Puppies have a tendency to explore the world by using their mouths, which leads them to chew on anything they come across, regardless of whether it is intended for puppies or not. However, if you give them toys that are safe for puppies and satisfy their inclination to chew, there is a higher chance that you can protect your shoes and socks from being damaged.
From the age of 2 months to 10 months, which is a crucial stage of a puppy’s growth, it is crucial to provide suitable toys for them. The preference of puppy toys might vary depending on the breed and personality of the puppy. If your puppy is highly energetic and enjoys mental stimulation, they will find pleasure in solving dog puzzle toys or playing with treat-dispensing toys. On the other hand, certain puppies may prefer cuddling with soft plush toys, while others may be more inclined to tear apart stuffed toys and require more durable rubber or rope toys.
Continue reading to find out about various puppy toys and treats that can be given to your puppy in order to alleviate the pain in their gums and divert their attention from the unpleasantness of teething.
What You Need to Know About Puppy Teething Toys
High-quality, age- and size-appropriate puppy toys are just as important as training and exercise in supporting your puppy’s development, whether you’re assisting them with teething, teaching desirable behaviors, or simply having fun during playtime.
At approximately four months of age, puppies begin to teethe when their baby teeth are substituted with adult teeth and molars. During this phase, chewing might appear to be your puppy’s fixation, and they may chew on various objects. Similar to teething babies, teething is uncomfortable for puppies, necessitating methods to alleviate the pain in their gums.
Teething toys for puppies provide relief for their gums and allow you to educate them on appropriate chew items. Avoid giving your dog toys that resemble forbidden objects, such as a squeaky shoe toy. It is important to consider the size of the toy, as those designed for 8-to-10-week-old puppies may pose a choking hazard for a 6-to-9 month-old puppy. Always consult the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure the toy is suitable for your dog’s age and size, and has undergone safety testing.
It is crucial to monitor your puppy while they play with any chosen toy and to periodically examine the toys to ensure that your puppy has not chewed off any pieces. If the toy seems close to breaking, dispose of it.
Best Soothing Teething Toy
The Nylabone Just for Puppies Key Ring has a bacon flavor.
The Nylabone toy’s shapes and textures cater to your puppy’s desire to chew, giving them amusement. Additionally, the keys’ various textures are specifically created to promote dental hygiene and gum massage.
Although many owners have recommended this teething toy, there have been warnings regarding the small keys being chewed off, as it could potentially cause internal damage.
Best Teeth Cleaning Puppy Toy
The Nylabone Puppy Teething Dinosaur is flavored like chicken.
If you are in need of a teething toy that can freshen breath and clean teeth simultaneously, then the Nylabone dinosaur is the perfect choice. This particular teething bone is specifically created for puppies weighing up to 25 pounds, however, it is not recommended for aggressive chewers. The enjoyable puppy toy is shaped like a T-Rex and is flavored with chicken to make it more appealing.
Some users praised the durability of this toy, while others mentioned that dogs who don’t typically like chew toys seemed to enjoy it. Nevertheless, there are warnings about the potential danger of this toy, as it could be torn apart and swallowed in chunks.
Best Toy for Tougher Chewers
The Benebone Bacon Flavor Tough Puppy Chew Toy comes in a pack of 2.
This two-pack toy is an excellent choice for dogs who enjoy chewing. Both the wishbone and teething chew in this set are bacon-flavored and designed to massage the gums. They will provide hours of entertainment for your puppy who likes to chew. Additionally, these toys are strong and durable, making them suitable for puppies with a tendency to bite.
This NWK puppy toy is non-toxic and can be frozen to provide long-lasting relief for chewing. It is made of 100-percent purified water and reviewers mentioned its durability, even against highly aggressive chewers.
Best Small Puppy Teething Toy
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This KONG puppy binkie, available in small, medium, and large sizes, is perfect for small breeds under 35 pounds and can be filled with wet puppy food, stuffed with high-value puppy treats, or smeared with dog-safe peanut butter to better attract dogs. It comes in blue or pink color options.
While some users enjoyed the toy’s soft and squishy texture, which was suitable for teething, other users shared that the toy would often get destroyed within a day or two.
Best Made in the USA Puppy Teething Toy
Puppy Teething Toy by KONG designed for small breeds.
If you are looking for a fun and durable toy for your puppy’s baby teeth, you should consider trying KONG’s small chew toy. The unique shape of the KONG allows for unpredictable bounces, making it a great toy for a game of fetch. This puppy toy is made in the USA and can be filled with soaked puppy kibble or wet puppy food, as well as stuffed with high-value puppy treats. It can also be smeared with puppy-friendly KONG Easy Treat for even more enjoyment. Additionally, by putting it in the freezer, you can make the stuffing last longer and provide relief for teething gums. Many reviewers highly praise this classic KONG toy for puppies and note that as they grow up, they continue to love the adult versions as well.
Best Plush Puppy Teething Toy
The Squeaky Plush Dog Toy named Multipet Lamb Chop
This plush toy called Lamb Chop is an ideal choice for puppies who enjoy playing. The toy is available in small sizes and features a squeaker, which adds extra excitement to your puppy’s playtime.
Best Budget Teething Toy
The Petstages Cool Teething Stick is to be thought about in a step-by-step manner while ensuring that the same meaning is maintained. No additional information should be added, and no information should be removed.
This Petstages puppy toy can be frozen to provide relief to your dog’s sore gums while they chew. When frozen, the cooling stick makes a crunching sound and has attractive colors, streamers, and ribbons to attract enthusiastic dogs.
Some customers have observed that the toy does not always remain cold, and it is prone to tearing easily, while others assert that the toy works best when it is completely frozen.
Best Comforting Puppy Toy
The New Puppy Starter Kit by Smart Pet Love.
