Puppy Teething Toys (2026): Soft, Safe, Sized Right

Everything in reach gets chewed while a puppy's adult teeth come in. When that phase ends, what to give a sore-mouthed puppy, what to skip and how to puppy-proof all come from the ASPCA, Cornell and VCA and the makers' own guidance.

How we chose: we did not test these toys; we read the makers' age and size guidance and what the ASPCA, Cornell and VCA say about chews, and gave cards only to toys sold by Amazon.com or the brand's own store on September 28, 2026.

Four puppy toys at a glance

Prices are Amazon's, as of the time shown, and subject to change. Details

KONG's Puppy toys are the other obvious pick, and we say more about them below; every KONG listing we found on Amazon was sold by a third-party seller, so KONG has no card here.

When teething starts, and when it ends

The ASPCA's page on destructive chewing puts it simply: "Much like human infants, puppies go through a stage when they lose their baby teeth and experience pain as their adult teeth come in. This intensified chewing phase usually ends by six months of age."

Toy makers give similar timelines. Nylabone's use guidelines say that "on average, puppies fully transition to adult teeth from six to eight months of age, depending on breed and size." KONG's FAQ makes its softest rubber for puppies under 9 months.

Chewing does not stop when the adult teeth are in. The ASPCA's position on dog chews says "virtually all puppies chew objects as they explore the world with their mouths and while they are teething, presumably to relieve discomfort in their gums," and that adult dogs chew too, when bored or restless. Teething is simply the months when it is most intense and most likely to land on your shoes.

What to give a teething puppy

Something cold. The ASPCA says "some recommend giving puppies ice cubes, special dog toys that can be frozen or frozen wet washcloths to chew, which might help numb teething pain."

Of those three, the freezable toy is the easy one. The Nylabone Puppy Chew listing calls its ring freezer-friendly, and the Pupstages Cool Teething Stick is made to be soaked in water and frozen. A frozen stuffed KONG works too: KONG says freezing one "for a few hours makes it last longer."

Go easy on the ice cubes. VCA's chew toy guide lists "large ice cubes" with bones, cow hooves and pig ears as toys "too hard" that "can chip and even fracture your dog's teeth." A small chip of ice or a frozen washcloth is gentler than a big cube.

Something soft. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center says that "most veterinary dentists go by the 'thumbnail test' for chewing items," meaning "you should be able to make a dent in the item with your fingernail."

VCA agrees, and adds that long toys "should have a little give, so that you can bend them between your hands." Baby teeth are small and sharp, and the jaw behind them is still growing, which is why KONG and Nylabone both make softer puppy lines.

Something the right size. VCA says a toy "should never be so small as to easily fit entirely in your dog's mouth, as this makes it more likely to be a choking danger." KONG sizes its puppy toys by weight, and Nylabone says non-edible chews "should be large enough to encourage chewing from the side rather than top and bottom."

Lots of them, in rotation. The ASPCA suggests you "introduce something new or rotate your dog's chew toys every couple of days so that he doesn't get bored with the same old toys."

The puppy lines from KONG and Nylabone

KONG's FAQ is the clearest maker guidance we found. Its Puppy toys come in "baby pink and baby blue" and are "a great choice for Puppies that are under 9 months old."

KONG makes that rubber softer because "a puppy's teeth can be very sensitive and in order to avoid puppy teeth falling out prematurely we made this rubber softer." Once "a puppy has its canines fully grown in," KONG suggests the red Classic for average chewers or the black Extreme for power chewers. Our KONG vs Nylabone comparison covers the adult lines and size charts.

Nylabone's Puppy Chew line is its answer. The X-Small teething ring on this page is "specially made in soft material for teething puppies with gentle chewing styles," per the listing, for puppies up to 15 lb, and "not intended for powerful puppies or puppies with adult teeth."

Nylabone's guidelines add a warning worth reading twice: "some young puppies are powerful chewers even with their puppy teeth." Watch the first few sessions. If your puppy is tearing pieces off, take it away.

Nylabone also sells puppy starter kits that step up to "the tougher material for puppies with adult teeth." For a strong chewer after teething, go back to the thumbnail test before you buy the tougher option; our safe chew toy guide explains why Tufts and VCA put hard nylon on their avoid lists.

Rope, fabric and fetch toys

Not every puppy toy is a chew. Rope and fabric toys are fine for play with you, and are worth putting away afterward.

