8 Best Puppy Chew Toys for Teething and Gnawing

Puppies discover the world with their noses and mouths. And one of the most fun things about being a new pet parent is watching them get to know their surroundings. But if you’re not careful, they will “explore” your shoes, socks, furniture, or other household items that are definitely not meant to be puppy teething toys. 

Puppies will chew on just about anything so it’s essential to get them plenty of puppy toys to keep them busy. And if you think about it, even the highest-quality toys for puppies are a lot less expensive than buying new shoes or furniture! 

With that in mind, we’ve researched extensively to bring you the best puppy toys for chewing, so your new furry friend can go to town on toys made just for them. 

Best Chew Toys for Puppies: Our Top Picks

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

• Overall Best Chew Toy for Puppies: KONG Classic Dog Toy
• Best Puppy Teething Toy: Nylabone Teething Puppy Chew
• Best Flavored Chew Toy: Benebone Tiny Zaggler/Maplestick Chew Toy 2-Pack
• Best Puppy Teething Ring: Petstages Orka Grow-with-Me-Ring Dog Chew Toy
• Safest Chew Toy for Puppies: Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Foodies Artichoke
• Best Affordable Chew Toy for Puppies: Spot by Ethical Products Bambone Plus Bamboo Stick
• Best Soothing Teething Toy for Puppies: PetSafe Freezable Treat-Holding Chilly Penguin
• Best Puppy Toy for Aggressive Chewers: West Paw Hurley with Zogoflex 

8 Best Puppy Chew Toys and Teething Toys

To help you choose the best puppy chew toy for your new little ball of energy, we chose favorites in multiple categories. 

Overall Best Chew Toy for Puppies

Our Pick: KONG Classic Dog Toy

A leading brand in chew toys and unanimously recommended by veterinarians, the KONG is one of the best puppy toys for teething and chewing, and the Kong Classic is a clear winner for the overall best puppy chew toy. KONG is inexpensive, great for fetch, and a safe chew toy for puppies. The odd shape allows for unpredictable direction when it rolls and bounces, making it extra fun and mentally stimulating for your pup. Fill it with peanut butter, kibble, or even KONG Easy Treat for the ultimate reward Some customers even suggest freezing the KONG with treats inside, so it lasts longer and is more soothing for sore puppy mouths.

If your pup is early in the teething stage (under 24 weeks), the KONG Rubber Teething Chew Toy is made of softer rubber, suitable for a puppy’s baby teeth and tender gums. 

Pros

• Inexpensive and long lasting
• Made of non-toxic, pet-safe rubber
• Can be used as a treat dispenser, fetching toy, bouncing toy, or puppy teething toy
• Available in multiple sizes
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Some customers reported that their puppies were able to chew through it

Best Puppy Teething Toy

Our Pick: Nylabone Teething Puppy Chew

Nylabone makes some of the best puppy teething toys out there. Designed for puppies under 25 pounds, this one features a peanut butter-flavored bone with wells that can be filled and frozen, as well as soft bristles that massage and numb sore gums. It has an attached cloth, which can provide added soothing comfort when wet down and frozen. The cloth also makes this puppy teething toy great for games like tug-of war or keep-away.

Pros

• Made from non-toxic, pet-safe material
• Can be frozen to alleviate sore gums from puppy teething
• Some customers said the wells were great for holding peanut butter

Cons

• Only comes in one size and is designed for puppies under 25 pounds. The Nylabone Moderate Chill & Chew Toy is a version made for bigger dogs
• Some puppies don’t care for nylon chew toys

Best Flavored Chew Toy

Our Pick: Benebone Tiny Zaggler/Maplestick Chew Toy 2-Pack

Your pup will go bonkers for these deliciously flavored chewing bones. Designed for dogs under 15 pounds, this 2-pack comes with a bacon-flavored “Zaggler” that’s flavored with 100% real bacon and a tasty “Maplestick” that’s made with real maple wood – without the splinters! These tasty puppy chew toys feature an edible pet-safe nylon design for pups who are medium chewers. Nylon bones make for some of the best chew toys for puppies since they are long lasting and can also be used for games of fetch and keep-away.

Pros

• Durable and long lasting
• Made from non-toxic nylon
• Comes with 2 different naturally flavored bones
• Made in the USA

Cons

• HIgher price point
• Just for dogs under 15 pounds. Similar bones are available for bigger puppies such as the Benebone Puppy Wishbone.

