Best Puppy Teething Toys in NZ: Safe, Fun & Soothing Picks

Welcoming a puppy into the whānau is exciting, but teething time can be ruff — on your pup and your furniture. That’s where the right toys come in. Teething toys are more than just fun distractions; they help soothe sore gums, encourage healthy chewing habits, and keep your pup out of trouble. In this guide, we’ll fetch the best puppy teething toys and share how to choose the right ones for your chewy companion.

Why Puppies Need Teething Toys

Just like human babies, puppies go through a teething stage. Between 3 and 6 months of age, their baby teeth fall out and adult teeth come in. This process can leave them feeling uncomfortable, with itchy gums and a strong urge to chew. Instead of your shoes or the leg of your dining table, provide them with puppy-safe chew toys designed for teething relief.

Here’s why teething toys are a must:

• They provide gum relief through gentle massage or cooling sensations.
• They encourage positive chewing behaviour from the start.
• They offer mental and physical stimulation, reducing boredom-based chewing.

Best Toy Materials For Teething Puppies

When choosing toys for teething tots, look for materials that are tough enough to handle chewing but soft enough to be gentle on young gums. Materials should be non-toxic, safe if ingested in small bits, and appropriately sized for a puppy's mouth. Here’s what to sniff out:

• Rubber: Durable and satisfying to chew. Look for soft rubber toys ideal for puppy teeth.
• Nylon: Toys that gently wear down, like Nylabone, can help clean teeth and satisfy chewing urges.
• Rope: Great for tugging and satisfying that chewing itch — plus, they help clean teeth naturally.
• Freezer-friendly: Toys that can be chilled offer extra gum-soothing power for sore mouths.

Top Puppy Teething Toys (Tried, Tested And Tail-Waggingly Good)

We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite teething toys your pup is bound to go mutts over:

• KONG Puppy: A classic choice made from soft rubber, ideal for teething puppies. You can even stuff it with treats or frozen puppy food for extra enrichment.
• Nylabone Puppy Chew Toys: Vet-trusted and designed for lighter chewers, these nylon bones help with dental cleaning too.
• Rope Toys: Perfect for bonding playtime and giving their teeth a good gentle workout.
• Frozen-friendly chew toys: Many teething-specific toys can be frozen to provide cooling relief — paw-fect fresh from the freezer on a warm day or during teething peaks.
• Outward Hound plush toys: Some softer plush toys are designed with teething pups in mind, giving them a snuggly yet durable option for play.

Tips For Safe Puppy Play

We get that puppies are curious explorers, but safety should always come first when it comes to teething toys. Keep these tips in mind for stress-free, safe chew sessions:

• Choose the right size toy — too small can be a choking hazard, especially for large-breed puppies like Labradors or Golden Retrievers.
• Supervise playtime, especially when toys are new or being chewed intensely.
• Inspect toys regularly and replace them when they show significant wear or damage.
• Stick to toys labelled puppy-safe or specifically for teething pups.

Other Ways To Support Teething Puppies

In addition to chew toys, there are a few more ways you can help your pup through the teething stage:

• Use puppy dental health supplements to support developing teeth and gums.
• Try calming supplements for anxious teething pups if they seem overly restless or mouthy.
• Keep a rotating collection of toys to avoid boredom — check our all pet toys range for inspiration.
• Start good dental habits early with a gentle puppy toothbrush from our dog dental care essentials.

We Get Pet — And Teething Troubles

At Petdirect, we know how important it is to nurture your pup during every stage of growth — and especially teething. With the right mix of safe, vet-trusted toys and a little patience, your puppy will soon grow into a happy, healthy chewer. Explore our hand-picked selection of puppy must-haves and make the teething stage a tail-wagging success!

Join our Pet Perks loyalty programme and earn rewards while stocking up on all your puppy parenting essentials. Plus, enjoy the convenience of Autodeliver so you never run out of the toys that keep your teething tot happy.