Pet companies are not bound by regulations for ensuring chew toys for teething puppies are safe. That means you, as a puppy parent, must make the best choice possible.
When looking for the best dog chew toys for teething puppies, it’s important to consider the quality (what is it made of?), strength (will it withstand your puppy’s constant chewing?) and functionality (is it appropriate for puppies?)
That is a big responsibility! This post is designed to ease that burden.
You can shop for perfect, top-quality chew toys directly from this site and know that the toys have stood the test of time.
We all want to save money, but when it comes to the health and safety of your puppy, choosing wisely is the most important thing.
The Value of Good Oral Hygiene in Dogs
Periodontal disease is the most common oral disease in dogs with up to 80% of animals affected by the age of 3 years.
Berryhill, 2005. International Journal of Science, Environment and Technology, Vol.5, No 3, 2016, 1410-1412
In 2016, the International Journal of Science, Environment and Technology published an abstract that revealed just how much dog owners know about dog oral hygiene.
Out of 26 dogs diagnosed with periodontal disease, only 11 dog owners brushed their dog’s teeth on a weekly basis. Eight (8) dog owners brushed their dog’s teeth every two weeks, and seven (7) only brushed occasionally.
Do You Know How Dog Dental Diseases Start?
Puppy’s begin to accumulate calculus on their teeth as soon as their adult teeth have come through.
The current recommendation is that a dog’s teeth get brushed a minimum of three times per week.
In addition, it’s important to supplement appropriate brushing with things like treats that substitute as Dental Products, and products designed to mechanically (through chewing) control plaque and/or calculus deposits.
How to Get it Right From Day One
To avoid periodontal disease in dogs, get your puppy used to brushing as soon as possible.
Be gentle and use a soft toothbrush formulated for puppies like the Arm & Hammer Dog Dental Kit
Learn more and read 5 Reasons Why Your Dog’s Dental Care is Vitally Important.
The Ultimate Chew Toys for Teething Puppies Kit
First time dog owners how difficult the first night can be. In fact, the crying and whining can go on for several nights.
The ingenious idea is to have a warm “heartbeat” next to your little puppy at night and the Snuggle Puppy Kit does that and more.
The Snuggle Puppy kit comes with a “beating” heart, a stuffed toy, a blanket, heating pads, a chew ring that can be filled with water and frozen, and a chew rope play toy.
As perfect as the Snuggle Puppy Kit is, it’s also pricey. Luckily, you can pick and choose the products you want if the entire kit is too much for the budget.
There’s another way to get around the price. Check out the 3-Part Hack below!
Here is Your 3-Part Hack for Less Expensive Chew Toys
Although the Snuggle Puppy Starter Kit offers the perfect chew toys for teething puppies, it might be too pricey for your budget. If that’s the case, consider buying the following items separately for big savings:
1. Microwaveable Plush Toy
A plush toy therapeutic wrap retains heat for hours and provides a soothing experience for new puppies. Just pop it in the microwave for a couple of minutes and place inside your puppy’s crate. Add a few chew toys for teething puppies and you’re new little love will sleep the whole night.
Be careful not to overheat the toy. Wrap it around your neck when it comes out of the microwave. If it feels too hot for your skin, let it cool for a minute before placing it in your puppy’s crate.
2. Ticking Clock for Puppy
Buy a small ticking clock and place it under the microwaveable plush toy. The tick-tock sound mimics the mother’s heartbeat. Make sure the clock doesn’t have small parts that your new puppy could chew off.
This one is a little tricky. Look for a clock that has a screwed in back for the battery. If the clock isn’t sturdy enough, the battery could come out in the night and into your puppy’s mouth.
Chew toys for teething puppies should always be safe in addition to being inexpensive.
3. Buy One Good Quality Puppy Chew Toy
Your new puppy will be more concerned about being without his mother and siblings the first night than teething. Save the chew toys for teething puppies for a few weeks later.
A top quality chew toy like Nylabone Puppy (see below) is all you need for the first few weeks.
Total Approximate Saving from Hack
Buying items separately is usually a little more expensive than buying them from a kit like the Snuggle Puppy starter kit. However, a few savvy choices might save you a little money.
Snuggle Puppy Kit Price
This kit, when not on sale, could cost you anywhere from $70 to $80 before tax.
Items Purchased Separately
In this case, the total cost of items purchased separately would cost you approximately $40 before tax.
Approximate Savings: $30 – $40
Consider this before buying separately…
Sticking to the budget is important, but so is buying safe chew toys for puppies that you can count on.
If you decide to purchase items separately, remember to watch for:
- Small pieces that could come loose or break off
- Non-toxic paint or coatings
- Stuffed toys that do not have button eyes or other sewn on pieces
More Ideas for Safe Puppy Toys
KONG Puppy, Medium (2 pack)
KONG toys are a good staple to have on hand for any sized puppy. It’s important to move up a size or two as your puppy grows. Smaller toys for larger mouths can result in choking.
Nylabone Power Chew Toys for Puppies
Puppies Key Ring
Nylabone offers the best set of extra small teething key rings at the best price. They’re safe, non-toxic, and won’t break when used as instructed.
Puppy Dog Toothbrush
The best time to start brushing your dog’s teeth are when the first adult teeth come in.
Clean teeth mean less tartar and plaque. Over time, that accumulation of plaque can cause gum disease, infection, abscesses, and pain.
Getting in the habit of keeping your puppy’s teeth clean will cross-over into the adult years. It’s never too late to start a tooth brushing regime with your dog, but the younger you start, the better.
Use good quality dog toys like the Dog Toothbrush Stick and Treat Ball shown in the image below.
Get Your Puppy Used to Chew Toys with Peanut Butter
Using a little bit of peanut butter on a chew toy is a great way to get him/her used to the sensation. Once the peanut butter wears off, chew toys like the dog toothbrush stick (above) work more like a toothbrush for your puppy.
Rope Toys for Puppy Dogs
Otterly offers a variety of colorful, textured rope toys designed for the delicate mouths of puppies.
Redirect biting behavior to the puppy’s ropes and toys. Any suitable toy can be used to engage your puppy in playtime.
Be careful when engaging your puppy in rope toy play. Older dogs can withstand the pull and tug of a rope toy. Puppies, however, need gentle care.
Tender Gums Need Special Care
Puppy teething is the same as baby teething. Those tender little gums become painful and tender to the touch. The natural instinct is to want to bite and chew and the last thing you want is to let your new puppy chew on your shoes.
Save rough games like Tug of War for when their adult teeth come in. All dogs love a good game of fetch, just make sure the toys their chomping into are designed for young puppies.
Play Safe Puppy
At the end of the day, we want our puppies to develop like any other normal, healthy puppy. Watching for signs of wear and tear is the best preventative thing you can do to protect your puppy from trouble.
It’s important to toss out any pet toys that show signs of wear and tear before he/she accidentally swallows a piece. The best case scenario is that the toy bits work their way through the puppy’s digestive system. The worst case scenario is choking or bowel obstruction.
Do your puppy a favor and buy the best quality chew toys you can find. It’s better to buy fewer toys that cost twice as much than a basket full of potentially harmful “cheap” toys.
Before you go…
Read: 7 Must-Have Items for Puppy’s First Night at Home
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