7 Must-Have Chew Toys for Puppies

 Key Points

• Chew toys give puppies mental stimulation and encourage healthy behavior.

• Lasting chews boost emotional states and lower stress for pups.

• This article reviews several must-have chew toys for puppies that provide the best benefits for their individual needs.

Chew toys are essential for puppies because they help with teething, provide mental stimulation, and prevent destructive chewing behavior. They lower stress and advance positive emotional states while engaging your puppy.

As published in the journal Animals by Hannah Flint et al., "The long-lasting chew was found to improve emotional states in comparison to the other interventions tested, based on greater time spent engaged, lower ratings for stressed/anxious responses, and higher rating for positive and low-arousal emotion responses."

When selecting a chew toy for your new young friend, it's essential to consider factors such as durability, safety, and engagement. This article reviews must-have chew toys for puppies that provide the best benefits for their needs.

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03/13/2024 01:54 am GMT

Benebone Wishbone Chew Toy

The Benebone Wishbone Chew Toy is a perfect choice for puppies who love to chew — and almost all puppies do. This chew toy is made from durable nylon and withstands strong jaws. The wishbone shape allows for a comfortable grip and multiple chewing points. The toy is available in different sizes to suit various breeds and age groups.

Its flavored surface entices puppies to keep chewing, promoting healthy teeth and gums. The unique design and high-quality materials make the Benebone Wishbone Chew Toy a top pick for energetic chewers. These chews have an enticing bacon flavor and are suitable for aggressive chewers, but aren't recommended for puppies with weak or sensitive teeth.

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Chuckit! Ultra Ball

The Chuckit! Ultra Ball is a versatile chew toy for indoor and outdoor play. This ball is made from durable rubber and withstands rough play and bouncing on different surfaces. It comes in various sizes, including sizes ideal for small breeds. The contrasting colors make it highly visible to keep your puppy's interest.

The ball's buoyancy is perfect for water play, providing extra fun during hot summer days. With its durability, versatility, and engaging qualities, the Chuckit! Ultra Ball is a great addition to your puppy's toy collection. The ball may become too small for large breed puppies as they grow.

KONG Puppy Toy

The KONG Puppy Toy is a classic and trusted chew toy for puppies. It's made from durable rubber that withstands the chewing habits of teething puppies. The unique design includes a hollow center, allowing you to stuff it with treats or peanut butter, keeping your puppy engaged when you need to take a break.

The toy comes in different sizes, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your growing pup. The KONG Puppy Toy is an excellent choice for puppies who enjoy interactive play and mental stimulation. The stuffable Kong is useful during your dog's entire life. Some puppies may lose interest if treats or fillings aren't enticing enough.

Nylabone Puppy Chew Toy

The Nylabone Puppy Chew Toy is specifically designed for the teething needs of puppies. This toy is made from durable nylon, soothes the puppy's gums, and discourages destructive chewing habits. There are various shapes and sizes, allowing you to find the best match for your puppy's chewing preferences.

With different textures and flavors, such as chicken and bacon, the Nylabone Puppy Chew Toy ensures puppies stay engaged and promotes healthy oral hygiene. It's not suitable for puppies with aggressive chewing habits.

Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy

The Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy is perfect for puppies that enjoy mental stimulation and problem-solving. This interactive toy features a plush tree trunk with holes to hide squeaky squirrel toys. Puppies have to search and retrieve the squirrels, satisfying their natural instincts.

© BarkSpot Testing Lab.

The toy comes in different sizes, suitable for various breeds. Supervising puppies during playtime is vital to prevent them from chewing and ingesting the small squirrel toys. This toy requires supervision to prevent chewing and ingestion of small parts.

Petstages Cool Teething Stick

The Petstages Cool Teething Stick comforts and relieves teething puppies. It's made from a freezable gel that soothes sore gums. The stick has multiple textures to massage the gums and encourage healthy chewing habits.

The cool properties of the toy make it especially appealing to puppies during their teething phase. Always monitor your puppy to avoid prolonged freezing and prevent discomfort or damage to their teeth. Note that prolonged freezing may cause discomfort.

West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Bone

A hidden gem in the world of puppy chew toys is the West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Bone. This bone-shaped toy bounces and floats and is made from rigid, chew-resistant material, making it great for indoor and outdoor play. It's non-toxic, dishwasher-safe, and comes in three different sizes.

The West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Bone is often overlooked but deserves recognition for its durability and versatility. The bone is a safe alternative to wood sticks and is perfect for dogs who love to gnaw and play fetch. If the toy gets damaged, stop your puppy from using the toy immediately.

Longevity

When selecting chew toys for puppies, it's essential to consider their durability and longevity. Pet owners say the Benebone Wishbone Chew Toy and Chuckit! Ultra Ball are highly durable, with dogs enjoying them for extended periods without significantly damaging the toys.

Both toys are made from robust materials that resist the power of puppy chewing. The Nylabone Puppy Chew Toy is also known for its durability and ability to withstand teething puppies' strong jaws.

Enrichment

Puppies love their toys. They need toys that engage their minds and offer stimulation. The KONG Puppy Toy is particularly effective due to its unique design for filling with treats or peanut butter. This encourages puppies to work for rewards, keeping them mentally stimulated throughout playtime.

The Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy satisfies a puppy's innate hunting instincts, producing mental challenges and entertainment. Chewing on appropriate toys redirects destructive chewing behavior, preventing damage to your belongings.

Safety

Ensuring the safety of chew toys is paramount to preventing harm or injury to puppies. All the chew toys mentioned in this article are designed specifically for puppies and meet strict safety standards. Choose age and size-appropriate toys for your puppy.

Regularly inspect your puppy's toys for signs of wear and tear to prevent potential choking hazards. Avoid toys with small parts that are easily swallowed. Rotate chew toys to keep your puppy's interest level high and prevent boredom. Supervise your puppy while playing with chew toys and address aggressive chewing behaviors.

Always choose toys that are the appropriate size for your puppy to prevent accidental ingestion. Chew toys aren't only for teething puppies; they're essential for dental health maintenance throughout a dog's life.

Must-Haves for Pups

Providing puppies with suitable chew toys is essential for their development, dental health, and mental stimulation. In a March 2023 article, The New York Times reports one chew toy for dogs even provoked an argument in the U.S. Supreme Court.

With the chew toys presented here, your puppy enjoys hours of safe and engaging entertainment while maintaining oral health. Consider your puppy's individual preferences, chewing habits, and safety requirements when selecting the most suitable chew toys.

Supervise playtime and replace any damaged or worn-out toys promptly. The right chew toys provide enrichment that improves your pup's emotional well-being, setting them up for a lifetime of happy, balanced behavior.

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