The best toys for teething puppies are soft enough to sink new teeth into but sturdy enough to survive it: plush toys with reinforced stitching for gentle chewers, rubber chews for heavier chewers, and a frozen washcloth or a chilled toy for sore gums. Squeaky plush is great for play sessions, but supervise it, because a determined puppy can open a seam and reach the squeaker. Rotate a few textures rather than buying one perfect toy; puppies teethe from about 3 to 7 months and their preferences change as the adult teeth come in.
We're cat people, but Ai went through a phase of chewing every cable and shoelace in the house as a kitten, and the fix was the same one that works for puppies: give them better things to chew and put the cables away. Here's what to look for in a teething toy, which type suits which puppy, and how to keep the furniture intact in the meantime.
Why do teething puppies chew everything?
Puppy teeth start falling out around 3 to 4 months, and the 42 adult teeth push through by about 6 to 7 months. During that window the gums are sore and itchy, and chewing relieves the pressure. That's the whole explanation for why your shoes, table legs, and phone charger are suddenly interesting. It's not a behavior problem, and it ends. Your job is to steer it toward things that are safe to chew and away from things that aren't.
A few signs teething is the reason: drooling, chewing more than usual, small blood spots on toys, a missing tooth on the floor, and a puppy who gnaws with the side of their mouth. If the puppy stops eating, seems in real pain, or an adult tooth comes in next to a baby tooth that hasn't fallen out, ask your vet.
Plush vs squeaky vs rubber: which teething toy is best?
Each texture does a different job, which is why a mix works better than one toy.
- Plush toys. Soft, satisfying to mouth, and comforting to carry around. Best for puppies who chew gently and for the early teething weeks when gums are sorest. Look for tight, double stitching and no small plastic parts like eyes or noses. A plush like the squeaky pet plush toy works for a soft chewer as long as you check the seams every few days.
- Squeaky toys. The squeak triggers prey drive and keeps a puppy engaged far longer than a silent toy, which makes them ideal for supervised play and training rewards. The downside is the squeaker itself: if a puppy opens the toy, the squeaker can be swallowed. The dinosaur squeaky chew plush toy is built for chewing more than a standard plush, but we'd still put it away when the puppy's alone, and check the seams after every session.
- Rubber chews. The workhorse for medium and heavy chewers. Dense rubber gives resistance that sore gums want, and the toy survives. Choose one sized so the puppy can't fit the whole thing in their mouth, and skip anything hard enough that you can't dent it with a thumbnail, because that can crack teeth.
- Rope toys. Good for gum massage and gentle tug, but only under supervision. Swallowed rope strands can cause serious intestinal problems, so remove a rope toy as soon as it starts to fray.
- Cold toys. A wet washcloth knotted and frozen, or a rubber toy chilled in the fridge, numbs sore gums. Freeze it hard for a heavy chewer or just chill it for a small puppy; rock-hard ice can hurt baby teeth.
What should you avoid in a puppy teething toy?
- Anything small enough to swallow. The toy should be bigger than the puppy's mouth is wide. Size up as they grow.
- Hard plastic, antlers, bones, and hooves. Too hard for baby teeth and a common cause of fractured teeth in adult dogs too.
- Plastic eyes, noses, bells, or buttons. The first thing a puppy chews off, and the first thing they swallow. Embroidered features are safer.
- Old shoes and socks. A puppy can't tell the old sneaker from the new one. Giving them one teaches them all shoes are toys.
- Toys with strong chemical smells. Cheap rubber sometimes off-gasses. If it smells strongly out of the package, return it.
How do you keep a teething puppy from chewing furniture?
- Manage the space. Cables tucked away, shoes in a closet, a gate on the room with the good furniture. Prevention beats correction every time with a puppy.
- Trade, don't scold. When you catch the puppy on a chair leg, offer a toy and praise when they switch. Yelling teaches them to chew when you're not there.
- Rotate toys. Keep three or four out, swap them every couple of days. A "new" toy is more interesting than a familiar one.
- Tire them out. A bored puppy chews more. Short training sessions, sniff walks, and play do a lot.
- Give them their own bed to chew instead of yours. Puppies chew bedding too. A tough, washable mat is easier to replace than a sofa cushion, and puppies grow fast, so measure before you buy a full-size bed. Our post on what size dog bed you need covers sizing for a dog who's still growing.
When should you throw a teething toy away?
Check toys every few days during teething. Retire a plush when the stitching opens, stuffing shows, or the squeaker moves freely inside. Retire a rubber toy when chunks are missing or it's cracked. Retire a rope when strands are loose. A torn toy is more dangerous than no toy, and the cost of a replacement is nothing next to a vet bill for a blockage.
FAQ
How long does puppy teething last?
Baby teeth start falling out around 3 to 4 months, and most puppies have their full set of adult teeth by 6 to 7 months. Heavy chewing can continue for a few months after that as the adult teeth settle, so keep good chew toys around through the first year.
Are plush toys safe for teething puppies?
For gentle chewers, yes, as long as the toy has no plastic parts and you check the seams regularly. For puppies who shred fabric, plush should be a supervised play toy only, with rubber chews for unsupervised time.
Can I give my puppy ice cubes for teething?
Small ice chips or a chilled toy are fine for soothing gums. Avoid large, hard ice cubes, which can chip baby teeth, and always supervise. A frozen wet washcloth is softer and works well for most puppies.
Quick recap
The best toys for teething puppies are a rotation of textures: reinforced plush for comfort, squeaky toys for supervised play, dense rubber for real chewing, and something cold for sore gums. Size everything bigger than the mouth, skip hard bones and plastic parts, and retire torn toys. Browse plush, squeaky, and chew toys in our toy collection. Orders over $75 ship free.
