Sometimes it feels like nothing can soothe a teething puppy, but there are numerous chew toys on the market that can make this transition a little easier. The trick is finding a toy to which your puppy responds favorably, and unfortunately this can mean bringing home lots of duds.
The best chew toys for a teething puppy are those that are small and soft. If you use a hard chew toy you risk damaging your puppy’s gums and making the pain more acute. Following are some of the best suggestions.
1- Kong Toys
You’ve probably heard of Kong toys by now, which are rubber toys in several sizes and shapes. They now have a Puppy Kong Teething Stick, made from a special formula, that you can line with Stuff’N to keep your puppy occupied and teething normally.
You can find Kong toys for teething puppies at PetsMart, Petco and a host of other pet stores across the country. Single chew toys cost about $4.99 and can often be purchased online.
2- Petstages Orka Stick
Some of the best chew toys for a teething puppy are long and cylindrical, which makes them easy to grab in small mouths. The Petstages Orka Stick is one example: seven inches long and a little over one inch in diameter.
The Orka Stick has the perfect texture to soothe a teething puppy, and can double as a fetching toy if your puppy likes to chase after sticks. This chew toy costs about $10 and will also help improve overall dental health for your puppy.
3- Petstages Orka Bone Chew Toy
Another option for chew toys for your teething puppy is the Bone Chew Toy from Petstages. This is similar to the Orka stick in that it is made from “non-toxic synthetic rubber,” but it is larger and shaped like a dog bone.
The Orka Bone Chew Toy comes in two sizes – mini and medium – so you can select the appropriate product for your puppy. It won’t get lost as easily because of its shape, and it costs between $6 and $10 depending on the size you choose.
4- Nylabone Puppy Teething Pacifier
If you are looking for cute chew toys for a teething puppy, this one takes the cake. It is shaped like a teething ring for a baby and includes two separate chew toys attached to the ring. It has a pleasant flavor your puppy will like and costs only $6 at Amazon.com.
5- Ruff Puppy Teethers
Ruff Puppy Teethers cost only $4.50 each, and are designed specifically to help your teething puppy get more comfortable. They come in several shapes, sizes and colors, and are designed to “massage sensitive gums.”
There are lots of other chew toys for your teething puppy on the market, and you might have to try several in order to find the right one. If your puppy seems to be having a particularly difficult time cutting teeth, you might put any one of these toys in the fridge or freezer to cool them down, which will help desensitize your puppy’s sore gums.