Best Puppy Teething Ring

Our Pick: Petstages Orka Grow-with-Me-Ring Dog Chew Toy

There are plenty of incredible teething rings out there, but we chose this one from Petstages for a few reasons. We love how it’s designed with three separate areas with three different textures to help keep little chompers busy during the teething process. The flexible, durable, food-safe material massages the gums and gives jaw muscles a workout. Plus, it bounces for tons of fetching fun.

Pros

• Great price point
• Features three sections with three different textures 
• Made from flexible, durable, food-safe TPE material
• Promotes dental health
• Pet parents love how it bounces in different directions when tossed

Cons

• May not be ideal for very heavy chewers; some customers noted that their dog chewed through the material 

Safest Chew Toy for Puppies

Our Pick: Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Foodies Artichoke

If you’re looking for a toy that’s not only durable but also safe for your furry friend, you’ll love this pick from Planet Dog. Not too big yet not too small for playful pups, it’s made of sturdy Orbee-Tuff material that’s free from BPA, phthalates, and lead, and stands up to those curious little chewers. Plus, it can hold a few treats and is infused with a mint scent to help freshen puppy breath.

Pros

• Made with durable Orbee-Tuff material
• Food-grade material is BPA, lead, and phthalate free
• Scented with mint
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Some customers mentioned the hole is a little small for certain treats
• Toy may be a little large, depending on the size of your puppy

Best Affordable Chew Toy for Puppies

Our Pick: Spot by Ethical Products Bambone Plus Bamboo Stick

If you’re on a tight budget or just trying out a variety of puppy chew toys to see what your pet likes, this is a great one to add to your collection. Made with a mix of bamboo fibers and nylon, this tough, durable, chicken-flavored chew toy features the look and feel of wood without the dangers that come along with it. The Bambone is available in two sizes, with the perfectly puppy-sized medium version coming in under $5.

Pros

• Great price point
• Safe and non toxic
• Made of bamboo fibers and nylon
• Ideal for heavy chewers and teething pups

Cons

• Some customers said that the toy was smaller than they expected

Best Soothing Teething Toy for Puppies

Our Pick: PetSafe Freezable Treat-Holding Chilly Penguin

Ideal for soothing sore teething puppy gums, as well as the constant craving for a treat, this chilly chew toy pulls double duty. Simply fill with your pup’s favorite treat, then freeze it for cooling relief with a fun surprise snack. It comes in two sizes, with the smaller one being ideal for dogs 8-30 pounds; buy a few and stack them easily in the freezer so you always have one on hand!

Highlights

• Can be frozen with a treat inside 
• Stackable design
• Rounded bottom for wobbly playtime fun
• Top-rack dishwasher safe
• Great price point

Things to Consider

• Some customers found this toy difficult to fill and clean

Best Puppy Toy for Aggressive Chewers

Our Pick: West Paw Hurley with Zogoflex  

If you have a heavy chewer, don’t waste your money on flimsy or soft chew toys. Not only will your pup shred and possibly choke on the material, but they will quickly become bored and look for something else in the house to chew. This chew toy from West Paw is made from non-toxic Zogoflex material that is not only BPA and latex free, but also bounces and floats for tons of playtime fun. Plus, it’s incredibly durable for long-lasting use with chew-happy pups.

Pros

• Strong, durable, non-toxic material
• Recyclable
• Dishwasher safe
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Higher price point
• As no toy is fully indestructible, excessively aggressive chewers still may be able to get through this one

Benefits of Chew Toys for Puppies

Chew toys will keep both puppies and puppy parents entertained, as there’s nothing cuter than observing a clumsy puppy explore a new toy! Puppies are like toddlers in that they get bored easily and need mental stimulation, as well as physical activity. If a puppy isn’t being entertained, they will look for something to do, which often ends up in mischievous or destructive behavior. Puppy chew toys engage your pet in their innate desires to chew, chase, fetch, and hunt. 

Puppy toys also encourage non-destructive chewing habits. “It teaches them early on that it is okay for them to chew certain objects, like designated puppy toys, and not other things like shoes, purses, etc.” says Dr. Douglas Mader, a veterinarian with Tropical Veterinary Services. “There are many different puppy toys on the market, and [they] should be matched to the puppy’s age and breed.” 

For example, a puppy toy designed for a small breed is very different from a large one, so they should not be interchanged. And different breeds will benefit from different types of puppy chew toys depending on if they are heavy chewers, chasers, or hunting dogs. 

