# Best Teething Toys for Puppies and Safe Chews Puppies chew to relieve the discomfort of incoming teeth, and adult dogs chew to keep their jaws strong and teeth clean [1][2]. The best dog teething toys are soft enough to give when pressed with a fingernail, large enough that your puppy cannot swallow them, and tough enough to survive daily use. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Pick toys you can dent with a fingernail. If a chew does not give at all, it is hard enough to fracture a tooth. - Offer a mix of hard rubber toys and edible chews, and keep appropriate items available at all times [1]. - Freeze a puppy toy or a wet washcloth to numb sore gums during the worst teething weeks [2]. - Rotate toys every few days. Many dogs prefer new toys over old, boring ones, and rotation makes each toy last longer [1]. - Interrupt mouthy play calmly with a short "uh oh" or a tossed handful of treats, then redirect to a toy [3]. ## How to Choose Dog Teething Toys by Hardness and Size ### The fingernail test Press your thumbnail into the chew. A good dog teeth toy dents slightly and springs back. If your nail leaves no mark, the material is harder than your dog's teeth and can chip or fracture them. This is the single fastest way to sort a toy aisle. ### Size matters more than you think A toy should be too large to swallow and too small to get stuck over the lower jaw. Dogs treat anything they can fit in their mouths as a chew item, so your job is to control what is reachable [1]. For a puppy, choose a toy wider than the muzzle and long enough that both ends stick out of the mouth. ### Materials that hold up Hard rubber toys, like Kongs, are a standard appropriate chew [1]. Dense rubber stands up to repeated chewing without shattering. Rope toys work for gentle tug and chew, but supervise them, since swallowed strands can cause a blockage. Plush toys are comfort objects, not chews, and should be retired once seams open. ### Edible chews Marrow bones, knuckle bones, and bully sticks are listed among appropriate edible chews [1]. Bully sticks soften as they are worked and are a reasonable choice for most puppies. Always match the chew to your dog's size, and take away any piece small enough to swallow whole. If your dog destroys everything within minutes, see [Best Toys for Heavy Chewers: Safety and Selection](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-care/best-dog-toys-for-chewers) for tougher options. ## Chews That Break Teeth Veterinary dentists see the same pattern again and again. A dog spends months happily working a rock-hard chew, then one day yelps and starts dropping food. The fracture was likely there all along. Avoid these: - Hooves, antlers, and hard nylon bones that do not dent under a fingernail - Bones that have been baked or smoked until rock hard - Ice cubes for dogs who crush instead of lick them - Any chew that has been frozen into a solid block Freezing is useful for teething pain, but freeze a soft toy or a wet washcloth, not a hard chew [2]. The cold numbs the gums. The hardness is what causes damage. ## A Daily Chewing and Teething Schedule | Time | What to offer | Why | |---|---|---| | Morning | Hard rubber toy stuffed with food | Occupies your puppy while you get ready | | Midday | Frozen soft toy or frozen washcloth | Numbing relief during peak teething [2] | | Afternoon | Bully stick or marrow bone | Long, satisfying chew session [1] | | Evening | Dental chew | Supports oral health when given daily [4][5] | | Overnight | One safe hard rubber toy in the crate | Gives a legal outlet when you cannot watch | Puppies go through an intensified chewing phase that usually ends by about six months of age [2]. Expect the schedule above to be busiest between three and six months. ## Dog Teething Treats and Dental Chews Edible chews do double duty. They satisfy the urge to chew and they help control plaque. Daily dental chews have been studied in dogs. In one trial, dogs fed one dental chew per day had significantly reduced gingivitis, plaque, and breath odor compared with periods when they received no chew [4]. A separate 28-day study found that adding a dental chew to a dry diet produced significant reductions in plaque and calculus accumulation [5]. A vegetable-based chew reduced plaque, calculus, and gingival bleeding, and outperformed comparison chews on gingival bleeding [6]. A honeycomb-shaped chew given daily for 60 days produced an overall reduction in calculus of 26.6 percent, along with improvements in plaque, gingivitis, and malodor [7]. That is a real benefit, but it is not a replacement for brushing. Dental chews are part of passive home care, and daily brushing remains the standard [7]. For technique, see [How To Brush a Dog's Teeth Safely](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/dental-care/how-to-brush-dog-teeth). Choose