For the foundational guidance behind these picks, see the full guide to enrichment and mental exercise for dogs.
Puppy teething starts around three to four months and runs until about six or seven months, when the adult teeth finish coming in. During those months, the puppy will chew everything within reach. The owner’s job is to provide acceptable chewing options before the puppy finds unacceptable ones (table legs, shoes, your hands). The right teething toys soothe sore gums, satisfy the chewing drive, and survive the punishment of teething-age puppy mouths.
This guide compares five teething toys across textures and styles: freezable rings for gum cooling, textured rubber for active chewing, rope-based toys for combined chewing and flossing, gentle rubber for very young puppies, and durable nylon for stronger teething chewers. The picks separate younger teething puppies (who need softer textures) from older puppies finishing teething (who need more durability as adult teeth emerge).
As someone who owns a small dog, I take a research-voice approach to the puppy-specific picks since my dog passed the teething phase years ago. The picks below are based on construction, safety, and category reputation rather than recent personal use.
Quick Verdict:
- Best for: puppies between three and seven months in active teething, owners of new puppies wanting to prevent furniture chewing, multi-puppy households needing several toys per pup.
- Skip if: your dog is past teething age; adult chew toys handle ongoing chewing needs better than teething-specific designs.
How We Chose These Teething Toys
Selection focused on safety (no small detachable pieces, non-toxic materials, no choking hazards), appropriate softness for teething-age gums (too hard damages erupting teeth; too soft destroys in days), texture variety that addresses different teething stages, washability for daily cleaning, and reasonable cost given puppies will destroy toys faster than adult dogs. We excluded toys marketed as teething-suitable but containing small parts that could become choking hazards.
For broader puppy context, see the best puppy toys for the general toy framework, best puppy training pads for the broader puppy supply list, and how to socialize a puppy for the foundational puppy-care guide.
Decision Matrix: Which Toy for Which Teething Stage
| Teething Stage | Toy Type | Top Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Early teething, very sore gums | Freezable rubber ring | Nylabone Puppy Chew Freezer Bone |
| Active mid-teething chewers | Textured natural rubber | Kong Puppy Classic |
| Combined chewing and flossing | Rope toy with rubber elements | Mammoth Flossy Chews Puppy |
| Very young puppies (8-12 weeks) | Soft rubber | JW Pet Puppy Hol-ee Roller |
| Late teething, durable chewers | Puppy-formula nylon | Nylabone Puppy Power Chew |
1. Kong Puppy Classic: Best Overall Pick
The Kong Puppy Classic is the standard against which other puppy chew toys are measured. Softer rubber than the adult Kong (formulated specifically for puppy teeth and gums), hollow design for stuffing with treats or kibble (extends the chewing time and provides mental engagement), and durability that survives most teething puppies while being gentle on developing teeth.
The stuffing option is the differentiator. Plain rubber toys hold attention briefly; Kongs with peanut butter, kibble, or dental-paste smeared inside hold attention through significant chewing sessions. The hollow design also gives the puppy a chewing target that flexes slightly under bite pressure, which feels good on sore gums.
Best for
Mid-teething active puppies, owners wanting to combine chewing with mental engagement via stuffing, breeds from small to large (sizing options across the puppy line).
Skip if
You want a freezable option for very sore gums; the Kong is not designed for freezer use.
Check Price on Amazon2. Nylabone Puppy Chew Freezer Bone: Best for Sore Gums
The Nylabone Puppy Chew Freezer Bone is designed to be filled with water and frozen. The cold rubber provides direct relief to sore teething gums, which is the most painful phase of teething typically occurring during the middle weeks of the teething window. Soft, flexible material when thawed; firm when frozen for active relief.
Multiple freezer-ready toys mean rotation; one in the freezer while another is in use. The texture provides gentle gum massage during chewing. Build quality is reasonable for the price; expect to replace within a few months of regular teething use. The freezer concept distinguishes this category from standard rubber toys.
Best for
Acute teething pain phase, puppies showing significant gum discomfort, owners wanting active pain relief rather than just chewing distraction.
Skip if
Your puppy is past peak teething pain; durable rubber options provide better long-term value.
Check Price on Amazon3. Mammoth Flossy Chews Puppy: Best for Combined Chewing and Dental Care
The Mammoth Flossy Chews Puppy combines rope material with rubber elements, providing chewing surface plus a flossing action as the puppy gnaws. The rope fibers slip between teeth and remove plaque while the puppy chews; this matters particularly for puppies whose adult teeth are starting to emerge and need early dental hygiene establishment.
Rope materials are puppy-safe (no chemical dyes, no strings that unravel). Multiple sizes accommodate small to large breeds. The trade-off is rope toys produce more mess (chewed fibers scatter) and need replacement when significantly frayed. Some owners cycle rope toys with rubber toys to provide variety.
Best for
Puppies establishing early dental habits, mid-to-late teething when adult teeth are emerging, owners wanting to introduce flossing-style chewing early.
Skip if
Your puppy aggressively shreds materials; rope can become a choking hazard if the puppy unravels and swallows long strands.
Check Price on Amazon📑 Recommended Read: Teething is a phase, not a permanent stage. The chewing drive remains after teething ends, but the products needed change. Adult chew toys are firmer than puppy toys and last significantly longer. Plan to transition once your puppy reaches around six or seven months. See the best chew toys for aggressive chewers for the post-teething transition.
