Did you know that a puppy’s teething phase is as intense as a toddler’s—but with sharper teeth and fewer boundaries? From chewed-up sneakers to gnawed table legs, dog owners everywhere have felt the sting—literally and emotionally—of a teething pup on a rampage. Choosing the right teething toy isn’t just about saving your furniture; it’s about protecting your puppy’s health, teaching bite control, and giving them safe, soothing relief during one of their most uncomfortable growth stages. A poor choice? It could mean fractured teeth, toxic materials, or a toy shredded in minutes flat. In this guide, we will reveal the best teething toys for puppies that go beyond the hype, what to look for, and the importance of teething toys according to science. Let’s dive in!
The Importance of Teething Toys For Puppies
Teething is a natural and sometimes painful process for puppies, typically beginning around 3 weeks of age and lasting until about 6 months. During this time, puppies have a strong instinct to chew to relieve gum discomfort and aid in the eruption of adult teeth. Without proper outlets like teething toys, puppies may resort to destructive chewing on furniture, shoes, or anything they can sink their teeth into.
Here is why providing a teething toy is crucial, according to science:
Teething toys support emotional well-being: A study discovered that long-lasting chews help reduce stress and promote positive emotional states in dogs.[1] Teething toys provide physical and emotional relief from the stress caused during the teething stages.
Help redirect natural chewing behaviors: A study found that chewing is a natural way for dogs—especially puppies—to explore and self-soothe. When puppies are not provided with safe, chewable options during teething, they often turn to inappropriate items. This research underscores how teething toys are essential in redirecting instinctual chewing into safe and positive behavior, protecting your belongings and your puppy’s development.[2]
Promotes dental health: Veterinary dental research at Rutgers University has shown that chew toys can positively maintain oral hygiene.[3] Another study noted that daily chewing—via toys, dental biscuits, or bones—can help reduce plaque buildup and stimulate saliva production, contributing to healthier teeth and gums.[4] Since teething is the foundation of a dog’s long-term oral health, getting puppies used to chew the right materials early on can have lasting dental benefits.
Why Puppies Need Teething Toys
A fascinating research found that dogs, especially during teething periods, often hold sticks between their paws and chew on them to relieve discomfort or clean their teeth.[5] This behavior is purposeful, not random. Dogs essentially use an external object to modify their internal state. This highlights the instinctual, innate need for puppies to chew—especially during teething—and emphasizes how teething toys act as safe, hygienic alternatives to sticks, helping puppies manage teething pain just like they instinctively would in nature.
Best Puppy Teething Toys
Here are the best puppy teething toys of this year.
Best Overall Puppy Teething Toy
4.8
★★★★★
KONG Puppy
Who It’s For: Growing puppies with developing teeth and gums. It’s designed to help puppies navigate the teething process.
Why we recommended it:The KONG Puppy Toy is a multifunctional puppy teething toy that not only alleviates teething discomfort but also promotes healthy chewing habits and serves as a treat dispenser and fetch toy, providing mental stimulation and physical exercise. Additionally, its unique shape creates an unpredictable bounce, making it engaging for interactive play and helping puppies expend excess energy. This erratic movement stimulates a puppy’s natural chasing instincts, making fetch sessions more engaging. The hollow center can be stuffed with treats, kibble, or peanut butter, extending playtime and adding an extra challenge when frozen.
What sets it apart from competitors: Customized soft rubber formula designed for a puppy’s 28 baby teeth and gentle on a puppy’s mouth and gums.
Best Teething Toy for Aggressive Puppy Chewers
4.7
★★★★★
Goughnut
Who It’s For: Tailored for aggressive chewer puppies, providing a durable solution for those needing a resilient teething aid.
Why we recommended it:The Goughnuts toy is designed with a patented two-layer system; the outer layer is chew-resistant, and the inner red layer acts as a safety indicator—alerting owners when the toy needs replacement. This ensures peace of mind while addressing the needs of intense puppy chewers. The Goughnuts also bounce, roll, and even float, adding versatility for extreme games of fetch and all types of outdoor play. Additionally, Goughnuts offers a lifetime guarantee, reflecting their confidence in the product’s durability.
What sets it apart from competitors: It stands out due to its engineering precision and focus on safety. Made from natural rubber reinforced with carbon technology, these toys are virtually indestructible. Unlike many competitors, Goughnut toys are designed by polymer engineers.
Best Freezable Puppy Teething Toy
4.5
★★★★★
Nylabone Freezer Bone
Who It’s For: Designed for teething puppies seeking relief from sore gums. Its unique feature allows the toy to be soaked and frozen, providing a cooling sensation that soothes discomfort during the teething phase.