dental chews by size and texture. They should be flexible enough to bend, and sized so your dog chews instead of gulps. If your dog swallows chews whole, cut them into pieces large enough to require chewing, or skip them. For a deeper look at how these products are evaluated, see [Dental Chews for Dogs: Efficacy, Safety, and Selection Criteria](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/nutrition/dental-chews-for-dogs-efficacy-safety-and-selection-criteria). ## Dog Using Teeth When Playing: How to Redirect Mouthy Biting Mouthing is normal puppy behavior. It becomes a problem when the puppy gets overstimulated and cannot settle. ### Step 1: Watch for the buildup The longer a dog engages in mouthy behavior, the more excited they become and the harder it is for them to calm down [3]. Learn your puppy's early signs. Common ones include faster breathing, a stiff body, a wagging tail that speeds up, and grabbing at clothing or hands. ### Step 2: Interrupt calmly When you see the warning signs, interrupt with a short "uh oh" or toss a handful of treats on the ground [3]. Sniffing for treats also helps your dog calm down. Stay calm yourself. Raising your voice or making big arm motions often excites a dog more [3]. ### Step 3: Give a legal alternative Interrupting alone does not tell your dog what to do instead. Teach your dog to respond to their name and to cues like sit, down, and grab a toy [3]. Keep a toy within arm's reach in every room so redirection takes one second. ### Step 4: Use a calm zone A baby gate or crate can manage mouthiness, but only if your dog already likes it. Practice sending your dog behind the gate or into the crate when they are calm, and give them an enrichment item like a stuffed Kong or bully stick to enjoy there [3]. Never use the crate as punishment. ### Step 5: Be consistent about what is fair game Only provide items you actually want chewed. Do not give your dog old running shoes if you do not want your new shoes chewed [1]. Dogs do not generalize well. A shoe is a shoe. If mouthing is your main concern, [Dog Chew Toys](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/dog-chew-toys) covers toy selection for behavior problems. ## Signs Something Is Wrong Stop chewing and call your veterinarian if you notice any of these. - A sudden yelp during chewing, followed by dropping food or chewing on one side - A broken or discolored tooth, or a dark spot at the gumline - Bleeding gums that do not stop within a few minutes - Drooling, pawing at the mouth, or refusing to eat - A piece of toy or chew missing, especially rope strands, rubber chunks, or bone fragments - Vomiting, retching, drooling, or a painful belly after swallowing something - Loose stool or vomiting after a new chew, which can signal sensitivity to that product Chewing that happens only when your dog is left alone, along with whining, barking, pacing, restlessness, urination, or defecation, points toward separation anxiety instead of teething [2]. That needs a behavior plan, not a new toy. ## Common Mistakes Owners Make **Choosing by durability claims instead of hardness.** A toy marketed as indestructible is often too hard. Use the fingernail test. **Leaving a chewer unsupervised with a new chew.** Test every new product while you are watching, for the first several sessions. **Giving old household items.** This teaches your dog that shoes, socks, and furniture legs are fair game [1]. **Relying on "no" alone.** Telling a dog to stop does not tell them what to do instead, and they often swap mouthing for another unwanted behavior [3]. **Skipping rotation.** Rotating toys gives variety and makes each toy last longer [1]. A bin of ten toys you cycle weekly works better than ten toys on the floor at once. **Assuming a dental chew replaces brushing.** Chews reduce plaque and calculus, but daily brushing is still the gold standard for home care [7]. **Freezing hard chews.** Cold numbs gums, but a frozen hard chew is more likely to crack a tooth. Freeze soft items instead [2]. ## Supplies and Setup That Matter Keep a chew station in each room your puppy spends time in. A small basket with two or three approved items means you never have to leave the room to redirect. Build a rotation bin. Keep about ten approved toys and chews, and swap the contents of the basket every few days [1]. Have a frozen option ready. Soak a washcloth in water, wring it out, twist it, and freeze it. Or stuff a hard rubber toy with food and freeze it. These are the go-to items for sore gums [2]. Set up a calm zone before you need it. A crate or baby gate with a stuffed toy inside gives you a place to send an overstimulated puppy [3]. Store chews by size. A large bully stick for a large dog is a choking hazard for a small puppy. Sort by dog size, not by package. Track what works. Note which toys survive, which get ignored, and which cause stomach upset. That list is more useful than any review section. