Plush dog toys help soothe a puppy’s teething pain by providing a soft surface to chew on, similar to a baby’s teething ring. They also offer comfort by mimicking the feel of littermates, which can ease separation stress.
As teeth begin to develop, puppies can experience:
If suitable toys or dental products are not available, puppies may chew items that could cause more pain or damage to their oral health.
Plush toys can be used in the very early stages of teething, to help develop the chewing instinct and to help soothe gums as teeth start to erupt.
They act as an introduction to more robust chewing aids, such as harder rubber toys, which may be unsuitable for the baby teeth of small puppies.
As puppies would naturally be born as part of a litter, they instinctively look to have close contact with siblings for comfort. A selection of dog toys can help your puppy to mimic those natural behaviours.
When choosing, be sure to buy toys which are 100% safe and will not come apart easily with normal chewing or expose sharp edges or components. Good options include:
Always check the toy is well-stitched, free from detachable parts, and made from non-toxic materials. While many toys come in fun designs, focus on those that are built for teething, not just for decoration. Their primary job is to relieve discomfort and encourage healthy chewing habits, so safety and intended use should always come first.
Most toys will come with full cleaning and care instructions but if these are lost, it’s important to remember that soft toys need to be cleaned with pet-safe detergent, or preferably no detergent at all. With some toys, a simple hand wash with a mix of warm water and vinegar is all that’s needed.
Remember that your puppy’s mouth and gums may be sore, and as teeth begin to appear or grow, they could be more prone to infection – hence the need for a good cleaning regime. In addition, the toy should not be returned to your puppy until it is 100% dry, to ensure there is no risk of mould or mildew being present. As such, we recommend you have a selection of dog toys so you can rotate the cleaning cycle.
As part of your play routines at this important time in your puppy’s development, it’s always best to regularly check that the soft toy is intact and not damaged. Frequently check that your pup can effectively chew by providing a toy that is appropriate for their size. Always reward your pup for playing with their toy and using it correctly, but don’t discipline them for misdirected chewing behaviour, or for nipping your fingers! Just be more interactive by enticing them away with the correct toy and if necessary, reward them with small treats.
It’s also recommended to have regular but short sessions rather than prolonged chewing activity, and make sure teething play sessions are gentle rather than boisterous, which could result in the encouragement of aggressive behaviour. Helping your puppy through this difficult phase in the correct way will bring benefits for the future, and will help with bonding at this early stage in their lives.
