Teething isn’t fun for anyone. If you’re a puppy, you’re dealing with the unrelenting pressure of new teeth piercing through your gums. If you’re the owner, you’re dealing with shredded clothing on the floor and bite marks on the bottom of all your furniture. Any dog lover who has gone through this will tell you that chew toys are the best distraction for a teething puppy, helping to save their teeth, your furniture, and your sanity.
But if you’ve ever been to a pet store, you know there is an overwhelming number of puppy toys piled on every shelf. You can spend way too much money trying to find the right toys for a new puppy, so here are some of the best toy recommendations for teething puppies.
Nylabone ring bone
The Nylabone Ring Bone is a great place to start when your puppy starts teething. It has three differently-shaped, moving rings that keep your puppy interested for a longer period of time. The connected rings make noise when they hit each other, making it a fun toy to drag on the floor and can honestly entertain your puppy for hours for that reason alone. The best part is that each ring is textured with little bristles to help keep your puppies growing teeth clean!
Puppy teething rings
Puppy teething rings are many people’s go-to when it comes to teething puppies. But experts tend to recommend this kind in particular because it’s a natural chew treat, meaning your puppy can actually eat is slowly as he chews through it. These toys come in a pack of 6 or more and they’re full of nutritious vitamins and minerals, including calcium to keep your puppy’s teeth strong and healthy.
Kong puppy chew toy
The standard Kong is a staple toy for dogs of every age because the hole allows you to put treats or peanut butter inside to keep your dog working at it for a while. But it can come in extra handy for a teething puppy, too. The Kong puppy chew toy is small enough for a puppy to enjoy, and the tough rubber is durable to withstand the wrath of a puppy trying to distract himself from the constant pain of growing new teeth. The bonus of this toy is that it bounces so you can play fetch with it.
Kong puppy goodie bone
Like the standard Kong, the Kong puppy goodie bone is durable enough to stay in one piece. In the shape of a bone, it is easy for your puppy to pick up and run around with. This kind of Kong has two holes on each end that can hold treats or other food to hang on to your puppy’s interest for a longer period of time.
Benebone wishbone chew toy
Benebone wishbone chew toys are known for their unique shape and durability. Benebones are made from Nylon material so they last for quite a while, and their unique shape gives puppies something new to conquer from the standard bone shape that might get boring. On top of that, puppies love Benebones because they’re flavored! The bacon or peanut butter flavor will keep your puppy at it for hours. But be sure to throw it out once it gets worn out so that your puppy doesn’t try to eat it as it breaks into smaller pieces.
Bully sticks
Bully sticks tend to be every dog’s favorite, and they’re great for teething puppies, too. Dog owners, on the other hand, might not love them as much just for knowing that they are made from rinsed and dried bull penises. They are full of nutrition and to your puppy they taste great so just one of them can keep your puppy chewing for what seems like forever. Like the Benebone, though, it’s smart to keep an eye on your puppy while chewing a bully stick to make sure they’re not biting off big pieces and trying to swallow them.
Elk antlers
If you thought bully sticks last forever as puppy chew toys, elk antler last longer. Like bully sticks, elk antlers are another all natural source of nutrition, especially calcium. Your puppy will love the taste, but they can be tough on your puppy’s teeth since they’re basically hard bones, so experts recommend only letting a growing pup chew on an elk antler for an hour or so.