# Why Do Puppies Chew Everything? Normal Chewing Explained Puppies chew on everything because chewing is a normal dog behavior, and puppies have extra reasons to do it: incoming teeth hurt, and their mouths are how they learn about the world [1][2]. Most intense puppy chewing fades by about six months of age, though some dogs keep chewing for life [2]. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Chewing is normal and serves real purposes: teething relief, jaw exercise, teeth cleaning, exploration, and relief from boredom or mild anxiety [1][2]. - The heaviest chewing phase usually ends by six months of age, when the adult teeth are in [2]. - Puppies treat anything they can fit in their mouths as a chew toy, so your job is to guide them to appropriate items and keep the rest out of reach [1]. - Safe options include hard rubber toys like Kongs, edible chews like marrow bones, knuckle bones, or bully sticks, plus frozen toys, ice cubes, or frozen wet washcloths for teething [1][2]. - Interrupt chewing on off-limits items and immediately swap in an appropriate chew, then put the confiscated item away where your puppy cannot reach it [1]. ## Why Do Puppies Chew on Everything? The Normal Reasons Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs of all ages. Dogs chew to clean their teeth, exercise their jaws, combat boredom, and relieve mild anxiety or frustration [1][2]. For a puppy, the list is longer. ### Teething Puppies go through a stage where they lose their baby teeth and adult teeth come in. That process causes discomfort, and chewing is how puppies relieve it [2]. Think of it like a human infant gnawing on a teething ring, except your puppy does not know the difference between a teething ring and your baseboards. This intensified chewing phase usually ends by six months of age [2]. ### Exploration Puppies investigate interesting objects with their mouths. Chewing is one of the main ways a young dog explores the world around them [2]. This is normal, and it is also why puppies seem to test every single object in your home at least once. ### Boredom, comfort, and jaw exercise Chewing combats boredom and can relieve mild anxiety or frustration [2]. Some puppies chew more when they are under-exercised, under-stimulated, or left alone for long stretches. Chewing also gives the jaw a workout, which is one reason the behavior never fully disappears in most dogs [1][2]. If your puppy's chewing is focused on their own paws instead of objects, that points to a different problem. See [Dog Chewing Paws: Allergies, Anxiety, or Boredom?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/dog-chewing-paws-allergies-anxiety-boredom) and [Dog Constantly Chewing On Paws](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/dog-constantly-chewing-on-paws) for that pattern. ## Is It Normal for Puppies to Chew on Everything? Yes, up to a point. It is normal for puppies and dogs to chew on objects as they explore the world [2]. It is also normal for them to consider any object they can fit their mouths around a good thing to chew [1]. The behavior itself is not the problem. The target is the problem. A puppy chewing a bully stick is doing something normal. The same puppy chewing an electrical cord is doing something dangerous. Your job is not to stop chewing. Your job is to redirect it [1]. ## How Long Do Puppies Chew on Things? The most intense chewing phase usually ends by six months of age, when teething is finished [2]. After that, most dogs chew less, but chewing does not stop entirely. Adult dogs still chew to keep their jaws strong and their teeth clean, and to relieve boredom or mild anxiety [1][2]. Some dogs chew heavily well past puppyhood. That often means the chewing is being driven by something other than teething, such as insufficient exercise, lack of appropriate chews, or anxiety. If your puppy is destructive when left alone specifically, read [Destructive Chewing in Puppies: Teething Relief vs Separation Anxiety](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/destructive-chewing-in-puppies-teething-relief-vs-separation-anxiety). ## Medical Causes to Rule Out Most puppy chewing is behavioral, but a few medical issues can increase mouthing, chewing, and licking. - Dental pain or a broken tooth. A puppy with a painful mouth may chew more, drool, eat slowly, or resist having the mouth handled. - Gastrointestinal upset or nausea. Some dogs lick and chew at surfaces when their stomachs are off. If your puppy is also licking floors, walls, or furniture, see [Why Is My Dog Licking Everything?