Toys for teething puppies

When does teething happen?

Puppies get their baby teeth early and lose them fast. VCA veterinarians describe a rough timeline, though every puppy is a little different.^[1]

• Around 3 to 6 weeks. Baby teeth start coming in at about three weeks, and all 28 are usually in by six weeks.^[1]
• Around 12 weeks to 6 months. The baby teeth start falling out at around 12 weeks as the adult teeth push through. This is the stretch most owners think of as teething.^[1],[2]
• By about 6 months. Normally all of the adult teeth are in and all of the baby teeth are gone by six months of age.^[1]

Don't worry if you never find the lost teeth. Puppies often swallow them, and that's harmless.^[1]

Why teething puppies chew everything

New teeth pushing through the gums are uncomfortable, and chewing seems to relieve some of that discomfort. Puppies also explore the world with their mouths, so chewing and mouthing are normal at this age.^[6],[3],[5]

The goal isn't to stop the chewing. It's to teach your puppy which things are theirs to chew.^[3]

Redirecting chewing and mouthing

• Swap, then praise. When you catch your puppy chewing something off-limits, take it away, hand over something they're allowed to chew, and praise them when they take it.^[3]
• Offer a toy instead of your hands. When your puppy tries to gnaw on fingers or toes, substitute a toy or chew.^[4]
• Play with toys, not hands. Choose games like fetch and tug-of-war over wrestling and rough play with your hands, and keep a tug toy handy to redirect mouthing.^[4]
• Keep it interesting. Rotate chew toys every couple of days so your puppy doesn't get bored with them.^[3]

What to look for in a teething toy

• Soft enough to bend. Soft rubber toys are often safer than hard toys for puppies, because very firm toys can injure or fracture teeth. Veterinary dentists put it simply: don't let your dog chew anything that won't bend.^[8],[1]
• Passes the thumbnail test. Press your thumbnail into the toy. If you can't leave a dent, it's too hard.^[6]
• Skip the hard stuff. Avoid nylon chews, bones, antlers, and hooves. They can break teeth.^[1],[7]
• Sized for right now. A good toy is too big to swallow or fit whole in the mouth, but small enough to chew comfortably. Puppies grow fast, so size up as they do.^[8],[5]
• Cold can help. Toys made to be frozen, or a frozen wet washcloth, may help numb sore gums. A stuffable rubber toy with a frozen filling works too.^[3]
• Plush and rope for supervised time. Squeakers and stuffing can be swallowed and cause a blockage, and rope toys shred into strands that can be swallowed or stuck in teeth. They're fine for play with you, then put them away.^[8]

Puppy-proofing and supervision

• Put temptations away. Keep shoes and clothes in closed closets, laundry in a hamper, and children's toys out of reach.^[3],[1]
• Watch whenever they're awake. Supervise your puppy during waking hours until you're confident their chewing is under control. No toy is 100% safe, so supervise even with recommended toys.^[3],[1]
• Confine when you can't watch. Use a crate or a small puppy-proofed room with appropriate toys, and keep those stretches to six hours at most.^[3]
• A couple of toys at a time. Offer one or two toys rather than a whole basket, so it's easier to notice missing pieces. Check toys often and throw out worn or damaged ones.^[8]

When to see the vet

A little blood during teething is normal. VCA vets say the amount is tiny, usually noticeable only as mild red staining on a chew toy.^[1]