Best things for puppies to chew on when teething

Why do puppies like to chew?

Puppies – and dogs more generally – love a good chew. And that’s because chewing releases natural endorphins, which helps to promote relaxation and calmness. It can also help relieve sore mouths from puppy teething.

Plus giving your puppy appropriate items to chew on is beneficial for their dental health, and provides mental stimulation. It can also help prevent destructive chewing. Read on to find out the best things to give your puppy or dog to chew.

It’s worth noting that dental treatment isn’t usually covered by dog insurance. But Agria policies do. Find out more about what kind of dental treatment is covered by pet insurance.

What can my puppy chew safely?

Your local pet store is a good place to start looking for chews which have been tested and approved as safe. Here are some of the chew options that you can buy, and a few that you can improvise.

Rubber chew toys

Rubber chew toys are durable and flexible, designed to withstand vigorous chewing. Unsurprisingly, many of these are bone-shaped.

Cooling rubber toys can be a good option too, such as the Chillax cooling bone. You can soak these in water and freeze overnight. Not only are these good for relieving sore gums, but can help keep your pup cool on hot days.

Interactive food-dispensing chew toys

There are plenty of rubber toys available which dispense food too, with Kong being among the most popular brands. Many owners will be very familiar with the Kong Wobbler.

Stuffing these toys with your dog’s regular food can help provide a satisfying meal through chewing and releasing of the food. And freezing the food overnight can make for a longer-lasting treat and relief for sore gums. Other favourites include treats, frozen yoghurt and peanut butter - although be sure to buy unsalted doggy peanut butter.

Raw (not cooked) bones

Providing your dog is already fed a raw diet, raw bones can make a delicious and mentally stimulating treat. For non-raw fed dogs, natural skin and vegetable chews are also widely available.

Nylon bones

Nylon bones are sturdy and long-lasting, and available in various flavours to appeal to your puppy. Be sure to choose the appropriate size for your puppy's breed and age.

Dental chews

These are specifically designed to help clean teeth and gums. Dental chews can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup, while also satisfying your puppy’s need to chew.

Bully sticks or pizzle sticks

Dried meat sticks are another good option for chewing, while also being digestible. It’s always best to avoid rawhide when choosing treats and chews, as rawhide is known to cause blockages.

Frozen treats

You can also freeze numerous foods that dogs enjoy, which can help to soothe teething puppies, while also being a tasty, satisfying chew. Depending on what your pup enjoys, this could include:

• Carrot sticks
• Slices of apple
• Banana bites
• Frozen yoghurt
• Doggy peanut butter

Find out how to make your own doggy ice cream here.

Keep an eye on your pup while chewing

Always be sure to supervise your puppy with any chew item. You should also regularly check their chews for wear and tear. This will help prevent choking hazards, or ingesting large pieces.

Here are some more useful articles related to your puppy’s teeth:

•  When do puppies lose their teeth?
• Persistent milk teeth in dogs
• How to stop a puppy biting

What about older dogs?

All of the above suggestions are good things for dogs to chew, whether they’re pups or seasoned older dogs.

With more mature dogs, it can be tempting to leave them to chew things unsupervised. But it’s important not to let them chew certain things, such as:

• Cooked bones
• Rawhide
• Hard plastic items
• Household items, such as shoes and socks
• Sticks and twigs
• Tennis balls

With items such as these, there’s a risk of parts breaking off, which can be choking hazards or cause blockages. And abrasive items - such as tennis ball surfaces - can wear down your dog’s teeth over time.

Thank you to Natures Menu for contributing this article. Find out more about Natures Menu puppy and dog food here.