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian No article can examine your dog's mouth. Tooth fractures, retained baby teeth, and gum disease all need a hands-on exam, and individual cases need a veterinarian. **Call your veterinarian the same day if** your dog yelps while chewing, drops food, chews on one side, has a visibly broken tooth, or has bleeding gums that will not stop. **Go to an emergency clinic now if** your dog is retching, drooling heavily, pacing with a painful belly, or you know or suspect they swallowed a piece of toy, rope, or bone. Signs of a blockage can worsen quickly. **Schedule a routine visit if** your puppy still has a full set of baby teeth near six months of age, has bad breath, has tartar visible along the gumline, or if mouthing is not improving with consistent redirection. For dogs who destroy everything in sight, [10 Best Dog Chew Toys for Aggressive Chewers: Durable & Safe Picks](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/best-dog-chew-toys) covers tougher products, and your veterinarian can help rule out anxiety or pain as the driver. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How long does puppy teething last? The intensified chewing phase usually ends by about six months of age [2]. Some puppies settle sooner, and some continue mouthing into their first year as a play habit instead of a teething issue. If chewing is still intense at eight or nine months, treat it as a behavior question. ### Are ice cubes safe for a teething puppy? Freezing a soft toy or a wet washcloth is a common way to numb sore gums [2]. Ice cubes are fine for dogs who lick and mouth them, but dogs who crush ice can chip teeth. Watch your puppy with the first one before making it a habit. ### Can I give my puppy a bone to chew? Marrow bones and knuckle bones are listed among appropriate edible chews [1]. The key is hardness and size. If the bone does not dent under your fingernail, or if pieces can splinter off, choose something else. ### Do dental chews actually help my dog's teeth? Yes, when given daily. Studies show significant reductions in plaque, calculus, gingivitis, and breath odor with daily dental chew use [4][5][6][7]. They work best as a supplement to brushing, not as a substitute [7]. ### My puppy bites my hands during play. Is that normal? Yes, mouthing during play is normal puppy behavior. Interrupt early with a calm "uh oh" or a tossed treat, then redirect to a toy and reward a sit or a down [3]. Consistency matters more than intensity, and the behavior usually fades as your puppy matures. ## Related Articles - [Best Toys for Heavy Chewers: Safety and Selection](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-care/best-dog-toys-for-chewers) - [Dog Chew Toys](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/dog-chew-toys) - [10 Best Dog Chew Toys for Aggressive Chewers: Durable & Safe Picks](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/best-dog-chew-toys) - [Dental Chews for Dogs: Efficacy, Safety, and Selection Criteria](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/nutrition/dental-chews-for-dogs-efficacy-safety-and-selection-criteria) - [How To Brush a Dog's Teeth Safely](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/dental-care/how-to-brush-dog-teeth) - [Destructive Chewing in Puppies: Teething Relief vs Separation Anxiety](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/destructive-chewing-in-puppies-teething-relief-vs-separation-anxiety) ## 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. [Inappropriate Mouthing](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/inappropriate-mouthing-dogs). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 4. [Evaluation of Efficacy of a Dental Chew to Reduce Gingivitis, Dental Plaque, Calculus, and Halitosis in Toy Breed Dogs](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32627686/). Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2020. 5. [Oral health benefits of a daily dental chew in dogs](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24006717/). Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2013. 6. [Comparison of a Vegetable-Based Dental Chew to 2 Other Chews for Oral Health Prevention](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34784262/). Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2021. 7. [Effectiveness of a Daily Honeycomb-Shaped Dental Chew in Reducing Calculus, Plaque, Gingivitis and Malodor in Dogs](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38819379/). Journal of veterinary dentistry, 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)