The Mammoth Flossy Chews Mini is a 10 in knotted rope for dogs under 15 lb, per the listing, and Mammoth sells longer ropes for bigger puppies, such as the Medium 20 in for 30 to 50 lb.

The risk with rope is the strands. VCA's rule: "If stuffing is showing, rope is frayed or rubber is broken, it's time to retire that toy to prevent broken bits from being swallowed."

The same goes for the Pupstages stick's fabric and fringe; its listing says, "Do not leave toys with unsupervised pets. Remove and replace if damaged."

The Chuckit! Ultra Ball is for fetch. Chuckit says plainly that the balls are "not intended for chewing," and that owners should "always choose a size larger to prevent swallowing." The Small is 2 in across, for dogs up to 20 lb, so a puppy heading past that weight needs the Medium.

VCA adds that tennis balls' abrasive surface can wear teeth down over time, one reason to prefer a rubber ball for a dog that carries its ball everywhere.

Pro tip: keep a toy in your pocket. When the puppy mouths your hand or grabs a sleeve, swap in the toy and praise it for chewing that instead. The ASPCA says "gentle guidance can teach your puppy to restrict chewing to appropriate objects, like his own toys."

What to skip while the baby teeth are in

• Antlers, hooves and bones. Cornell says to avoid "antlers, hooves and bones, which may break a tooth, or splinter and cause stomach problems." The ASPCA's own chewing page warns against cooked bones "like leftover t-bones or chicken wings, as these can splinter and seriously injure your dog."
• Hard nylon. Benebone, whose puppy chews were sold by Amazon.com, says on its nylon safety page that its chews "are made of nylon, which is a hard substance," that its "puppy product line is just a tad softer than our adult products," and that its puppy products "need to be monitored very closely." We left Benebone without a card for that reason.
• Your old things. The ASPCA says not to confuse a puppy by "offering unwanted household items, like old shoes and discarded cushions." An old sneaker teaches the puppy that sneakers are toys.

Puppy-proofing and supervision

A toy only works if the puppy can reach it before it reaches your things. The ASPCA's advice:

• "'Dog-proof' your house. Put valuable objects away until you're confident that your dog's chewing behavior is restricted to appropriate items."
• "Do your best to supervise your dog during all waking hours until you feel confident that his chewing behavior is under control."
• When you cannot watch, confine the puppy to a safe area with its toys. A crate or a room behind a baby gate does the job.

Both toy makers ask for the same watchfulness. KONG recommends "supervising your pet whenever they are playing with any non-edible toy or object," and Nylabone says to "ALWAYS SUPERVISE your puppy to ensure he/she cannot bite off large pieces." The ASPCA's chew position says to "immediately consult a veterinarian if their pet consumes a chunk of chew material."

The adult teeth are worth a look too. The AVMA's dental care page lists "extra teeth or retained baby teeth" and "broken or loose teeth" among the reasons to have a pet's teeth checked sooner.

If a baby tooth is still in place next to its adult replacement, or your puppy stops eating or drools more than usual, ask your vet. This page is general information, not veterinary advice (more on that).

For the rest of what a new puppy needs, see our new puppy checklist; for food puzzles that also soak up chewing time, our dog puzzle toy guide has a section on puppies.

Seller and recall check

On September 28, 2026, every KONG Puppy listing we found on Amazon was sold by Pattern Products, a third-party seller, not by Amazon.com or a KONG store; buy KONG from the maker or a retailer you trust. Some Nylabone Puppy Chew toys were sold by a third-party store called Paws to Tails; the one on this page is sold by Amazon.com.

We found no CPSC recall of Nylabone, Mammoth, Chuckit or KONG dog toys in the CPSC recall database, and none of these brands appears on our pet product recall page as of September 28, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Nylabones safe for puppies?

Nylabone's Puppy Chew line is made in a soft material for puppies with baby teeth, per its listings, and is not meant for puppies with adult teeth. Use the thumbnail test on any chew, supervise, and replace it when the ends wear down.

How do I clean a rubber chew toy?

In the dishwasher or the sink. KONG's FAQ says its rubber toys are top-rack dishwasher safe (skip the heated dry), or can be washed with warm water, soap and a bottle brush, and advises against bleach or other chemicals because natural rubber absorbs liquids.

Are rope toys safe for teething puppies?

For supervised play, yes, in a size meant for your puppy's weight. VCA says to retire a rope toy once it frays so the puppy does not swallow the strands.

---

PetProofLab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Ages, sizes and guidance are the makers' own, from their sites and listings. This page is general information and not veterinary advice.