If you’re a new puppy owner, you might be wondering about the best chew toys for puppies to prevent those sharp teeth from nibbling on you and wreaking havoc on your furniture and shoes.
With a wide variety of options available, it can feel overwhelming, but fear not!
In this blog, we'll guide you through everything you need to know about choosing the best chew toys for puppies, including their significance during the teething phase and the safest, most popular options on the market.
Table of Contents:
- The Importance Of Chew Toys For Puppies
- Types of Chew Toys for Puppies
- Top Picks: The Best Chew Toys For Teething Puppies
- How to Encourage Appropriate Chewing Habits in Puppies
- FAQs in Relation to Best Chew Toys for Puppies
- Ian's Wrap
The Importance Of Chew Toys For Puppies
Chew toys play a pivotal role in a puppy's life, serving as much more than just a play object, they hold tremendous importance in promoting both physical and mental well-being during the critical stages of a dog's development.
Puppies, like human infants, undergo a teething stage, a process that can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful.
Chew toys provide a safe and constructive outlet for their natural urge to chew, alleviating sore gums and teeth and preventing them from gnawing on inappropriate objects in the house.
These toys also help to strengthen their jaw muscles and improve their dental health.
Beyond the physical benefits, chew toys keep puppies mentally stimulated, preventing boredom and destructive behaviours. By engaging their minds and satisfying their natural instincts, these toys contribute to a happy, balanced, and well-adjusted puppy.
Types of Chew Toys for Puppies
The variety of puppy toys on the market is huge, catering to all sorts of preferences and needs. It's important to understand the various kinds of chew toys available so you can make an educated choice.
Rubber Chew Toys
Toys made of rubber are a favourite among pet owners in Australia. Their durability often outlasts other materials, making them a cost-effective option.
Many rubber toys are also designed as food puzzles, allowing you to place hidden treats or dog-safe peanut butter inside providing hours of added amusement and mental stimulation for your furry friend.
Rope Toys
If your pup is going through the teething phase, then rope toys could be just what you need. These not only soothe sore gums but also provide dental benefits - chewing on these ropes helps remove plaque from their teeth, which promotes better oral health.
Puzzle Toys
Taking it up a notch from regular rubber toys are dog puzzle toys like the Classic Kong and Puppy Kong Toy, where pups have to work out how to get the hidden treats inside. Dog puzzle toys stimulate mental activity alongside physical exercise - giving double value.
Edible treats, like bully sticks, can also serve as enjoyable chew toys for teething pups, providing relief to their sore baby teeth and promoting healthy chewing habits as they transition to adult teeth.
Always supervise your pup when providing these treats and choose bully sticks that are appropriate for your puppy's size.
Selecting Based On Puppy's Size And Age
The size and age of your pup play significant roles in determining suitable chew toys. Smaller pups might struggle with large or overly hard toys while larger breeds could easily destroy or choke on a toy designed for small dogs.
A breed guide can be handy as it provides insights into breed-specific traits such as jaw strength.
Safety Considerations
Safety involves avoiding toxic materials when choosing a great chew toy. Some plastics contain harmful chemicals like BPA or phthalates which may leach out during chewing sessions.
Non-toxic rubber or latex-based products tend to be safer options but always check labels before purchase.
Toys with tiny parts pose choking risks if they break off and get swallowed by curious puppies.
Rope toys require special attention because threads can unravel over time creating long strands that puppies might swallow causing serious intestinal issues.
The Role Of Supervised Playtime
No matter what type of chew toy you opt for, supervised play is essential especially when introducing new items into their routine. This allows for monitoring signs of wear-and-tear and preventing possible accidents beforehand.
Top Picks: The Best Chew Toys For Teething Puppies
Kong Puppy Goodie Bone With Rope: The KONG Puppy Goodie Bone with Rope is a great chew toy for puppies, made from KONG classic puppy rubber to teach appropriate chewing behaviour and ease teething discomfort. The all-natural cotton rope adds extra fun and chewing options.