Why we recommended it:The Nylabone Freezer Bone Puppy Chew Toy incorporates color-changing technology, soft bristles for gum massage and clean teeth, and the ability to be soaked and frozen provides a cooling sensation that soothes discomfort during the teething phase. The toy also includes wells that can be filled with treats, providing mental stimulation alongside physical relief. Its design teaches healthy chewing habits from an early age, potentially preventing destructive behavior in the future. It also features a soft teething cleaning cloth material that is gentle on young teeth.
What sets it apart from competitors: Innovative design that combines a freezable bone with a cloth component. This combination enhances the cooling effect, making it more effective in soothing inflamed gums.
Best Puppy Teething Chew Toy
4.6
★★★★★
Nylabone
Who It’s For: Designed for teething puppies with gentle chewing styles.
Why we recommended it:The Nylabone Textured Teething Bone is made from a soft, puppy-friendly material designed to be gentle on delicate gums. The textured surface features massaging nubs that alleviate teething discomfort and aid in cleaning teeth and freshening breath, contributing to overall oral health from an early age. Additionally, it’s infused with chicken flavor throughout, making it more appealing to puppies than toys with surface-only flavoring. The Nylabone Textured Teething Bone is made in the USA and is veterinarian-recommended, which adds to its credibility.
What sets it apart from competitors: Its design incorporates dental massaging nubs that help clean teeth, gum relief, and reduce plaque and tartar buildup as puppies chew, addressing both teething discomfort and oral hygiene simultaneously. Additionally, the ability to freeze the toy provides extra soothing relief for inflamed gums, offering a versatile solution during the teething phase.
Best Puppy Teething Starter Kit
4.7
★★★★★
Benebone Puppy
Who It’s For: Puppy owners seeking a variety of durable chew toys to keep their young dogs engaged and help soothe teething discomfort.
Why we recommended it:The Benebone Puppy Holiday 4-Pack introduces puppies to various textures and shapes, promoting healthy chewing habits from an early age. Each toy is infused with real flavors like bacon, fish, and maple wood, making them highly appealing to young pups. This set includes four distinct shapes: the Stick, Wishbone, Fishbone, and Zaggler, each designed to engage puppies in different chewing experiences. These toys are made in the USA, ensuring quality and safety standards are met. These toys are designed to be long-lasting, with many owners reporting that they withstand chewing much longer than other puppy toys.
What sets it apart from competitors: Each toy is infused with real flavors such as chicken, pork, and maple wood, making them more appealing to puppies than toys with surface-only flavoring. The kit offers a thoughtful combination of shapes and flavors, catering specifically to a puppy’s exploratory chewing behavior.
Best Budget Puppy Teething Toy
4.5
★★★★★
Petstages Cutie Chewies Hedgehog
Who It’s For: Budget-conscious pet owners seeking a versatile and durable option to support their puppy’s teething phase.
Why we recommended it:The Petstages Cutie Chewies Hedgehog is a multifunctional chew toy that serves as a dental aid and an interactive plaything. It’s constructed from premium Orka TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) material, which offers durability and flexibility. It has a unique hedgehog shape with raised textures and can bounce and float, making it suitable for various play scenarios, allowing for indoor, outdoor, and even water play.
What sets it apart from competitors: The spiky textures are designed to massage gums and help remove soft plaque as puppies chew, supporting oral hygiene.
Best Puppy Teething Toy for Tug of War
4.6
★★★★★
Nylabone Teethe ‘N Tug Chew Toy
Who It’s For: Designed for teething puppies who enjoy interactive play, particularly games like tug-of-war.
Why we recommended it:The Nylabone Teethe ‘N Tug Chew Toy offers a safe and engaging way to bond with your pet while addressing teething discomfort. We recommend this toy for its dual functionality as a chew-and-tug toy, which encourages socialization and redirects chewing away from furniture or other inappropriate items. The softer material is gentle on puppy teeth and gums, making it suitable for teething puppies, and relieves discomfort.
What sets it apart from competitors: Unlike traditional chew toys, it’s built explicitly for tugging games, which help burn excess energy, keep puppies engaged, and strengthen the bond between you and your puppy through engaging tug-of-war sessions.
Best Edible Puppy Teething Toy Treat
4.7
★★★★★
N-Bone Puppy Teething Sticks
Who It’s For: Puppy owners seeking a safe, edible option to alleviate teething discomfort while providing nutritional benefits.
Why we recommended it:The N-Bone Puppy Teething Sticks is the best teething toy designed to be consumed rather than lasting indefinitely like traditional chew toys. Their durability is moderate, as they’re designed to be chewed and eaten over time. These teething treats contain no wheat, corn, or soy, making them suitable for puppies with certain dietary restrictions. The peanut butter flavor highly appeals to most puppies, encouraging them to chew on the sticks rather than household items. With only 14 calories per stick, they’re a low-fat option that won’t contribute significantly to weight gain.
What sets it apart from competitors: Unique combination of being a chew teething toy and a treat, infused with DHA for brain development, and formulated to be completely edible and digestible.