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/parasitic-diseases/why-is-my-dog-licking-everything). - Parasites or skin disease. If the chewing is aimed at their own body, itching is a common cause. - Nutritional gaps. A puppy on an incomplete or unbalanced diet may seek out odd items to chew. A veterinarian can sort out whether your puppy's chewing is behavioral or has a medical driver. This matters because the fix is different. ## When Chewing Becomes a Problem Chewing crosses from normal into a problem in a few situations. - Your puppy is swallowing non-food items. This can cause a blockage, which is a surgical emergency. - Your puppy is chewing on something dangerous. Electrical cords, batteries, medications, and some houseplants can cause poisoning or burns. If you suspect your puppy ate something toxic, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away. - Your puppy is injuring themselves. Chewing that damages teeth, gums, or skin needs a veterinary visit. - Your puppy is destructive when alone. This can be separation-related distress, which is a welfare issue, not a training failure. - Your puppy is guarding chews or food from people. Resource guarding is common in companion dogs and has real safety implications for the household [3]. ## What to Do: Step by Step ### Step 1: Give your puppy appropriate chews at all times Provide appropriate items to chew on at all times [1]. Easy access to the right chews reduces the urge to chew on the wrong ones [1]. Good options include hard rubber toys like Kongs, and edible chews like marrow bones, knuckle bones, or bully sticks [1]. For teething specifically, ice cubes, toys that can be frozen, or frozen wet washcloths can help numb the discomfort [2]. Match the chew to your puppy's size and chewing style. A chew that is too hard can fracture a puppy tooth. A chew that is too small can be swallowed. Supervise new chews until you know how your puppy handles them. For more options, see [Dog Chew Toys](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/dog-chew-toys). ### Step 2: Be clear and consistent about what is allowed Decide from day one what is a chew toy and what is not, and stick to it. Only provide chewing items that you actually want your dog to chew on [1]. Do not give your puppy old running shoes to chew on if you do not want them chewing your new shoes later [1]. Puppies do not generalize well. A shoe is a shoe to them. ### Step 3: Interrupt and redirect If you see your puppy chewing an off-limits item, interrupt them and provide an appropriate option [1]. Then put the confiscated item away, out of reach, so they cannot return to it [1]. Keep the interruption calm. You are redirecting, not scolding. ### Step 4: Manage the environment Puppy-proof like you would for a toddler. Block access to cords, trash, shoes, and remote controls. Use baby gates, closed doors, and crates or pens when you cannot supervise. Management is not a substitute for training, but it prevents a lot of damage and a lot of emergency vet visits. ### Step 5: Meet exercise and enrichment needs A tired, mentally engaged puppy chews less out of boredom. Provide daily physical exercise appropriate for your puppy's age and breed, plus enrichment like food puzzles, training sessions, and sniff walks. Chew toys themselves are enrichment. One study of puppies found that engagement with chew toys varied between individual dogs, and scented toys did not reliably reduce chewing and mouthing at home, so expect to try a few types to find what your puppy actually likes [4]. ### Step 6: Build alone-time skills If your puppy only destroys things when left alone, work on gradual alone-time training and consider a camera to see what actually happens. This pattern needs a different plan than simple teething. ## What Not to Do - Do not punish chewing after the fact. Your puppy will not connect a scolding to something they chewed an hour ago. They will just learn that you sometimes act scary. - Do not use aversive training methods. Breeders and owners sometimes reach for punishment-based tools, but these carry welfare risks and do not teach your puppy what to chew instead [3]. - Do not give your puppy household items as toys. Old shoes, socks, and towels teach your puppy that those categories of items are fair game [1]. - Do not assume all chewing is teething. If your puppy is past six months and still destructive, look at exercise, enrichment, and anxiety [2]. - Do not leave a puppy unsupervised with a new chew until you know it is safe for them. ## When to Involve a Veterinarian or Behavior Professional Contact your veterinarian the same day if your puppy swallowed a non-food object, chewed an electrical cord, or ate something potentially toxic. Call poison control first if you know or suspect a toxin was involved. Go to an emergency clinic now if your puppy is vomiting repeatedly, retching without producing anything, drooling heavily, bloated, painful in the belly, or collapsed. These can be signs of a blockage or poisoning. Schedule a routine visit if your puppy has bad breath, broken or worn teeth, bleeding gums, or resists eating. Also schedule a visit if the chewing is aimed at their own body, since itching and skin disease need treatment. Ask for a behavior referral if your puppy is destructive when alone, if they guard chews or food from people, or if redirection and management have not helped after a few weeks of consistent work [3]. A certified behavior professional can build a plan for anxiety-based chewing, which is different from teething. