Best Chew Toys for Puppies: How To Satisfy Their Need to Chew and Support Healthy Development | Pupford

Bringing a new puppy home is equal parts joy and chaos—especially when they start chewing anything in sight. Shoes, furniture, baseboards—nothing is safe! But chewing is a normal (and healthy!) puppy behavior. The trick is giving your pup the right outlets to chew… ones that support their development, relieve teething pain, and keep your belongings intact.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best chew toys for puppies, from safe, tasty chews to long-lasting enrichment toys. We'll cover why chewing is important, how to choose the right chew toy, and which products consistently earn top reviews from pup parents like you. We’ll also highlight some Pupford puppy-safe chews and top picks from Amazon and Chewy, and share tips for managing destructive chewing.

Table of Contents

1. Why Puppies Need to Chew
2. What to Look for in a Puppy Chew Toy
3. Best Puppy-Safe Chews from Pupford
4. Top-Rated Chew Toys from Amazon and Chewy
5. The Role of Enrichment in Curbing Chewing
6. Chewing and Puppy Biting: What’s the Difference?

Why Puppies Need to Chew

Chewing isn't just a naughty habit—it's a vital part of a puppy’s development. Here’s why:

• 🦷 Teething relief: Between 3–6 months old, your pup will lose their baby teeth and grow adult teeth. Chewing helps soothe sore gums.
• 🧠 Mental stimulation: Chewing gives puppies a job to do, which helps prevent boredom and behavioral issues.
• 🐾 Exploration: Puppies use their mouths to explore the world, just like babies.
• 🛋️ Prevention of destructive behavior: Giving your pup appropriate chew toys redirects that natural need to chew away from your shoes and furniture.

If you don’t give them something to chew, they’ll find anything to chew. Learn all about the Why’s and How’s of Canine Chewing Behavior!

What to Look for in a Puppy Chew Toy

When choosing a chew toy for your pup, you’ll want to prioritize:

Safety

• Made from puppy-safe materials (no sharp edges, toxic chemicals, or pieces that can break off and be swallowed).
• Designed specifically for puppies’ smaller jaws and softer teeth.

Size & Texture

• Not too small to be a choking hazard, not too big for your pup’s mouth.
• Softer textures are better for teething puppies (look for rubber, nylon, or safe natural chews).

Taste or Stuffability

• Flavored or fillable chew toys keep puppies engaged longer.
• Bonus points if it can be stuffed with peanut butter, yogurt, or treats.

Durability

• While puppies need softer toys, the toy should still last more than 5 minutes.

Let’s dive into some of the best options that check these boxes.

Related Reading: When to Start Training A Puppy

Best Puppy-Safe Chews from Pupford

When it comes to choosing safe and satisfying chews for your puppy, we offer several options made with limited ingredients and designed to support healthy chewing habits. These chews are ideal for teething relief, mental stimulation, and redirecting unwanted chewing behaviors in growing pups.

Turkey Tendons

• Naturally high in protein and easy to digest
• Great for smaller mouths and light chewers
• Made with just one ingredient—no fillers or preservatives

Bully Rings

• Tougher texture for pups who need a longer-lasting challenge
• Helps clean teeth and massage gums while they chew
• Shaped into a ring to make it easier for puppies to grip and hold

Beef Tendons

• Chewy but not overly hard—perfect for teething relief
• Single-ingredient treat with natural flavor dogs love
• A great alternative to rawhide and other artificial chews

By offering safe, appropriate chewing outlets, you can help your pup build better habits while supporting their physical and mental development.

Top-Rated Chew Toys from Amazon and Chewy

While Pupford has your enrichment needs covered, there are some other highly rated chew toys from Amazon and Chewy that are excellent for puppies. These are consistently loved by pup parents:

KONG Puppy Toy (Amazon)

• Designed specifically for teething puppies
• Can be stuffed with treats or frozen for soothing relief

Nylabone Puppy Teething Rings (Amazon)

• Flexible and soft for young mouths
• Variety of textures keeps chewing interesting

Benebone Puppy Wishbone Chew (Chewy)

• Flavored with real bacon
• Perfect size for small breeds or young puppies

Petstages Dogwood Stick (Chewy)

• Looks like a stick, but made from safe, durable materials
• Combines natural wood with synthetic for a satisfying chew

Each of these toys is safe for teething puppies and comes highly recommended by both dog trainers and veterinarians - and pup parents like you!

The Role of Enrichment in Curbing Chewing

Enrichment isn’t just about toys—it’s about giving your puppy outlets for their energy, instincts, and curiosity.

When puppies are bored or understimulated, chewing becomes their go-to coping strategy. Enrichment helps redirect that energy in more constructive (and furniture-friendly) ways.

Easy Puppy Enrichment Ideas:

• 🧊 Frozen toys: Freeze peanut butter in a Kong for a cooling, long-lasting chew.
• 🧠 Snuffle mats: Encourage natural foraging instincts. 
• 🍽️ Puzzle feeders: Turn mealtime into a mental workout.
• 🐕 Training sessions: Reinforce behaviors and tire out their brain.
• 🖼️ Visual stimulation: Let them look out a window or explore a new room.

All of these ideas give your puppy a job, which means they’re less likely to chew destructively.

Check out our A-Z Enrichment Guide for even more ideas!

Chewing and Puppy Biting: What’s the Difference?

Puppies chew and puppies bite—but they’re not the same thing.

• Chewing is self-directed: they chew toys, sticks, shoes, etc.
• Biting is usually directed at you: hands, ankles, clothing.

Puppy biting is often playful or attention-seeking, and it’s a completely normal phase, especially during teething. But it's important to address biting early with redirection, positive reinforcement, and calming techniques.

If you’re dealing with biting, don’t worry—we’ve got a full breakdown here:
👉 Stop Puppy Biting Fast

Recap: Best Chew Toys for Puppies

Your puppy isn’t trying to destroy your home—they just need to chew.

The key is giving them safe, stimulating, and satisfying chew toys that meet their physical and mental needs. Whether it’s a Pupford Turkey Tendon, a classic Kong, or a tasty Benebone, the right chew toy can provide hours of engagement, relief, and learning for your pup.

• Offer multiple types of chew toys (rubber, edible, interactive)
• Prioritize safety, durability, and enrichment potential
• Use enrichment to reduce boredom and redirect unwanted behavior
• Start early and teach your pup what to chew (and what not to)

By understanding why puppies chew and offering the right tools, you’ll not only save your shoes—you’ll build better habits for life.

🐶Ready to start training your new pup! Sign up for our FREE 30-Day Perfect Pup training course!