4. JW Pet Puppy Hol-ee Roller: Best for Very Young Puppies
The JW Pet Puppy Hol-ee Roller is sized and formulated for the youngest teething puppies in the early weeks before active teething begins. Very soft rubber that flexes easily under small puppy jaws, ball-with-holes design that holds small treats for engagement, and bright colors that catch puppy attention. The soft rubber is gentle on baby teeth that are still loose and emerging.
The trade-off is the same softness that suits young puppies makes the toy unsuitable for older puppies who will destroy it quickly. Useful for the early teething phase before the puppy has developed jaw strength. The hole design also doubles as a treat-dispensing feature that mildly engages the puppy mentally during chewing.
Best for
Very young puppies in the early teething weeks, tiny breeds where standard puppy toys are oversized, gentle first-introduction to chewing toys.
Skip if
Your puppy is past the very young phase or is a larger breed; older or stronger puppies will destroy this in days.
Check Price on Amazon5. Nylabone Puppy Power Chew: Best for Late-Teething Strong Chewers
The Nylabone Puppy Power Chew is the higher-durability puppy option for stronger chewers in the late teething phase. Specifically formulated for puppy teeth (softer than adult Nylabone formulas) but firmer than the early-stage soft picks. Bristle texture provides gum stimulation and helps remove tartar as the puppy chews.
The shape and size options accommodate small to large breeds. Build quality is durable for puppy formulation; expect longer life than the soft rubber picks. Not for very young puppies; the firmness can be too much for emerging baby teeth. Suits puppies in the later teething weeks when adult teeth are coming in.
Best for
Late-teething phase (around five to seven months), stronger puppy chewers who destroy softer toys quickly, durable option for owners tired of replacing toys weekly.
Skip if
Your puppy is in early teething; the firmer formulation is too hard for emerging baby teeth.
Check Price on AmazonTeething Stages and What Each Needs
Puppy teething progresses through identifiable stages with different needs at each. The earliest stage involves baby teeth fully erupted and the puppy beginning to explore chewing; soft toys suit this stage. The active teething phase involves baby teeth loosening and falling out as adult teeth push through; this is when gums are most sore and freezable toys provide relief.
The late teething phase involves adult teeth fully emerging and developing the strength of the adult bite; durable but still puppy-formulated toys suit this stage. By the end of the typical teething window, most puppies have completed teething and need adult chew toys (which are firmer than puppy toys).
The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that teething is a temporary developmental phase but the chewing drive established during teething continues into adulthood; channeling that drive appropriately during puppyhood establishes long-term chewing habits. For broader puppy training context, see how to stop a puppy from biting and how to train a dog guide.
Common Teething Toy Mistakes
Giving adult chew toys to teething puppies: adult Nylabones, Kongs, and similar firm chew toys can damage emerging puppy teeth. Use puppy-formulated versions during teething. Skipping toy rotation: puppies lose interest in single toys quickly. Rotate several toys through the puppy’s access so each feels novel when reintroduced. Leaving destroyed toys in use: chewed toys with detached pieces become choking hazards. Inspect toys regularly and replace when significant chunks come off. Ignoring size sizing: a toy sized for a Chihuahua puppy presents a choking hazard for a Labrador puppy. Match toy size to the puppy’s mouth and projected adult size. Using ice cubes alone as teething relief: while cold relief is helpful, ice cubes can chip teeth or cause dental damage. Use purpose-built freezable toys instead. Allowing unsupervised chewing of new toys: until you know how aggressively your specific puppy chews a specific toy, supervise the first sessions. Some puppies destroy “indestructible” toys; others gently chew on supposedly fragile ones. Failing to provide enough chewing outlets: a teething puppy without acceptable toys finds unacceptable targets (shoes, furniture, fingers). Multiple toys in different textures distract the chewing drive from household items.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does puppy teething start and end? Most puppies begin teething around three to four months and complete the process around six to seven months. Smaller breeds may finish slightly earlier; larger breeds slightly later.
How do I know if my puppy is teething? Signs include increased chewing on everything available, mild bleeding from the gums occasionally, finding small baby teeth around the house, swollen or red gums, mild irritability, and slightly reduced appetite during peak teething weeks.
Can I give my teething puppy ice cubes? Small ice chips work occasionally for relief but ice cubes can chip teeth. Purpose-built freezable rubber toys provide cold relief without the dental risk.
How many teething toys should I have? At least three to five different toys to allow rotation and variety. Different textures address different aspects of teething; the variety prevents the puppy from getting bored with any single toy.
Are rope toys safe for puppies? Generally yes with supervision. The risk is the puppy unraveling rope and swallowing long strands, which can cause intestinal blockages. Supervise rope toy play and replace when significantly frayed.
What about rawhide for teething puppies? Common veterinary guidance advises against rawhide for puppies due to choking and digestive blockage risks. Stick to manufactured puppy chew toys.
Should I give my puppy frozen carrots or fruit? Some vets approve frozen baby carrots in supervised chewing for older puppies. Avoid fruits with high sugar content. Always supervise food-based chewing options.
When should I see a vet? If teething seems severe (significant bleeding, refusal to eat, retained baby teeth past seven months, broken adult teeth), see your vet. Most teething is uncomfortable but normal; persistent issues warrant evaluation. See how to potty train a puppy for the broader puppy-care framework that overlaps with teething.