These kits are ideal for puppies who require additional comfort due to teething stress or may find it challenging to adapt to their new environment without their mother or littermates. Each package comprises a soothing Snuggle Puppy, additional heat packs for the toy, a puppy teething aid for comfort, and a soft blanket.
BONUS: Best Toys for Small Dogs
Best Tough Plush Toy for Small Dogs: GoDog Just For Me
Are you in search of a durable plush dog toy that is cute, huggable, and can withstand the chewing of small dogs? GoDog offers a variety of plushies, such as Bruto the dinosaur and Checkers the flying pig, which are reinforced both internally and at the seams. These toys are specifically designed for small dogs, with sizes suitable for their mouths and paws, and they also feature a loud squeaker. On Amazon, Bruto is available in a three-pack, while on Chewy, you can purchase singles.
Best Disc for Fetch: Chuckit! Zipflight
Chuckit! dominates the world of dog toys that can be thrown, and this particular frisbee is not like the traditional ones. It is lightweight and simple to throw, ensuring that your small dog or anyone nearby won’t get hurt if you accidentally throw it astray. With a diameter of six inches, these frisbees are designed in the shape of a donut, making them perfect for your small dog to hold in its mouth and easy to carry, catch, and retrieve from the ground.
Best Rubber Toy for Small Dogs: Goughnuts Lite Small Chew Ring
If you are in need of a chew toy that can withstand the powerful teeth of small but strong dogs, the Goughnut is worth considering. It is made of tough rubber that is both bouncy and rollable. This toy is particularly enjoyable for Terriers and other dogs that enjoy active chewing. The Goughnut comes in sturdy ring shapes that are suitable for dogs of different sizes and chewing preferences. The small size is specifically designed for dogs weighing 10 to 40 pounds. Additionally, the toy features a different color of rubber on the inside. In the event that your dog manages to chew through to that part, the company offers a replacement for the toy.
Best Easy Puzzle Toy: West Paw Zogoflex Toppl Treat Dispensing Toy (Verified Review)
This puzzle toy for hunting treats is uncomplicated, long-lasting, and an preferred choice for keeping a dog entertained, especially if they will solve puzzles for a treat. Similar to the iconic KONG, you can fill this toy with various items like kibble or peanut butter to engage your small dog. Want more? Acquire a larger size and connect the two sections with treats enclosed.
Best Advanced Puzzle Toy: Trixie Mini Mover
Do you have a small dog that is as intelligent as a fox? Using an advanced puzzle toy like this can be an excellent way to diversify their daily routines. You can hide treats or kibble in the different compartments of this toy and allow your dog to use their sense of smell to find them. With four levels of game play, you can vary the difficulty as your dog becomes more adept at accessing their rewards.
Best Rope Toy for Small Dogs: KONG Floppy Knots
This fantastic little fox, which is a bestseller on Chewy, is designed with numerous little knots that are perfect for your small dog’s jaws and paws to grab onto. It is ideal for playing tug, chewing, wrestling, and shaking. With various textures, floppy arms and legs, and a squeaker, it ensures that your dog remains engaged. Reviewers highly praise its durability, which is a characteristic KONG is well-known for.
Best Balls for Small Dogs with Short Snouts: Chuckit! Breathe Right Small Dog Fetch Ball
Finally, there is a ball that accommodates smoosh-faced dogs’ adorable mouth breathing tendencies! The brilliant mind behind these balls created them specifically for your French Bulldog or Pekingese to partake in games of keep-away and fetch, ensuring improved airflow and a more convenient surface for gripping.
Best Tug Toy for Dogs Up to 20 Pounds: Jolly Pets Turtle Tug Toy
This little turtle, which is available in other animal options as well, provides an exciting game of tug-of-war for you and your small dog or two dog friends. When you tug on the handle-shaped ends, the middle part produces a squeaking sound. The rings ensure a comfortable grip for both humans and dogs.
This toy is not suitable for dogs that chew excessively, but it is a good choice for small dogs in different sizes, which is not common for many tug toys that target larger animals. Additionally, it is quite cute.
Best Small Dog Toy for Power Chewers: Benebone
The Benebone, unlike Nylabone, is a more solid option among the plastic chew toys mentioned on our list. It is available in two sizes for small dogs: extra-small for dogs weighing less than 15 pounds, and small for dogs weighing less than 30 pounds. Despite its enjoyable scents and flavors, this toy does not create a mess like other treat sticks. Additionally, it has been designed in an ergonomic way so that it can be easily held by small dog paws.
To keep your pup safe, it is essential to supervise them while they are chewing and educate yourself about potential chew hazards.
Best Automated Toy: iFetch Automatic Mini Ball Launcher (Verified Review)
After conducting a review of the best ball launchers for dogs, we have determined that the iFetch is the ideal choice for small dogs. This particular launcher is accompanied by three miniature tennis balls with a diameter of 1.6 inches, and it can hurl them distances of 10, 20, or 30 feet. Not only is it an excellent source of amusement for small dogs, but it also offers great enjoyment for their owners.
The main aim is to attempt to train your dog to fetch the balls and put them in the launcher on their own. Although it may not be achievable, it is enjoyable to give it a try! Nonetheless, playing fetch with this toy for around 15 minutes will probably make your dog very tired.
Best Interactive Toy for Small Dogs: Wobble Wag Giggle Ball
This is designed for smaller dogs who enjoy loud noises. With a circumference of 5.5 inches, it is suitable for dogs of various sizes. The ball produces more noise as the dog plays with it, thanks to the tubes inside instead of batteries and wiring. Certain dogs find the silly “giggles” amusing, and the ball is easier to pick up due to the holes. It can be used both indoors and outdoors.
