In October, I got a 4 lb. Malitpoo with the teeth of a great white. In Oliver’s case, looks are deceiving. It may seem like the most he can chew through is a Kleenex, but I have many pairs of shoes that beg to differ. Every time that I take away whatever it is that he’s chewing on, Oliver thinks we’re playing some fun game. The only way I’ve gotten him to latch onto something other than my sneakers is with these toys! They help his teething and my closet.
Golden Rule: The toy should be soft enough to provide relief, but tough enough to last!
Hard Rubber Toys
My personal favorite is the Kong classic dog toy. It come’s in six different sizes ranging from XS-XXL to fit your breeds needs. The toy works perfectly as is, but for an added bonus to keep your pup interested, you can fill it with Kong Stuff’N Snacks or Easy treats. These treats fill in the center hole of the Kong and can keep your dog interested for hours as they try to empty out the goodies from inside.
Pro tip: freeze the Kong with the treat spray inside over night to keep your dog occupied even longer
Hard Nylon Toys
These toys are virtually impossible for dogs to destroy, just make sure you’re buying the right size for your pet! A toy that’s too small is dangerous for choking and a toy thats too big will simply be ignored by your pup. Make sure it’s just right!
Rope Toys
Rope toys are great for teething pups, but make sure whatever you buy is good quality and durable. Even though it’s a great toy, fraying rope isn’t good for little pups. Swallowing the fibers can be harmful. The best way to keep your doggo entertained by this for hours is to soak the rope before bed and put it in the freezer over night. Doing this will soothe the pups gums and keep the toy engaging for hours!
Toys to Avoid
- Items with small or sharp parts.
- Cooked real bones
- Plastic (e.g., garbage bags)
- Rawhide
- Non durable squeaker toys. Durable (and therefore, pricier) squeaker toys are fine, but when cheaply made they are dangerous for dogs. Puppy teeth are strong and can tear through the toy to the squeaker. It’s extremely dangerous for these pups to swallow the squeaker, so if you’re opting for this sort of toy, first make sure its super durable and well made!
- Anything that belongs to you! Yes, it’s difficult to refuse their adorable face, but you’re better off saying no then yelling when you discover your new pumps are open toed sandals!
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