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Best Dog Chew Toys for Mouthy Pups
If you’ve got a playful, mouthy pup who seems to think everything from your shoes to your sofa cushions is fair game for chomping, you’ve come to the right place. Dogs love to chew, it’s a behaviour built into them as a puppy. They chew when they’re teething, bored, or simply because something tastes nice or feels good against their gums! It’s why our dogs need the right dog chew toys to keep them entertained (and your furniture intact!)
Whether you’re looking for gentle puppy toys for chewing or nearly indestructible dog chew toys for even the most avid biters, we’ve got a fantastic range of dog toys for chewers here at WOOOF that will not only save your sanity, but also your pup’s teeth.
Why Do Our Dogs Chew?
Ah, the age-old question: why do dogs feel the need to turn everything into a chew toy? It might seem like your pup has developed a personal vendetta against your shoes, furniture, or even your fingers, but the truth is, chewing is completely natural for dogs. Especially when they’re young, chewing is a huge part of their development. Puppies are curious little explorers, using their mouths to investigate the world around them. If you've ever been a pup parent, you’ve probably left the house more than once with tiny scratches and bite marks on your arms, getting concerned glances from neighbours or strangers. Rest assured, this is all part of the puppy phase, and it will stop, we promise!
During this time, puppies are teething, just like human babies. Their little gums are sore, and chewing helps soothe the discomfort. So, when they latch onto your favourite slippers or, worse, your toes, it's not because they’re being naughty. They’re just doing what comes naturally. In fact, biting and mouthing are ways for puppies to learn how to control their bite force, a behaviour known as "bite inhibition." This is an important social skill that helps them interact safely with other dogs and humans. So, while it can be frustrating (and a little painful), know that it’s totally normal.
As dogs grow older, chewing continues to be important. Adult dogs chew to keep their jaws strong and their minds sharp. It’s also a great outlet for burning off energy, especially for high-energy breeds. Chewing is also a great stress-relief for our canine companions. Just how we might fidget or chew gum when we’re nervous, dogs often chew to calm themselves down. The key to keeping your pup, your furniture and your hands and feet safe is by distracting your dog with the right dog chew toys. Providing them with the best dog chew toys can help guide your dog's natural need to chew in a healthy, productive way, while also giving them hours of satisfying play!
Benefits of Dog Chew Toys
Besides saving your shoes (and probably your sanity), dog chew toys offer a ton of amazing benefits for both you and your furry friend. For starters, the best dog chew toys can provide hours of entertainment, helping to channel your pup's natural chewing instincts in a positive direction. Instead of gnawing on your furniture, shoes, or your favourite socks (and possibly swallowing some indigestible materials in the process), your pup will have a fun, safe outlet for all that chewing energy.
Dog chew toys also promote healthy teeth and gums. Chewing acts like a natural toothbrush for dogs, helping to scrape away plaque and prevent tartar buildup, which can lead to gum disease or bad breath. Regular chewing on durable toys can keep those pearly whites in tip-top shape, reducing the need for expensive dental cleanings down the road.
Finally, dog chew toys, especially dog toys for aggressive chewers, can be hugely beneficial for your dog’s mental and physical wellbeing. A bored dog is often a mischievous dog, so giving them something tough to chew on helps keep them out of trouble. Whether they’re chewing out of boredom, anxiety, or just for fun, having a stash of durable dog toys for chewers ensures your pup stays happy, focused, and less likely to turn your home into a personal chew zone.
Best Dog Chew Toys for Puppies
Every puppy parent has asked themselves at some point “how do I get my puppy to stop biting?” Our answer: a really good selection of puppy chew toys. We’re talking puppy puzzle toys, puppy toys for chewing and maybe an interactive puppy toy or two. These are toys designed with small mouths and delicate teeth in mind. Here are some of our top picks:
ZippyTuff Teether Puppy and Dog Chew Toy
Your adorable puppy deserves a dog chew toy just as cute as them. We recommend any of the ZippyTuff Teether Puppy and Dog Chew toys, although the elephant-shaped variant is a personal favourite of mine. It’s made from a flexible and durable TPR material that will help your pup chew those sore gums away. It’s not only great for chewing, but it’s also a good dog chew toy for tug of war thanks to the knotted rope on the opposite end.