All For Paws Pups Cactus Chill Teething Toy: With its textured design, this teething toy offers soothing relief for a puppy's aching gums, and when chilled in the freezer, it provides additional comfort. The convenient ring handle ensures easy gripping for little puppy paws.
KONG Teething Stick: Crafted from durable rubber, the KONG Puppy Teething Stick is perfect for teething pups. It serves as a gentle dental aid providing relief from aching gums and ensuring clean teeth during chewing. For extended playtime enjoyment, consider filling it with dog-safe peanut butter.Zippy Paws ZippyTuff Teetherz: Designed for tough chewers, this durable toy provides endless fun for dogs of all ages. Its flexible materials ensures enjoyable chewing, fetching, and tug-of-war play, standing up to even the sharpest puppy teeth. Available in various fun designs, this toy is sure to last through your puppy's teething stage.
KONG Puppy: The puppy version of the popular classic Kong, the puppy Kong is designed for small mouths. Made from non-toxic rubber, this durable toy is tailor-made for growing pups with baby teeth.
Specifically designed to suit puppy's teeth, it teaches proper chewing behaviour, enriches playtime, and fulfills instinctual needs with its erratic bounce, perfect for playful pups.
How to Encourage Appropriate Chewing Habits in Puppies
The art of teaching your puppy appropriate chewing habits might seem daunting, but it's actually quite manageable. Here are the steps you can take to foster healthy and suitable chewing behaviours in your pup.
Distract & Replace
If you find your pup gnawing on something off-limits, distract them gently by offering a chew toy your dog likes. Consistency plays a crucial role here - always replace what they're not supposed to have with something acceptable and fun.
Incorporate Training Sessions into Playtime
Incorporating training sessions during playtimes can also prove to be beneficial to both pups and pet parents. Teach commands like "leave it" or "drop it", which will come in handy if ever there's a need to prevent unwanted chewing immediately.
Reward Good Behaviour
Reward-based training has been proven to be effective when trying to encourage good behaviour in pets - this includes promoting proper chewing habits.
When you see them opting for their toy rather than forbidden items around the house (like shoes or furniture), make sure to praise them enthusiastically and give treats for positive reinforcement.
This way, they associate the act correctly with a reward and are more likely to repeat it in the future.
All these methods combined help shape a healthier and happier environment for both the pup and pet parents. Remember, the key element in any form of consistency is patience. So stay the course and enjoy the journey of raising an adorable little companion.
Teaching your pup the right chewing habits isn't as tough as you think.
Pick chew toys that match their size and age, distract them from naughty nibbling with these toys, mix in training during playtime, and reward good behaviour.
Remember - patience is key.
FAQs in Relation to Best Chew Toys for Puppies
What toys are good for puppies to chew?
Rubber toys, rope toys, and edible treats are excellent options. These promote dental health, mental stimulation, and help distract pups from destructive behaviours.
What are the best chew toys for puppies?
The best chew toys for puppies are those designed for small mouths and made from durable materials. Look for toys with soft rubber textures and avoid toys with small parts that could be swallowed. Zach's Pet Shop has a great range of chew toys specifically designed for puppies.
Is it safe for puppies to chew on toys?
Yes, but ensure the toy is appropriate for your puppy's age and size. Always supervise playtime to prevent accidental swallowing or choking.
Ian's Wrap
One of the most common questions new pet parents ask is how to stop puppies from chewing on everything they can sink their teeth into.
Understanding that chewing is a normal and necessary behaviour for our puppies can help us approach this issue with patience and the right tools.
By introducing a variety of safe and engaging chew toys, we can redirect their focus and help them develop appropriate chewing habits.
Rubber toys, rope toys or edible treats - there's a variety to choose from!
The key to picking the best chew toys for puppies is picking options that are age-appropriate and suitable for your puppy's size.
And remember, encouraging good chewing habits with positive reinforcement goes a long way in raising a well-behaved pup.
If you're ready to start shopping for your pet’s needs, look no further than Zach's Pet Shop. We've got an extensive range of high-quality teething toys perfect for Aussie pups.
About Ian
With an impressive track record of nearly 15 years, Ian has been supplying high-quality pet products to Australians, earning their trust and loyalty.