Best chews for puppies: safe picks that actually get used

Chewing is how puppies explore the world, soothe teething pain, and sometimes destroy your favorite shoes. The right chews channel that energy into something safe, satisfying, and long lasting so you can protect your belongings and your puppy’s teeth at the same time.

This guide focuses on vet friendly, easy to find chews that suit most puppies from about 8 weeks to 12 months. You will find quick recommendations, detailed reviews, and practical safety tips so you can match the right chew to your puppy’s age, size, and chewing style.

Quick picks

• Nylabone Puppy Starter Pack Teething Bones – Best starter set for most puppies: A three pack with two durable chews and one edible treat bone that covers teething relief, boredom, and reward time. A solid first choice if you are not sure what kind of chewer you have yet.
• KONG Puppy Classic Rubber Toy – Best stuffable chew for crate time: Softer rubber than the adult KONG makes it gentle on baby teeth while still tough enough for strong jaws. Stuff and freeze it to turn crate time into something your puppy looks forward to.
• Benebone Wishbone Puppy Chew – Best long lasting flavored chew: A flavor infused nylon chew sized and softened for puppies that like to really go to town on their toys. Great for determined chewers that shred plush toys in minutes.
• SmartBones Puppy Chicken Chews – Best rawhide free treat style chew: Veggie based, chicken flavored sticks that satisfy the urge to chew while being more easily digested than traditional rawhide. Works well as a special chewing treat for smaller puppies.

In-depth reviews

Nylabone Puppy Starter Pack Teething Bones review

This starter pack is ideal for new puppy owners who want a simple, affordable way to test what their dog likes. It usually includes one softer, flexible chew, one harder plastic chew, and one edible puppy treat bone, all sized for small to medium young dogs.

The textured surfaces help massage sore gums, and the different firmness levels let you rotate chews as your puppy’s teeth and jaw strength change. Many puppies enjoy the light flavoring, and the shapes are easy for small paws to hold, which keeps them engaged longer than a plain stick or plush toy.

The main drawback is that the harder chews can be too firm for very tiny or toy breed puppies, especially under 10 weeks. For those pups, the KONG Puppy Classic is gentler on teeth. If you know your puppy is an intense chewer that destroys plastic, the Benebone Wishbone Puppy Chew will last longer than the Nylabone flexi pieces, but it is also harder and should be introduced once adult teeth start coming in.

KONG Puppy Classic Rubber Toy review

The KONG Puppy Classic is a great fit for most puppies 8 weeks and older, especially those spending time in a crate or playpen. It is made from a slightly softer rubber than the red adult KONG, so it flexes under pressure instead of acting like a rock against baby teeth.

The hollow center can be stuffed with kibble, soft puppy food, or a smear of canned pumpkin or yogurt, then frozen to create a longer lasting project. This turns chewing into a mental workout, which can really help calm high energy or anxious puppies that otherwise mouth hands and furniture.

No toy is truly indestructible, and heavy chewers can eventually tear small pieces from the tip or opening, so you need to replace it once cracks appear. Compared with SmartBones Puppy Chicken Chews, the KONG offers many more minutes of engagement for fewer calories. If your goal is simply to keep your puppy happily busy without adding extra treats, this is a stronger choice than treat style chews like SmartBones.

Benebone Wishbone Puppy Chew review

The Benebone Wishbone Puppy Chew is built for pups that already act like power chewers but still have developing teeth. It uses a slightly softer nylon formula than the adult Benebone line and comes in puppy friendly sizes with flavors like bacon or chicken infused through the chew.

The wishbone shape gives three arms to grip, so puppies can hold it between their paws and really dig in. This makes it more engaging than a straight stick style nylon bone for many dogs, and most owners find it lasts weeks rather than days, even with frequent use.

Because it is a nylon chew, it should never be eaten and is not a great match for puppies that tend to bite off and swallow large chunks of toys. If your dog is more of a gentle chewer or is still very young, the softer Nylabone Puppy Starter Pack is a safer first step. For crate time or for puppies that need more mental challenge, a food stuffed KONG Puppy Classic usually provides better enrichment than a plain nylon chew.

SmartBones Puppy Chicken Chews review

SmartBones Puppy Chicken Chews are a good option for owners who want the satisfaction of a chew that can be eaten without the risks that come with traditional rawhide. They are made from vegetable starch and chicken, shaped into small sticks that soften as the puppy works on them.

The texture offers some dental benefit by wiping along the teeth, but the bigger advantage is how much puppies enjoy the flavor. For picky eaters or timid chewers that ignore rubber toys, a SmartBones chew can be a useful way to encourage appropriate chewing and provide a high value reward after training sessions.

These are treats, not toys, so you must account for calories and limit daily amounts to prevent loose stools or weight gain. If you want something that occupies your puppy for longer with fewer calories, the KONG Puppy Classic is the better everyday option. For dogs that need a truly long lasting, non edible chew, the Benebone Wishbone Puppy Chew is a stronger choice than SmartBones.

How to choose safe puppy chews

The best chew for your puppy depends on three main factors: age, size, and chewing style. Matching each of these reduces the risk of broken teeth, choking, or expensive vet visits.

1. Consider age and teething stage.

• 8 to 16 weeks: Baby teeth are delicate, so stick with soft rubber toys like the KONG Puppy Classic and flexible puppy nylon chews such as the gentler pieces in the Nylabone Puppy Starter Pack.
• 4 to 6 months: As adult teeth erupt, puppies often chew hardest. Rotate a mix of softer rubber and moderate firmness nylon chews, and use cold or frozen stuffable toys to soothe sore gums.
• 6 to 12 months: Most adult teeth are in, but the jaw is still developing. You can introduce firmer nylon chews like the Benebone Wishbone Puppy Chew, while still avoiding rock hard items like real bones or antlers.

2. Match the chew to your puppy’s size and chewing style.

• Light chewers: Often satisfied with softer toys, plush with hidden rubber parts, and gentle nylon chews. Oversized KONG Puppy toys work well because they are easy to grip but hard to fully destroy.
• Moderate chewers: Typically do best with a mix of rubber and puppy specific nylon chews, plus occasional treat chews like SmartBones. Make sure the chew is large enough that it cannot be swallowed whole.
• Power chewers: May need tougher puppy nylon chews such as Benebone along with heavy duty rubber toys. Start with short, supervised chewing sessions to confirm they are not able to break off large pieces.

3. Look for safe materials and realistic marketing.

• Choose chews labeled specifically for puppies, not just small dogs, so the hardness and size are appropriate.
• For edible chews, favor rawhide free options and simple ingredient lists to reduce digestive upsets.
• Be skeptical of claims like indestructible. Any chew can fail in the right (or wrong) mouth, so supervision and regular inspection matter more than a label.

Puppy chew safety and what to avoid

Even with good products, how you use chews matters as much as what you buy. A few simple habits can dramatically lower the risk of problems.

Always supervise at first. Stay in the same room whenever your puppy has a new chew. Watch how they use it, whether they try to swallow large pieces, and how quickly it wears down. Once you know how your puppy handles a particular chew, you can give it with a bit more freedom.

Size up for safety. Choose chews that are larger than your puppy’s mouth so they cannot be gulped whole. When a chew becomes small enough to fit entirely behind the canine teeth, it is time to take it away and replace it.

Skip or limit these for most puppies:

• Cooked bones and antlers: Very hard and can crack teeth or splinter into sharp pieces. These are especially risky for puppies and should generally be avoided.
• Traditional rawhide: Many puppies swallow large chunks that can cause choking or digestive blockages. If you ever use it, choose compressed or rolled pieces and supervise closely, but rawhide free chews are usually safer.
• Very hard nylon bones: Adult strength nylon chews can be too firm for developing teeth. Stick to puppy specific versions until your vet confirms the teeth and jaw are ready.
• Stringy or easily shredded toys: Rope toys and poorly made plush can shed long strings or stuffing that puppies swallow. Reserve rope for supervised tug games and remove it when you cannot watch.

Watch the calories. Treat style chews like SmartBones or bully sticks can be surprisingly high in calories. As a general rule, all treats and edible chews combined should make up no more than about 10 percent of your puppy’s daily calories unless your vet directs otherwise.

Inspect and replace often. Run your fingers along chews every few days. If you feel sharp edges, see cracks, or notice large pieces missing, throw the chew away and replace it. It is cheaper to buy a new toy than to pay for an emergency vet visit.

Final thoughts

If you are starting from scratch and want a simple, safe setup, begin with the Nylabone Puppy Starter Pack and a KONG Puppy Classic. Together they cover both soothing teething at home and keeping your puppy happily occupied in a crate or playpen.

For determined chewers that seem to destroy everything, add a Benebone Wishbone Puppy Chew as your longer lasting, non edible option, and keep SmartBones Puppy Chicken Chews for special, supervised treat sessions. By rotating 2 or 3 types of chews, you keep your puppy interested, protect their teeth, and give them a healthy outlet for one of their most natural instincts.

See also

If you are curious about your puppy’s background and future health risks, take a look at our Embark dog DNA test review.

• Cat owners in multi pet homes may also appreciate our hands on Litter-Robot 4 self-cleaning litter box review.

FAQ

Which chews are safest for a teething puppy?

For most teething puppies, the safest everyday choices are soft rubber toys like the KONG Puppy Classic and flexible puppy specific nylon chews such as those in the Nylabone Puppy Starter Pack. These have some give when you press a fingernail into them, which reduces the risk of tooth damage. You can also chill or lightly freeze rubber toys to give extra relief without making them rock hard.

How long should I let my puppy chew at a time?

For young puppies, plan on short, focused chewing sessions of about 10 to 20 minutes, a few times a day. This gives them an outlet without overworking their jaw or letting them fixate on one toy until it breaks. If your puppy starts to get frustrated, chews aggressively instead of calmly, or the chew is getting very small, it is time to trade for a different toy or take a break.

Are natural chews like bully sticks safe for puppies?

Bully sticks and similar natural chews can be safe for some puppies when used carefully, but they are rich and high in calories. Introduce them slowly, supervise closely, and take them away once they become short enough to swallow whole. Many owners prefer to wait until around 5 to 6 months of age and use puppy friendly options like SmartBones or rubber toys first, especially with sensitive stomachs.

How do I know when to throw a chew toy away?

Inspect every chew at least weekly. If you see cracks running through the toy, sharp or jagged edges, or if it has been chewed down small enough to fit entirely in your puppy’s mouth, it should go in the trash. For edible chews, remove them once they become short, soft, or gummy enough that your puppy could swallow them whole. Replacing chews regularly is a normal part of safe puppy ownership.

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