Bamboodles Puppy Chews
Another great dog chew toy for puppies that we know will keep them busy and occupied for hours are the Bamboodles Puppy Chews. Made from the natural chicken strength of bamboo fibres and nylon, these long-lasting, super durable chew toys for puppies are perfect for those sharp and aggressive teeth. They are designed for puppies over ten weeks and have a tasty chicken scent so they’ll keep coming back for more.
KONG Puppy
An interactive puppy toy that works both as a dog chew toy and a puppy puzzle toy is the KONG Puppy. The natural rubber formula is KONG’s most gentle, so it’ll keep those puppy teeth nice, safe and satisfied. But it’s often what’s inside that counts! You can fill the KONG with several tasty treats such as small pieces of kibble, frozen peanut butter, yoghurt or pumpkin puree! It’ll occupy your little one while also satisfying their chewing needs. The material also bounces on hard floors, so after they’re done, it becomes one of the best puppy toys for boredom as you can play fetch across the house or outside!
Decagon Rubber Dog Chew Toy
Another multi-use dog chew toy for puppies is the Decagon Rubber Dog Chew Toy. They can chew it, chase it, tug-of-war with it and everything in between! It’s a fantastic interactive puppy toy to keep those sharp needle teeth entertained. It’s made from 100% natural rubber and comes in a range of modern pastel colours so you can match the dog chew toy to your home!
Best Dog Chew Toys for Adult Dogs
Even after those pesky puppy teeth have fled the nest, your pup’s love for chewing will still be going strong. But thankfully, by this point, they’re no longer teething, so instead of targeting your furniture and toes, they’ll have learned to chew their own dog chew toys simply for fun! At this stage, it's important to upgrade to tougher, more durable dog toys for chewers that can withstand their adult strength and enthusiasm. These toys will keep them entertained, help reduce boredom and continue supporting their dental health.
Plush and Rubber Toy Bundle for Dogs
Does your dog have a love of shredding soft toys? Yeah, ours too. One of the best dog chew toys for these pups is the Plush and Rubber Toy Bundle from ZeeDog. These multi-purpose dog chew toys include Mr Fresco, Mr X and Cyclops, three cute, cuddly and durable interactive dog toys that your pup will love. They have a super soft and fluffy outer layer but inside is a natural rubber core. So even after they’ve ripped the soft exterior to pieces, they’ll have a natural rubber dog chew toy to play with inside!
ID Gear Treat Holder Chew Toy for Dogs
A great puzzle dog chew toy is the ID Gear Treat Holder Chew Toy for Dogs. Not only is it ultra-durable and gear-shaped for reducing problem chewing, but it has a handy gap in the middle so you can fill it with your dog’s favourite treats. The dog chew toy can easily hold milk bones or Himalayan yak chews for a tasty, enrichment-filled snack. It’s another near indestructible dog toy that’s FDA compliant, non-toxic and biodegradable made from natural rubber.
"Brain Dead" Dog Chew Toy with Bacon Scent
Scented dog toys are super useful for our pups for a number of reasons (read more about that here!), so imagine a dog chew toy that’s not only durable but also smells great! That’s the "Brain Dead" Dog Chew Toy with Bacon Scent. The fun zombie-inspired dog chew toy is made from super resistant rubber and nylon and has a soft bacon scent that will keep your dog chewing, playing and teeth cleaning for hours.
Purple Butterfly Nylon Chew & Enrichment Dog Toy
Finally, we have one of the best dog chew toys for pups that deserve a treat and a chew! This Purple Butterfly Nylon Chew & Enrichment Dog Toy is cleverly designed with several bumps and crevices that not only satiate your pup’s gums but can also be filled in with tasty dog-friendly spreads like peanut butter and yoghurt. It’s both fun and rewarding, keeping their teeth happy and their mind sharp.
Dog Chew Toys for Strong Chewers
If you’ve got a large breed dog, or simply a pooch with some sharp teeth and a strong jaw, then you might need some dog chew toys for strong chewers. We’re talking near unbreakable dog toys that can withstand hours of gnawing, tugging, and chomping without falling apart. These durable dog chew toys are specifically designed for heavy-duty chewers, offering long-lasting entertainment while protecting your dog’s teeth and jaws. Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of them to offer too…
Ultra-Tough Treat Dispensing Can Dog Toy
While us humans treat ourselves to fizzy drinks, our pups deserve a fun treat-dispensing dog toy too. The Ultra-Tough Enrichment Treat Dispensing Can Dog Toy from SodaPup is a near indestructible dog toy for those super aggressive chewers. The all-black design is made from the company’s proprietary magnum compound that has a special additive for increased tear strength. The inside of the dog chew toy can also be stuffed with all their favourite treats, helping to keep their mind active as they work out how to release them.