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article covers typical puppy chewing. It cannot tell you whether your specific puppy's chewing is teething, boredom, anxiety, or a medical problem. That requires an exam and a history. Individual cases need a veterinarian. Call your veterinarian the same day for any suspected swallowed object, electrical cord contact, or toxin exposure. Call poison control immediately at (888) 426-4435 or (855) 764-7661 if you know what your puppy ate. Go to an emergency clinic now for repeated vomiting, unproductive retching, heavy drooling, a painful or distended belly, or collapse. Book a routine visit for dental pain signs, self-directed chewing, or resource guarding. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Should I let my puppy chew on sticks and rocks? No. Sticks can splinter and rocks can fracture teeth or cause a blockage. Offer hard rubber toys or edible chews instead, since those are the items designed for chewing [1]. ### Can I give my puppy ice cubes for teething? Yes, ice cubes are commonly recommended for teething puppies, along with frozen toys and frozen wet washcloths, to help numb the discomfort [2]. Supervise your puppy and offer them in reasonable amounts. ### Does my puppy need a chew toy in their crate? A safe chew can give your puppy something appropriate to do in the crate, and easy access to appropriate chews reduces chewing on the wrong items [1]. Choose a chew your puppy cannot swallow or break apart, and check on them if you can. ### Why does my puppy chew more at night? Puppies often chew more when they are tired, bored, or wound up, and evenings are a common time for all three. Add a calm chew session and a wind-down routine before bed. ### Will my puppy grow out of chewing everything? Most puppies chew far less once teething ends around six months of age [2]. Adult dogs still chew for jaw strength, dental cleaning, and boredom relief, so keep appropriate chews available for life [1][2]. ## Related Articles - [Why Is My Dog Licking Everything?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/parasitic-diseases/why-is-my-dog-licking-everything) - [Dog Chewing Paws: Allergies, Anxiety, or Boredom?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/dog-chewing-paws-allergies-anxiety-boredom) - [Destructive Chewing in Puppies: Teething Relief vs Separation Anxiety](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/destructive-chewing-in-puppies-teething-relief-vs-separation-anxiety) - [Dog Constantly Chewing On Paws](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/dog-constantly-chewing-on-paws) - [Dog Chew Toys](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/dog-chew-toys) - [Chewy Dog Food: Is It a Healthy Choice for Your Pup?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/nutrition/chewy-dog-food-vs-fresh-frozen) - [How Long Do Puppies Chew Everything? Teething Stage](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/how-long-puppies-chew-everything) - [When Do Puppies Quit Teething and Chewing?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-care/when-do-puppies-quit-teething-chewing) - [Why Does My Dog Nibble on Me? Puppy Mouthing Explained](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/why-does-my-dog-nibble-on-me) ## References 1. [Chewing and Destructive Behavior in Dogs](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/chewing-and-destructive-behavior-dogs). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 2. [Destructive Chewing](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/destructive-chewing). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 3. [Resource management practices of Canadian and American domestic dog breeders and associations with puppy competitive behaviour: A cross-sectional study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42534209/). Animal welfare (South Mimms, England), 2026. 4. [To chew or not to chew? Exploring the influence of scented chew toys on puppy chewing](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40620907/). Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 2025. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Dog Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners) - [Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center: Canine Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information) - [American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Care](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare)