The 13 Best Puppy-Safe Chew Toys that Will Save Your Shoes

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• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

When they’re not sleeping or snuggling, puppies are chewing. That’s why giving them an assortment of chew toys can prevent pups from finding their own gnawing entertainment—usually among your possessions.

The best puppy chew toys satisfy your dog’s natural instinct to chew while providing a safe and appropriate outlet. They should also be made from high-quality materials sized appropriately for puppies. Most importantly, chew toys should incorporate a variety of textures to stimulate your puppy’s senses while still remaining dense enough that they won’t crack or break easily.

We know from experience how tricky it can be to find the right chew toy for your pup, so we put together a list of our favorite puppy chew toys for different ages, stages, breeds, and needs.

Pet Parent Tip: Supervise your dog whenever they are engaging with a toy, especially if it’s their first time playing with it. Eager and excitable dogs and puppies who use their mouths to explore may be at risk for ingestion.

Best Overall Chew Toy: Puppy KONG Toy

KONG has long been the king of the chew toy world, and for good reason. The durable rubber of the puppy toys is softer than the adult versions, giving pups the pressure they need without hurting them.

They’re also ideal for stuffing with treats to keep puppies engaged (say during video calls or when guests are over). Fill the puppy KONG with dog-safe peanut butter, and your furry friend will have something to focus on while you’re busy.

One note of caution for new pet parents: If you’re using your puppy’s KONG a lot, consider swapping peanut butter for a low-calorie filler like pumpkin, sweet potato, or unsweetened apple sauce.

Key features:

• Durable natural rubber
• Stuff with treats or kibble
• Dishwasher-safe
• Freeze for an added challenge

Best Puppy Teething Toy: Nylabone Puppy Freezer Dog Bone

Teething makes puppies chew furiously to relieve their pain. Freezable chew toys are designed to add a soothing, cold element to your pup’s cathartic chomping.

We’re fans of this freezable toy by Nylabone because it’s softer than similar options for older dogs but still dense enough to stand up to razor-sharp puppy teeth. We also like that the chew toy offers two different textures that can be dipped in water and frozen. The bone at the top has soft bristles that massage inflamed gums, and the chilly cloth at the bottom gives puppies something soft and soothing to chew.

While puppies up to 25 pounds will find this teething toy a good fit, larger pups will need something in a bigger size.

Key features:

• Attached cloth can be soaked and frozen
• Nubby ring texture helps with dental health
• Available in peanut butter, lamb, and chicken flavors
• For puppies up to 25 pounds
• Not for puppies with adult teeth

Best Dental Chew Toy: Petstages Cutie Chewies Dog Toy

This cute hedgehog toy packs a lot of punch with multiple textures and a fun shape that bounces and floats. Spiky nubs massage sore gums and scrape off soft plaque as your puppy chews. The ring shape also makes it easy for your puppy to grasp, so they can really bite down and get to those hard-to-reach spots.

Measuring 3.5 inches high and 5 inches long, this compact chew toy is an ideal size for puppies and small dogs. Pet parents give it high marks for having a fun bendy texture. It’s also one of the most affordable toys on our list.

Key features:

• Firm but gentle enough for small mouths
• Ring shape is easy for pups to hold
• Spiky nubs massage gums and clean teeth

Best for Large Breed Puppies: Benebone Puppy Wishbone Chew

Larger breeds have stronger jaws and need durable chew toys. This puppy version of the Benebone Wishbone is softer than the adult toy but still very strong. Pet parents like that it’s firm but still has some gentle give for that “gnawability” that teething pups love. The toy’s curved wishbone design also makes it easy for puppies to hold while they chew and enhance their motor skills.

Available in different flavors like bacon and maple wood, this toy bone comes in various sizes for puppies up to 60 pounds.

Key features:

• Medium size suits large puppies (up to 60 pounds)
• Durable toy with gentle give
• Wishbone shape is easy for pups to grasp

Best for Small Breed Puppies: Nylabone Puppy Power Chew Rings

Small breed puppies need sturdy chew toys, too. Made of tough nylon, these colorful rings are designed to hold up to pups with a powerful bite, as well as smaller dogs who already have their adult teeth. The longer rings also work well for games of tug.

Suitable for pups up to 25 pounds, these chew rings have a bacon flavor and multiple textures to keep pups engaged. Reviewers note that the chew toy isn’t dishwasher safe, so you’ll have to handwash the rings in warm water.

Key features:

• Tough nylon rings designed for small but mighty mouths
• Suitable for puppies up to 25 pounds
• Bacon flavored with multiple textures
• Handwash only

Best Puzzle-Style Chew Toy: JW Hol-ee Roller Treat Dispensing Ball

Crafted from stretchy, non-toxic rubber, this brightly colored ball is gentle on sensitive puppy mouths and growing teeth (though not recommended for super chewers). It also doubles as an interactive puzzle toy that encourages your pup to learn how to problem-solve.

Give your puppy’s developing brain a boost and fill the puzzle ball with treats, chews, or smaller toys. Then watch as they roll, chew, and work to get them out. An added plus? Clean-up is easy. This toy is dishwasher-safe.

Key features:

• Soft, non-toxic rubber is easy on puppy teeth
• Comes in various sizes, from a three-inch small to a 7.5-inch jumbo
• Open puzzle design lets you get creative with the goodies you stuff inside

Best for Puppies 3-6 Months: KONG Puppy Binkie

Like the puppy version of the classic KONG, this binkie toy is made from the gentlest natural rubber in the brand’s entire line. Great as a chew toy on its own, this toy can also be stuffed with small treats or spreads for an added challenge.

