Puppy Teething: What to Give a Puppy Who Bites Everything (Safe Chews by Size)

Teething puppies chew everything: hands, shoes, chair legs and cables. One owner wrote in an Amazon review, “We have a 10 week old puppy who I actually thought may eat us in his sleep!” The goal is to give that chewing somewhere safe to go.

The right teething toy is soft enough for puppy teeth, the right size for your puppy’s mouth, and used with supervision. This guide covers sizing by weight, the swallowing risk, a freezer trick for sore gums, and five teething chews owners buy most.

Short version: Pick a puppy-specific chew sized for your puppy’s weight, take it away when it gets small or breaks, and supervise every chew. The Nylabone Puppy Pacifier is the most popular toy, N-Bone Teething Rings are an edible option, and a chilled chew can soothe sore gums.

What Can I Give a Teething Puppy to Chew?

Soft, puppy-specific chew toys and edible teething chews made for puppies are the usual choices. Puppy toys are made from softer material than adult chews, so they are gentler on baby teeth and gums. One owner said a Nylabone puppy toy “has really helped redirect my puppy from chewing on furniture and shoes, and it seems to soothe his gums while he’s teething.”

Swap a toy in whenever your puppy mouths something it shouldn’t, and praise it for chewing the toy instead. For more on why some dogs wreck toys, see our guide to why dogs destroy their toys.

Chew Toy Size by Puppy Weight

The most common complaint about teething toys is that they are too big for small puppies. Choose by your puppy’s current weight and the weight line on the listing, and size up as your puppy grows.

If you have more than one dog, Nylabone suggests choosing chews for the largest, strongest chewer in the house.

The Freezer Tip for Sore Gums

Cold can make chewing more soothing. One Nylabone Puppy Pacifier owner wrote, “I keep it in the freezer and she goes at it best while it is still cold.” The Cool Teething Stick is made to soak in water and freeze, and Nylabone lists its Teething Ring as freezer-friendly. Chill toys only if the listing allows it, and supervise as usual.

When Your Puppy Gets Adult Teeth

Puppy chews are soft for a reason, and they are not built for adult jaws. Nylabone says its puppy chews should not be used by a dog with any of its adult teeth. Once the adult teeth are in, move to tougher toys; our guide to toys for aggressive chewers has options, and the puppy toys section of our dog toy guide covers other age-appropriate toys.

The Picks, Up Close

Nylabone Puppy Pacifier Chew Toy, Small (up to 25 lb)

Nylabone Puppy Pacifier — Check price on Amazon

This is one of the top sellers in Amazon’s dog chew toy category. It is a soft, bacon-flavored puppy chew with nubs that Nylabone says comfort gums and help clean teeth. The Small fits puppies up to 25 pounds, and the listing also offers X-Small. Nylabone says it is for gentle chewers and not for powerful puppies or puppies with adult teeth.

Best for: Puppies up to 25 pounds in the peak teething stage.

N-Bone Puppy Teething Rings, Pumpkin Flavor, 6 Rings

N-Bone Teething Rings — Check price on Amazon

An edible teething chew, not a toy. N-Bone says the rings are made in the USA, enriched with calcium and DHA, and contain no plastic or rawhide, and they are made for puppies 3 months and older. Some puppies finish one fast, and one owner said “theyre perfect to put in her mouth when she wants to bite.” Give one at a time, take away small leftover pieces, and introduce them slowly, since one reviewer said “2 of my dogs get diarrhea every time they have one.”

Best for: A supervised treat for puppies who like to chew something edible.

Cool Teething Stick Dental Dog Chew Toy, Soak and Freeze, 8.5 inch

Cool Teething Stick — Check price on Amazon

A soft, stuffed polyester stick with fringe that you soak in water and freeze for a cool chew. It is inexpensive and great for redirecting chewing away from furniture and shoes. The maker is clear that no toy is indestructible: don’t leave it with an unsupervised puppy, and replace it if it is damaged.

Best for: Cool relief on sore-gum days.

Nylabone Puppy Chew Teething Ring Bone, X-Small

Nylabone Puppy Teething Ring — Check price on Amazon

A small, chicken-flavored ring bone with ridges and nubs for sore gums. The X-Small is for puppies up to 15 pounds, and Nylabone lists it as freezer-friendly. Larger sizes are on the same listing for bigger puppies. Like the Pacifier, it is made for gentle chewers without adult teeth.

Best for: Small and toy-breed puppies.

Beiker 20 Pack Puppy Chew Toys

Beiker 20 Pack — Check price on Amazon

A rotation set for puppies and small dogs: soft rubber dental toys, rope toys, tug toys, teething rings, a pacifier, a rubber bone and a treat dispenser. Beiker says it left out squeaky toys and small parts, and that the set is not suitable for heavy chewers. Rotating a few toys at a time keeps them interesting. Take rope toys away if they start to fray. Swallowed strings can cause a blockage.

Best for: New puppy homes that want variety.

FAQ

How long does puppy teething last?

Teething usually runs for several months while the adult teeth come in. Ask your vet to check your puppy’s teeth at its puppy visits.

Are frozen chews safe for puppies?

Chilled chews made for freezing, like the Cool Teething Stick, are popular. Only freeze toys the maker says can be frozen, and supervise.

What should I do if my puppy bites hands?

Stop play calmly, offer a chew toy instead, and praise your puppy when it chews the toy. Be consistent, and keep a toy within reach.

Can puppies chew adult dog chews?

Many adult chews are too hard for puppy teeth. Stick to puppy-labeled chews until the adult teeth are in, then move up.

Final Take

The Nylabone Puppy Pacifier is the most popular teething toy, N-Bone Teething Rings are the edible option, the Cool Teething Stick and Nylabone Teething Ring are good chilled, and the Beiker 20 Pack gives you plenty to rotate. Size every chew by weight, supervise every session, and move up to adult toys when the adult teeth arrive.