Best Stuffable Puppy Teething Toy
4.6
★★★★★
KONG Puppy Tires
Who It’s For: Excellent choice for puppy owners looking to provide mental stimulation and relieve teething discomfort.
Why we recommended it:The KONG Puppy Tires offers relief for sore gums and an engaging play experience. Its durable rubber construction caters to a puppy’s natural chewing instincts while being gentle on developing teeth. It has a unique tire shape, which not only serves as a chew toy but also adds an unpredictable bounce during playtime, stimulating a puppy’s natural chasing instincts. Additionally, its robust construction ensures it withstands enthusiastic chewing, providing long-lasting entertainment. The toy’s design incorporates sidewalls that double up and rebound when compressed, providing an active chewing experience.
What sets it apart from competitors: The inner track can be stuffed with treats, allowing owners to create a mental challenge for their puppies while encouraging appropriate chewing habits. Freezing the toy with fillings can further soothe teething discomfort, making it a versatile addition to your puppy’s toy collection.
Best Cooling Puppy Teething Toy
4.5
★★★★★
Petstages Cool Teething Stick
Who It’s For: Designed for teething puppies experiencing gum discomfort thanks to its cooling design that relieves inflammation.
Why we recommended it:The Petstages Cool Teething Stick is a multifunctional toy that serves as a cooling teether and a chew toy. Its freezable design offers immediate relief for inflamed gums, making it a practical tool during teething. The combination of a fabric shell and a mold-resistant filling ensures both safety and durability, even after multiple freeze-and-thaw cycles. It’s made from a cotton-poly blend fabric with a stuffed interior, allowing it to be easily frozen for added relief. The toy comes in bright, multi-colored designs with fun streamers and ribbon ends for added texture and visual appeal.
What sets it apart from competitors: Unique freezable materials coupled with a crunchy texture when frozen add an engaging sensory experience for puppies. It’s free of lead and phthalates, addressing safety concerns for pet owners.
Best Puppy Teething Toy for 2 to 6 Months
4.5
★★★★★
KONG Puppy Binkie
Who It’s For: Crafted for puppies aged 2 to 6 months who are navigating the teething phase or teacup puppies who require an extra small teething toy.
Why we recommended it:The KONG Puppy Binkie comes in a unique pacifier shape combined with KONG’s exclusive soft puppy rubber formula, offering both comfort and durability during the critical teething phase. The Puppy Binkie is a multifunctional chew toy and treat dispenser, extending playtime and providing mental stimulation. The hollow center can be filled with rewards like peanut butter or yogurt, extending playtime and providing mental stimulation. It’s made in the USA from globally sourced materials.
What sets it apart from competitors: The unpredictable bounce pattern during play further stimulates a puppy’s natural instincts to chase and chew.
Best Puppy Teething Toy Kit for Multiple Puppies
4.6
★★★★★
Nylabone Puppy Starter Kit
Who It’s For: Designed for households with multiple puppies, offering a variety of chew toys and a treat to suit different teething stages and chewing preferences.
Why we recommended it:The Nylabone New Puppy Starter Kit caters to puppies at various developmental stages, making it a great all-in-one solution for multi-puppy homes. The kit comes with five chew toys and one natural treat, each tailored to specific needs. The pack includes softer toys for teething puppies, durable options for stronger chewers puppies as they grow, and an edible treat for added engagement. The inclusion of a variety of shapes and flavors ensures that each puppy can find something they enjoy, reducing competition over toys. Additionally, the toys promote dental health by helping to reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
What sets it apart from competitors: It offers a progression of chew toys that evolve with your puppies’ development. The natural treat is a nice bonus, and we loved it because it contains DHA and omega-3, which support brain and eye development in puppies.
Best Puppy Teething Antler Toy
4.8
★★★★★
Heartland Deer Antlers
Who It’s For: Ideal for pet owners seeking a natural, eco-friendly option that provides both teething relief and long-lasting chewing satisfaction.
Why we recommended it:The Heartland Deer Antlers are sourced from naturally shed deer antlers, ensuring a chemical-free and additive-free product. This natural composition offers a safe chewing experience, promoting dental health by helping to clean teeth and massage gums during teething. They contain beneficial nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and zinc that support bone health, while their hard texture helps reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Additionally, these antlers are made in the USA by a veteran-owned company, which may appeal to pet owners prioritizing domestic products.
What sets it apart from competitors: These antlers are Grade A, naturally shed, ensuring a sustainable and ethical product. Unlike traditional chews, these odorless antlers won’t stain carpets or furniture, making them perfect for indoor use.
Best Plush Puppy Teething Toy with Squeaker
4.7
★★★★★
ChoChoCho Bomb Plush Toy
Who It’s For: Perfect for puppies undergoing the teething phase who enjoy soft, squeaky toys.
