If your puppy is chewing everything in sight — your shoes, your furniture, your hands — you're not alone. Chewing is completely normal puppy behaviour, especially during teething. The solution isn't to stop them from chewing; it's to give them something appropriate to chew on.
In this guide, we'll cover what makes a great puppy chew toy and share our top Amazon recommendation.
Why Puppies Chew So Much
- Teething — puppies lose their baby teeth between 3–6 months. Chewing relieves the discomfort.
- Exploration — puppies learn about the world through their mouths.
- Boredom — an under-stimulated puppy will find their own entertainment (usually your belongings).
- Anxiety relief — chewing is self-soothing for stressed or anxious puppies.
What to Look for in a Puppy Chew Toy
1. Age & Size Appropriate
Choose toys labelled for puppies and sized for your breed. A toy too small is a choking hazard; too large and your puppy won't be able to chew it properly.
2. Safe Materials
Stick to natural rubber, nylon, or rope toys. Avoid toys with small parts that can break off and be swallowed, and steer clear of hard plastic that can crack and splinter.
3. Durability
Puppies are surprisingly destructive. Look for toys rated for moderate to heavy chewers, even if your puppy seems gentle now.
4. Texture Variety
Different textures soothe different parts of the mouth. A mix of rubber, rope, and textured nylon covers all bases during teething.
5. Fillable Options
Toys that can be stuffed with treats or frozen with peanut butter (xylitol-free) keep puppies engaged for longer and provide mental stimulation.
🐾 Our Top Amazon Pick: Puppy Chew Toys
Cooling Dog Toy
👉 Check out Puppy Chew Toy Set on Amazon →
We may earn a small commission if you purchase through this link, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely trust.
This set includes a variety of textures — natural rubber, rope, and nylon — all sized for puppies, free from harmful chemicals, and durable enough for enthusiastic chewers.
How to Redirect Chewing to Appropriate Toys
- Catch them in the act — calmly say "no" and immediately offer an appropriate chew toy.
- Praise the swap — when they take the toy, reward with treats and enthusiasm.
- Rotate toys — keep a selection and rotate them every few days to maintain novelty.
- Freeze for extra relief — frozen rubber toys or wet rope toys soothe inflamed teething gums.
- Puppy-proof your space — remove tempting items from reach while your puppy is learning.
📚 New Puppy? These Guides Will Help
- 🚫 How to Stop Puppy Biting — Gentle, effective strategies to teach your puppy bite inhibition and redirect chewing behaviour.
- 🐶 Gentle Puppy Training Workbook — Step-by-step exercises including chew toy introduction and redirection techniques.
- ⚡ Life With a High-Energy Puppy — If your puppy's chewing is driven by excess energy, this guide has practical solutions.
- 📋 Life With Your New Puppy: The First 30 Days Guide — Everything you need to navigate the first month, including teething and chewing stages.
Each guide is an instant PDF download — ready to read within minutes. 🐾
Final Thoughts
Chewing is a natural, healthy puppy behaviour — your job is simply to redirect it to the right outlets. Stock up on a variety of safe, durable chew toys and your furniture (and fingers!) will thank you.
👉 Shop Puppy Chew Toys on Amazon →
What's your puppy's favourite chew toy? Share in the comments! 🐶