Exercise and play
What toys are safe for a teething puppy?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Soft rubber teething toys, some designed to be chilled in the fridge for extra gum relief, and appropriately sized rope toys for supervised play work well for most teething puppies. Very hard materials like antlers or real bones can risk cracking baby teeth and are usually better saved for after the adult teeth come in.
Why softer is better during teething
A puppy's baby teeth and developing jaw are more fragile than an adult dog's, so very hard chews that would be fine for a grown dog can crack a puppy tooth or cause discomfort during this stage.
Cooling for extra relief
Soft rubber teething toys designed to be chilled in the fridge, not frozen solid, can soothe sore gums during the peak teething period, usually between 3 and 6 months, similar to how a cold object soothes a teething human baby.
What to hold off on
Very hard chews such as antlers, cow hooves, or real bones are generally better introduced once the adult teeth are fully in, usually by 7 months, to reduce the risk of chipping a baby tooth on something that does not give at all.
Key takeaways
- Soft rubber teething toys are gentler on a puppy's developing teeth than very hard chews.
- Chilling, not freezing, a teething toy can soothe sore gums during peak teething months.
- Very hard chews are generally safer to introduce once the adult teeth are fully in.