If you’ve recently brought home a puppy, you’ve probably already discovered one important fact:

Puppies chew. A lot.

Shoes, furniture, table legs, blankets, fingers — during teething, almost everything can become a chew target.

While it may seem frustrating at times, chewing is actually one of the most natural and important behaviors for growing puppies. The key is giving them safe, durable, and engaging chew toys that help soothe teething discomfort while encouraging healthy chewing habits.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Why puppies chew so much
• When teething starts and ends
• What makes a good puppy chew toy
• The best types of chew toys for teething puppies
• Which toys to avoid
• How chew toys help with training and behavior
• Why many puppy owners choose durable chew toys like Chew’ems

Why Puppies Chew During Teething

Just like human babies, puppies experience discomfort when their adult teeth begin coming in.

Most puppies begin teething around:

• 3–4 months old

And continue until:

• 6–7 months old

During this phase, puppies chew to:

• Relieve gum discomfort
• Loosen baby teeth
• Explore their environment
• Reduce stress
• Burn mental energy
• Satisfy natural instincts

Chewing is completely normal — and actually healthy when redirected appropriately.

If you’re wondering whether your puppy’s chewing is excessive, read:
Is All This Chewing Normal?

Why the Right Puppy Chew Toy Matters

Not all chew toys are good for teething puppies.

A poor-quality chew toy may:

• Break apart too easily
• Become a choking hazard
• Be too hard for developing teeth
• Lose your puppy’s interest quickly

The best puppy chew toys should:
✅ Be durable but not rock-hard
✅ Provide gentle chewing resistance
✅ Help soothe sore gums
✅ Encourage healthy chewing habits
✅ Keep puppies mentally engaged
✅ Reduce destructive chewing around the house

For many puppy owners, chew toys quickly become one of the most important tools for surviving the teething stage.

Signs Your Puppy Is Teething

Common signs include:

• Increased chewing
• Mild gum redness
• Drooling
• Chewing furniture or household objects
• Irritability
• Small spots of blood on toys
• Increased biting or mouthing

Teething puppies are often looking for relief constantly, which is why appropriate chew toys are so important.

What Makes a Great Puppy Chew Toy?

The best puppy chew toys combine:

• Safety
• Durability
• Texture
• Engagement
• Appropriate resistance

Puppies often lose interest in toys that are:

• too soft
• too hard
• flavorless
• easy to destroy

That’s why enrichment-focused chew toys tend to perform best.

Many puppies especially enjoy toys with:

• texture variation
• flavor infusion
• ergonomic shapes
• interactive chewing surfaces

Best Types of Chew Toys for Teething Puppies

1. Durable Nylon Puppy Chews

Durable nylon chew toys are popular because they:

• Last longer
• Resist aggressive puppy chewing
• Provide satisfying resistance
• Help redirect destructive behavior

The key is choosing puppy-specific options that aren’t overly hard.

Many puppy owners transition into stronger chew toys as adult teeth develop.

2. Textured Chew Toys

Texture matters more than many owners realize.

Textured chew toys help:

• Massage sore gums
• Increase chewing engagement
• Keep puppies interested longer

Sensory stimulation can dramatically improve how long puppies stay engaged with a toy.

You can learn more about sensory-style toys here:
Crinkly Rubber Dog Toys: Why Dogs Love Them

3. Freezable Puppy Toys

Cold chew toys can help soothe sore gums during intense teething periods.

Popular options include:

• frozen rubber toys
• frozen washcloths
• frozen treat toys

Some owners also freeze:

• peanut butter
• broth
• yogurt treats

inside enrichment toys for longer-lasting engagement.

4. Enrichment Chew Toys

Puppies need mental stimulation just as much as physical exercise.

Enrichment chew toys help:

• reduce boredom
• encourage calm behavior
• prevent destructive chewing
• improve crate training
• support independent play

This becomes especially helpful for:

• apartment puppies
• high-energy breeds
• work-from-home owners

For more enrichment ideas, read:
How to Keep Your Dog Entertained While Working From Home

5. Hemp-Infused Puppy Chew Toys

Some modern chew toys now include wellness-focused features like hemp seed oil infusion.

These toys are designed to:

• encourage longer engagement
• support calming routines
• create more satisfying chewing experiences

Many puppy owners use hemp-infused toys during:

• crate training
• quiet time
• evening wind-down routines
• teething phases

Learn more here:
Hemp Chew Toys for Dogs

And explore the wellness benefits of:
Hemp Seed Oil for Dogs

Chew Toys Help Prevent Destructive Puppy Behavior

One of the biggest mistakes puppy owners make is waiting too long to redirect chewing.

Without appropriate outlets, puppies often target:

• shoes
• furniture
• baseboards
• rugs
• pillows
• electrical cords

Providing durable chew toys early helps puppies learn:
“What IS okay to chew.”

That’s why chew toys are not just entertainment — they’re training tools.

 

Are Puppy Chew Toys Good for Crate Training?

Absolutely.

Many trainers recommend chew toys during crate training because chewing helps puppies:

• relax
• stay occupied
• reduce anxiety
• build positive crate associations

Long-lasting chew toys are especially helpful for:

• bedtime routines
• nap time
• separation training
• calming overstimulated puppies

What Puppy Chew Toys Should You Avoid?

Not every toy marketed for puppies is actually safe.

Avoid:
🚫 Toys that splinter easily
🚫 Extremely hard bones
🚫 Small pieces that break off
🚫 Toys with loose fabric strings
🚫 Cheap plastic toys
🚫 Toys that are too small for your puppy’s size

Always supervise young puppies during chewing sessions.

Why Many Puppy Owners Choose Chew’ems

Chew’ems products are designed for dogs that love to chew — including growing puppies learning healthy chewing habits.

Many puppy owners choose Chew’ems because the toys are:

• durable
• long-lasting
• non-splintering
• flavor-infused
• designed for chewing engagement

Chew’ems products can help:

• reduce boredom
• redirect destructive chewing
• support teething puppies
• encourage calm indoor activity
• provide healthy chewing outlets

Learn more here:
What Are Chew’ems Dog Chew Toys?

You can also explore:
Why Dog Toys Made in the USA Matter

Best Puppy Breeds for Durable Chew Toys

Some puppies chew much more aggressively than others.

Breeds often known for intense chewing include:

• Labrador Retrievers
• German Shepherds
• Pit Bulls
• Boxers
• Huskies
• Golden Retrievers
• Cane Corsos
• Belgian Malinois

These breeds often benefit from more durable puppy chew options earlier.

Final Thoughts: The Best Puppy Chew Toys Help Build Healthy Habits

Teething can be a chaotic stage for puppies and owners alike.

But chewing itself isn’t the problem.

In fact, healthy chewing is essential for:

• development
• enrichment
• stress relief
• mental stimulation
• training

The key is giving your puppy safe, durable, engaging chew toys that redirect those instincts appropriately.

Because the best puppy chew toys don’t just protect your furniture.

They help create calmer, healthier, happier dogs for years to come.