The Best Natural Treats for Teething Puppies 2026
The Best Natural Treats for Teething Puppies I am a veterinarian and I know that teething is often the toughest period a new puppy owner faces. Suddenly you have got a tiny adorable shark who is out to destroy everything you own your carpets, your shoes, and sometimes even you. It is not often malicious.
It is a biological requirement.
Between 12 to 20 weeks of age your puppy’s baby teeth are falling out to make way for 42 adult teeth and this process is uncomfortable.
The best thing you can do to get through this stage is to provide safe, natural, and relaxed outlets for that chewing urge. The right treats will help safeguard your belongings as well as your young pup’s developing teeth.
Understanding Your Teething Puppy’s Needs
As a puppy teethes, his gums will start to swell, turning bright red and very tender; his natural instinct is to then chew to relieve these pains. Any ideal teething treat will accomplish three key features:
Help soothe sensitive gums: Cold helps to numb sore gum tissue.
Provide some resistance for the chewing without fracturing baby teeth: a gentle chew for this purpose provides gum stimulation. Digestible, should a small pieces be taken off : no risk to the pups digestive system if small pieces are not eaten completely whole
The “Thumbnail Test” A Crucial Safety Rule
But first a couple of rules of thumb need to be identified before I start suggesting chew ideas. For those sensitive teeth, a chew is too hard for a teething puppy when a smallindentation can’t be made in it with your fingernail . If you can hurt your thumbnail with it then consider those sensitive new teeth!! They are too hard and could potentially cause more than painful chips and fractures!
Top Natural Treats for Teething Puppies
With that said here are the healthiest and safest natural pet and treat options as recommended to me in school and researched in the field.
1. Frozen Vegetables The Classic Cold Soother
A truly simple and healthy choice freeze your carrot! The cooling effect can soothe painful gums and your puppy will love to sink his teeth into the satisfying, chewy texture . While baby carrots work well for younger pups, be sure to supervise carefully to avoid your dog choking! Frozen sweet potato slices are another great stomach-friendly alternative .
2. Airy and Gentle Protein Chews
There are a number of other natural chews that are inherently light and airy. “These are great for smaller mouths or puppies with sensitivity to dental decay,” says Nelson.
Beef Lung Bites: “They’re fluffy, crumbly, easy to chew, and easy to break apart for training.”
Rabbit Ears (with Fur): “The fur aids digestion as natural fiber and they offer an unusual chewing texture.”
3. Soft to Moderate Natural Chews
As your puppy begins to age (4 tp 6 months), they’ll be able to handle chews with more texture.
* Beef Gullet Sticks: “More bendable than adult chews and also fully digestible so these are a great stepping stone.”
* Cow Ear Slivers: “These are like the more pliable less ‘aversion of a pig’s ear. Also good content of collagen, gentle to developing teeth.”
* Paddywack or Beef Tendons: “Single ingredient chewy, kept puppy entertained for a good amount of time. I use them in a limited way owners have found splinters a problem, so watch puppy and ensure it’s cut into appropriately bite sized no pointy bits.”
4. Specialized Dental Chews
Additionally there are manufactured dog treats made only for dogs, and puppies. WHIMZEES Puppy Stix Specially formulated to support the sensitive puppy teeth and gums the Chew Stix are a soft, chewy and Grain Free recipe that helps support healthy teeth as well as the healthy development of your puppies bones through the use of Calcium.
5. Natural Chew Toys
Though these should not be eaten, it’s helpful to have some safe toys handy.
Stuffed and Frozen Toys : Freeze a Kong (or other similar, insertable toy) stuffed with your puppy’s food to keep him busy and mentally entertained for hours by allowing him to lick out the goodies slowly.
Frozen Washcloth : A simple and frugal way to ease swollen gums, give him a washcloth damp with water, twist tightly, and place in the freezer for a few hours.
BetterBone SOFT : Made from all natural, food-grade ingredients, these are the only eco-friendly chew toys on the market, are 40% softer than traditional nylon, and specially formulated for the tough task of teething a puppy’s teeth.
Treats to Avoid During Teething
Just as important as knowing what to give is knowing what to avoid .
| What to Avoid | Reason |
|---|---|
| Antlers, Hooves & Hard Bones | Far too hard risk of tooth fractures. |
| Cooked Bones | Splinter easily, causing internal damage. |
| Yak Chews | Too hard and dense for baby teeth. |
| Rawhide | Heavy processing, choking and blockage risks. |
| Sticks from outside | Can splinter and get stuck in the mouth or throat. |
For More Info: How to Check a Dogs Pulse and Heart Rate in an Emergency 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I give my puppy a real bone for teething?
Never serve your puppy cooked bones. This is because the pieces can fragment creating nasty damage inside your puppy Raw bones can be safe if your puppy eats raw, but softer, and more digestible, natural chews can be just as useful. Not to mention they will not splinter and break the milk teeth.
What is the best natural thing to give a teething puppy?
A frozen carrot is a great all-natural option. They are inexpensive, tasty, and will help to soothe painful teething gums due to its cold nature. Make sure you watch your puppy when they are chewing it so that it does not become a choking hazard .
Are bully sticks safe for teething puppies?
Bully sticks are edible and great for protein, yet on the crunchy side. When choosing bully sticks for your teething puppy, opt for “bully nuggets” or “bully bits,” which are softer and smaller than adult-sized sticks. Be sure to always select a size larger than your puppy’s throat.
Can frozen fruit or vegetables help?
Yep. You can experiment with frozen sweet potato slices or just an ice cube instead of carrots. Both these methods of giving cold treats is harmless; the only restriction for fruits like apple should be to take care of the seeds.
When should I introduce chews like yak cheese?
What should NOT give a puppy puppy for dogs to enjoy is recommended to not give your pup hard chews such as yak cheese, or antlers etc to your puppy, at least until puppy has all of the adult teeth, this is roughly when your puppy will be 6 months old and can fracture the puppy’s baby teeth.
How long should a teething treat last my puppy?
A treat shouldn’t be consumed over a few days by the puppy. If you can’t break it apart without a significant amount of force it’s too tough for their teething puppy and isn’t providing the relief or distraction you were looking for. Instead, it can be the modern-day equivalent of giving a new baby a large rock.
Are natural chews safe for puppies with sensitive stomachs?
Some single ingredient all natural chews are actually safe to give to sensitive tummy’s. Nevertheless, go new dog chew very slow & steady! Beef lung and also sweet potato are 2 well tolerated choices.
How do I know if a chew is too hard for my puppy?
Pass the \”thumbnail test\”. Put the puppy’s chew between the tip of your index finger and your thumbnail, applying all your force. If it won’t indent or mark at all, it’s much too hard to be safe for a teething puppy, and could cause it to break in half.
Can I give my puppy dental chews instead of brushing their teeth?
A dental chew such as WHIMZEES could contribute to reducing plaque and tartar buildup, but it is not a replacement for brushing! Brushing your puppy’s teeth in the early years would ideally be a goal.
Why is it important to supervise my puppy when they are chewing?
It’s also very important that they remain supervised while chewing to help reduce choking possibilities and to eliminate small bits that they may swallow in a whole piece that could cause a blockage in the intestine. It always pays to be looking in, to ensure their chew is not becoming to small.