Why we recommended it:The ChoChoCho Bomb Squeaky Dog Plush Toy combines softness and durability, making it suitable for gentle chewers and puppies in the teething phase. This plush toy is a squeaky and tug toy catering to different play styles. This dual feature not only soothes teething discomfort but also keeps puppies entertained. The built-in squeaker adds an extra element of engagement, encouraging interactive play and helping to keep puppies entertained.
What sets it apart from competitors: Bomb shape with a built-in squeaker and a durable rope handle, offering multiple play options in one toy. The attention to detail in its construction reflects a commitment to quality and aesthetic appeal, making it both a functional teething aid and an amusing plaything.
Best Puppy Teething Toy for Extra Small Breed Puppies
4.7
★★★★★
Nylabone Ring Bone Chew Toy
Who It’s For: Great for extra-small breed puppies, offering a safe and satisfying outlet for their natural chewing instincts during the teething phase.
Why we recommended it:The Nylabone Puppy Ring Bone Chew Toy offers a safe and satisfying outlet for the natural chewing instinct of small breed puppies, toy breed puppies, and even teacup puppies during the teething phase. Its petite size and gentle material cater to the delicate mouths of puppies weighing up to 15 pounds. These tasty toys contain delicious flavor medley and chicken flavor your puppy will love.
What sets it apart from competitors: The package comes with two toys, the toy is made of softer, flexible material designed just for teething puppies. The second toy is a durable nylon bone for your puppy to chew when he has all of his adult teeth.
Other Teething Toys For Puppies
Best puppy teething toy for large breed puppies: Benebone Wishbone (Bacon Flavor) is crafted from durable nylon, making it ideal for large breed puppies with strong chewing instincts. Its unique wishbone shape allows easy gripping, enabling prolonged chewing sessions that help alleviate teething discomfort. Infused with real bacon flavor, it offers an irresistible taste that keeps puppies engaged, promoting healthy chewing habits and diverting them from inappropriate items.
Best puppy teething stick: KONG Puppy Teething Stick is designed with a soft, durable rubber formula that soothes sore gums while satisfying your puppy’s natural urge to chew. Its patented Denta-Ridges™ clean teeth and massage gums, making it both a toy and a dental aid. The hollow center can be stuffed with treats or peanut butter, adding a mentally stimulating challenge that keeps pups busy.
Best natural rubber puppy teething toy: Earth Rated Tug of War Toy is made from 100% natural rubber. The Earth-Rated Tug of War Toy is a safe, non-toxic option for puppies who love interactive play. Its durable construction makes it great for tugging and chewing, while the textured surface helps massage gums and clean teeth. It’s eco-friendly and thoughtfully designed, perfect for teething relief during bonding play sessions.
Best interactive puppy teething toy: PUPTILY Interactive Ball is designed to keep curious puppies engaged with features like treat-dispensing and varied textures. These toys stimulate the mind and body, helping puppies burn energy while satisfying their urge to chew. Their interactivity helps reduce boredom and destructive behavior, making them a great choice for teething and training.
Best rope puppy teething toy: Knivel Puppy Rope Toys are made from durable cotton fibers that are gentle on growing teeth but tough enough for teething. The rope structure is perfect for tug-of-war and chewing, while the fibers act like natural floss to help clean teeth. They’re an affordable and multipurpose teething solution that supports oral hygiene and encourages interactive play.
Best puppy teething dental chew toy: Benebone Puppy 2-Pack (Dental Chew & Wishbone) includes two specially designed chews for dental health and general chewing. Made in the USA with real bacon flavor, the toys are softer than adult versions, making them safe and satisfying for teething puppies. The dental chew features grooves that clean teeth, while the wishbone shape provides hours of ergonomic chewing fun.
Best puppy teething toy for crate training: Diggs Groov Crate Training Aid is a brilliant crate training tool that turns crate time into a calming, positive experience. It attaches securely to the crate and can be filled with peanut butter or spreadable treats, encouraging licking behavior that reduces anxiety. Designed with safety and ease of use in mind, it’s perfect for helping puppies associate their crate with comfort during the teething stage.
The Bottom Line
Just like babies, teething puppies need the right tools to grow comfortably—and safely—into healthy adults. The best teething toys don’t just survive the chew test; they support development, reduce destructive behavior, and keep your pup happily distracted from your furniture and fingers. Whether you’re raising a tiny Chihuahua or a growing Golden Retriever, investing in the right teething toy now can mean fewer headaches (and vet bills) later. The key is knowing what’s safe, what’s soothing, and what’s worth your money. So go ahead—choose one (or two) of the toys we’ve recommended, and give your pup the relief they crave. Their gums (and your couch) will thank you.
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Sources
Canine Bible uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process and product review methodology to learn more about how we fact-check, test products, and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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