then the KONG Teething Puppy Toys is the best choice. Its interactive feature also makes it a great toy to challenge your puppy’s intellect.
Key Features:
- Durable and long-lasting chew toy
- Smooth surface can be a soothing massager to sensitive gums
- Hollow middle can be filled with treats or peanut butter
- Interactive toy that puppies will have fun playing with
- Body can be rolled around for a fun play with your pup
- Can be used to train your puppy to focus on a task
Reminders:
- Search first which size is suitable for your dog’s breed
- Always supervise your puppy while they are playing with the toy