Pet parents of baby puppies like that the simple pacifier design is easy for them to pick up and carry. It also has a fun bounce that adds excitement to playtime. Available in multiple sizes, this KONG toy is recommended for puppies up to nine months.

Key features:

• Simple binkie design is ideal for baby puppies
• Suitable for pups up to nine months
• Stuffable with treats or peanut butter

Best for Puppies 6-12 Months: West Paw Tux Toy

After six months, most puppies will have their adult teeth and can handle slightly tougher chew toys. The West Paw Tux offers a durable option for heavy chewers while adding a bouncy quality. We like that it’s easy for pups to toss around but doesn’t make too much noise when it lands. 

It also doubles as a more challenging puzzle toy than the KONG options on our list. Tuck a treat inside, and your dog will stay busy trying to remove it.

Key features:

• A more challenging, stuffable puzzle toy
• Sturdy but still offers a soft bounce
• Made from recycled materials

Best Value: Nylabone Puppy Starter Kit

The Nylabone puppy line continues with this pack of safe starter bones. Unlike real bones, these aren’t likely to chip your puppy’s teeth or splinter off (though, as with any chew, it’s important to monitor and check both your pup’s gums and the toy regularly for damage).

We love the variety in this affordable pack. The softer chicken-flavored chew is for younger puppies. Once they get adult teeth, they can graduate to the tougher bacon flavor bone. Last in the pack, the Natural Nubz dog chew is an edible treat.

Key features:

• Three varieties: soft, strong, and edible
• Durable nylon for longer play
• Remove if chipped or cracked

Best Plush Chew Toy: Outward Hound Tough Seamz Plush Puppy Chew Toy

Looking for something with a softer side for your puppy? This squeaky toy is both plush and tough. Made without stuffing, this Outward Hound toy has puncture-proof squeakers and double-stitched seams.

Choose from various fun animal shapes, like this long snake. Its long floppy body makes it easy for puppies to pick up, shake, tug, and gently chew (not recommended for super chewers, however). With multiple rows of squeakers, it can be noisy for humans but fascinating for your puppy.

Key features:

• Crinkle paper and squeakers offer varied sensory appeal
• Made stuffing-free and with puncture-proof squeakers
• Inner lining and double-stitched seams
• Not for aggressive chewers

Best Frozen Toy for Gums: Petstages Cool Teething Stick

This vibrant fabric chew toy gets cold and crunchy when frozen, providing soothing relief for sore gums. Just dip it in water and pop it in the freezer for a few hours, and you’re set! Pet parents whose pups are past the teething stage say this freezable stick toy is also a nice, icy chew on hot days.

Crinkly fabric and streamers at the end offer a variety of textures that feel satisfying on puppy teeth. It can also be washed on gentle cycle for easy cleanup. Since it is a soft toy, you’ll want to check for any loose threads, especially if you have a determined chewer on your hands.

Key features:

• Soft frozen fabric offers icy relief for inflamed gums
• Crinkly fabric and end streamers add fun texture
• Can be machine washed on gentle cycle
• One of the most affordable toys on our list

Best Tug Chew Toy: Nylabone Teeth ‘n’ Tug Puppy Toy

If your puppy is in the throes of teething, then you might want to hold off on giving them a traditional rope toy to chew as it could tear and fray. This Teethe ‘n’ Tug toy offers a safe alternative while your pup moves out of the baby shark stage.

With its rope-like shape, this toy is great for games of tug. The texture is also firm enough to hold up against sharp puppy teeth. Engage your pup in an active play session to give them some exercise while also distracting them from the discomfort of aching gums.

Key features:

• Rope-like shape good for games of tug
• Firm enough to hold up to chewing
• Gentle on developing puppy teeth

Best Calming Chew Toy: West Paw Toppl

If you have a puppy that easily cleans out stuffable puzzle toys, you can freeze wet food and spreadable treats for more lasting power. Because it’s a soothing behavior, the more your dog licks, the more it can help calm them down when they feel anxious.

With a cup-like shape and a large open interior, the West Paw Toppl holds a large amount of frozen food. The rubber teeth that protrude from the bottom act like a slow feeder, making your pup work a bit harder for their tasty treat.

Ideal for moderate chewers, some users reported that their dogs gnawed off the edges, so it’s best to keep an eye on your pup if they tend to bite down hard.

Key features:

• Cup-like shape with a large open mouth
• Favors wet, spreadable, and frozen treats
• Made of gentle rubber that’s easy on puppy teeth
• Ridges at the bottom add an extra challenge

How We Chose

The puppy-safe chew toys featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. These are the toys that stayed in favor with our dogs through their most rambunctious stages, however your dog may have a different opinion. Keep in mind they are growing in size, maturity, and personality too! What they enjoyed playing with today, or 30 minutes ago, may lose its charm the next day.

This is why we prioritized safety, durable materials, age-appropriateness, and variety. (Pro-tip: Put the toys away instead of letting them lay around. This helps toys feel newer, longer.) We were also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated puppies, who are never stingy with their feedback.

New Pet Parent Resources

Experiencing puppy blues? Consider Rover for a helping hand (or sturdy leash arm!). Sitters and walkers on Rover are here for all kinds of romps, including care for while you’re away. Book loving, experienced dog walkers or pet sitters in your neighborhood.

• How To Pick the Right Dog Toy for Your Pup
• The New Puppy Checklist: Essentials for New Pet Parents
• The Best Puppy Puzzle Toys to Keep Them Busy