Indestructibone - Pro Grade Dog Chew Toy
The Indestructibone didn’t get its name for no reason. This is one of the best dog chew toys for strong chewers on the market, made from a super resilient material that makes it perfect for dogs that go hard on their chew toys. It has a small treat hole on each end too, which can be filled with your pup’s favourite food for added fun and enrichment. Don’t believe this to be one of the best dog toys for chewers? Bullet Proof Pet Products offer a 90 replacement guarantee if your dog manages to chew it down to 7 inches or less within 90 days!
USA-K9 Stars and Stripes All in One Ultra-Durable Dog Toy
Another one of our near indestructible dog chew toys is this USA-K9 Stars and Stripes All in One Ultra-Durable Dog Toy. It’s perfect for large dogs and aggressive chewers, featuring a large and super durable ball on one end and a rope on the other. Your pup will love playing tug of war and fetch with this one. And when they’re resting, they’ll use the clever ridges on the ball to clean their teeth.
Honey Dipper Shaped Nylon Chew Bone
Last but certainly not least, we can’t leave without forgetting another fantastic unbreakable dog chew toy from SodaPup. This one is called the Honey Dipper Shaped Nylon Chew Bone for Dogs. Yes, it’s just as delicious as it sounds. Cleverly shaped like a honey dipper, this dog chew toy is made from ultra strong nylon so it can withstand even the most aggressive chewers. It will keep your pup entertained, reduce problem chewing, separation anxiety and even give them better smelling breath!
Conclusion
So there you have it, some of the best dog chew toys out there. Hopefully you now feel confident in knowing that chewing is a completely normal and natural behaviour for both puppies and adult dogs. Whether it’s teething, exploring their world, or just burning off some energy, dogs chew as a way to relieve discomfort, reduce stress, and keep their jaws strong. While it can be frustrating when your pup targets your shoes or furniture, providing them with the right dog chew toys is essential for guiding their chewing habits in a healthy and non-destructive direction.
Here at WOOOF, we offer a wide selection of the best chew toys to fit every pup’s needs, from nearly indestructible dog toys for aggressive chewers to soft, soothing chew toys for teething puppies and everything in between. We've got your back (and your pup's teeth!) covered!
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When do puppies start teething?
Puppies can start teething pretty early, usually around the 3 or 4 weeks old mark. It’s here they’ll start to grow their first set of baby teeth. But the real fun starts between 3 to 6 months when they begin losing their baby teeth and their adult teeth come in. This phase can be a little chaotic because puppies often turn into tiny landsharks during teething! You’ll probably notice more chewing, biting, and general mouthiness as their gums get sore. It’s totally normal, so don’t panic if your pup suddenly starts gnawing on everything in sight. Just make sure you have plenty of dog chew toys to help them through this stage.
How long does puppy teething last?
The puppy teething phase feels like it lasts a lifetime, but we promise it’ll be over soon! It usually wraps up by the time your pup is around 6 to 8 months old. That’s when all their adult teeth should have come in (all 42 of them!). Some breeds or individual pups may take a little longer to finish, but by their first birthday, most dogs are done with teething. In the meantime, giving them safe, soft dog chew toys specifically designed for teething puppies can help soothe their sore gums and save your furniture.
Can chewing help clean my dog’s teeth?
Absolutely! Chewing isn’t just fun for your dog but it’s great for their dental health too. When your dog chews on the right toys, it acts like a natural toothbrush. Chewing helps scrape off plaque and tartar, which can prevent gum disease and bad breath. Of course, regular vet check-ups and proper dental cleanings are still important, but dog chew toys can definitely give their teeth a good workout in between.
What should I do if my dog is destroying all their toys?
If your dog tends to turn their toys into confetti within five minutes, you’re dealing with a power chewer. This is a pup that needs some durable dog chew toys. Look for "indestructible" dog toys or heavy-duty dog chew toys made for aggressive chewers. These toys are made from tough materials like rubber, nylon, or reinforced fabric, designed to withstand all that chomping. Avoid soft plush toys or anything with small parts that could easily be ripped off and swallowed.