Another benefit of chewing toys for puppies is they can be good for their dental hygiene. Many are made with flavored bristles that can scrape the plaque and tartar off, which can help avoid periodontal disease and also keep your pet’s breath fresh and clean.

Puppy Teething Toys

Puppy teething begins at 12-13 weeks old, when the deciduous (baby) teeth start to fall out and start being replaced by their permanent adult teeth. Just like human babies, puppies that are teething want to chew on things to help relieve their sore gums during this time. Puppy teething toys are designed specifically to alleviate this soreness. Most are made of soft, malleable rubber or material that can be frozen, which helps to numb the aching gums. 

By around 6 months, your pup should have most (if not all) of their adult teeth and will be ready for puppy chew toys, which are made from harder and more durable materials. Edible chews like bones and rawhides are also a great way to keep them busy. Just make sure to only give your dog the correct size chew and never leave them unsupervised while gnawing on it.  

Our Selection Process

There are hundreds – if not thousands – of pet toys on the market, and choosing the right ones can be intimidating. In addition to veterinarian recommendations, we based our decision on the following: 

Pet safety. Because we know you want chew toys that are safe in terms of size, material, and design, we looked into all things safety during our selection process.

Ease of use. For puppies, it doesn’t have to be complicated. We chose toys that can help  provide basic entertainment and enrichment for your furry little friend.

Customer reviews. Reading reviews is one of the best ways to see how a puppy chew toy holds up in real life, so we checked out the review section for each product to get a feel for what worked (and what didn’t).

Price. While it does make sense to invest in certain toys that your pup will use for a long time, you don’t want to break the bank buying tons of expensive puppy teething toys. With that in mind, we called out the toys on this list that are a great deal, as well as ones that are priced a little on the higher side.

Puppy Chew Toy Buyer’s Guide

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to shopping for puppy chew toys, we’re here to help! The following tips provide added insight into what to think about when selecting the best puppy toys for teething.

Provide options. Puppies, like children, teethe at different rates, which can lead to some unwanted chewing if they don’t have enough appropriate options available. That’s why Deanna Amoroso, Veterinary Technician at Jamaica Plain Animal Clinic in Boston, recommends having a variety of toys on hand to give them a choice of what to chew. “Keep an assortment of toys readily available to prevent boredom, which leads to puppies chewing on shoes, furniture, etc.!” she says. 

Think about size. It’s important to pick the appropriate toy for your breed as well as the right size. The best chew toys for teething puppies will typically come in multiple sizes and list the age, breed, or puppy size the toy is meant for, so be sure to check the descriptions before purchasing. “The size of the toy should directly correlate with how big the puppy is,” Amoroso explains. “For example, it is not recommended to give a larger puppy a smaller-sized toy (cat sized) they could potentially ingest, causing a foreign body.” 

Consider toys to keep your pup stimulated. According to Amoroso, toys that provide growing puppies with added enrichment can be an excellent option, such as puzzle toys or Kongs that you can fill with peanut butter or bland food, then freeze. “Treat balls are a great way to feed your puppy as well by inserting kibble inside and having them roll the ball to empty it,” she adds. “This will keep them busy for a while and acts as a great babysitter! Rawhides are great (supervised), but make sure they are plain, no additives.”

Puppy Chew Toy FAQs

How many chew toys does a puppy need? 

When it comes to chew toys for puppies, the more the better. When they’re awake, puppies need constant stimulation and will always find something to chew on. Have a variety and rotate them often.

When should you replace a puppy chew toy? 

Once your puppy starts to shred a toy, it’s time to replace it. Even though most puppy chew toys are non-toxic, they are still not meant to be ingested and could pose a choking risk.

What types of puppy chew toys should be avoided? 

While there are plenty of puppy chew toy options out there that are great for your little cutie, it’s important to also know which ones to stay away from, like natural bones that can be incredibly tough on the teeth. “Not only is this a danger to ingest in terms of a foreign body, but they also can fracture their larger premolar teeth, leading to tooth extraction,” says Amoroso.

“Any toys that can be broken down into small pieces (like some plastics, natural bones), toys that have small parts (like detachable eyes and noses), toys that contain metal (springs, bells, squeakers, buckles, etc.), toys that are filled with stuffing that can be eaten and swallowed, and toys with ribbons or string should be avoided at all costs,” Dr. Mader says. “If ingested, these can cause serious, potentially life-threatening injuries in the worst-case scenario, or potentially expensive veterinary visits and surgery in the best-case scenario.”