8 Must-Have Products for Teething Puppies

Teething can be such a distressing period for both puppies and their parents. Swollen, painful gums, the constant urge to chew, and the inevitable destruction of your favorite shoes are all markers of this stressful time during a puppy's life.

Fortunately, teething is temporary and usually resolves when the last of a puppy's adult teeth come in at around the age of 6 months. However, finding ways to relieve your dog's pain and prevent household destruction in the meantime can be a challenge. Luckily, we're here to help. We've rounded up 8 must-haves for teething puppies that are sure to have your woofer feeling better in no time. 

There are a few different products and home remedies pet parents can use to combat teething symptoms. 

• Rubber chew toys. Rubber chew toys encourage constructive chewing and help push adult teeth through the gum surface. 

• Hard treat chews. Hard chews work the same way as rubber chew toys, except they have the added benefit of being edible. You should only allow your dog to have hard chews (including bully sticks and pig ears) under direct supervision since these carry risks for choking and internal blockages.

• Cold teethers. Cold teethers combine the benefits of chew toys and cold therapy to relieve gum pain and help teeth erupt. 

• Frozen wet washcloths. Don't want to shell out for a teether? Try tying a knot in a wet washcloth and sticking it in the freezer — your pup will love this chilly tug toy. If you have trouble getting your dog to chew the cloth, try soaking it in chicken or beef broth before freezing. 

• Frozen treats. Frozen treats like Ben & Jerry’s Doggie Desserts are "furrific" for temporarily numbing the gums. However, doggy ice cream can be a little expensive. Try blending up your own puppy soft serve with some frozen bananas, yogurt, and some peanut butter for a cheap alternative. If you don't have those things on hand, freeze some meat broth in ice cube trays and toss them to your pup for quick pain relief! 

• CBD dog treats. Many pet parents have luck with CBD for their dog’s teething pain. We "pawticularly" like Chill Paws CBD dog treats and even named them one of our favorite pet products of 2021. 

• Teething gels. Homeopathic teething gels are a fantastic and natural way to reduce gum soreness and swelling. Look for a teething gel that uses clove oil, chamomile, and peppermint since these plant extracts have anti-inflammatory properties.
  

From teethers and toys to pain-relieving gels, here are some of the top-rated puppy teething products on the market.

KONG is arguably the most well-known dog toy brand, and its classic stuffable toys are a favorite of pet parents worldwide. But for many puppy parents, the KONG Puppy Teething Stick is a life-saver.

This chew is for dogs under 20 lbs and 9 months old and comes in 3 sizes (small, medium, and large) to suit puppies of every breed. What makes this chew unique is the prominent ridges that help the new teeth erupt. Plus, like classic Kong toys, you can stuff the puppy teething stick with treats and tasty spreads!

Prevent destructive chewing wherever you go with this fashionable bracelet chew toy by Sweet Paws. Just slip it off your arm and hand it to your pup for on-the-go teething pain relief. This cute and chewable accessory is made of food-grade silicone and is free of harmful plastic additives like BPA. The best part? When the bracelet gets slobbery, you can toss it in the dishwasher for cleaning!

The Nylabone Moderate Chill and Chew Toy is one of our favorite freezable toys, thanks to its unique shape, versatility, and meat-flavored outer layer.

This toy features chewable ridges and pockets that pet parents can fill with water, bone broth, or even cheese spread! Simply fill the pockets, then stick it in the freezer for a tasty chew that'll entertain and soothe sore gums. This toy is even made from color-changing material to alert pet parents when it needs to go back in the freezer.

In search of a treat that's both good for your dog and curbs chewing? Look no further than N-Bone Puppy Teething Rings Plus. These tasty chews are made with chicken, rice flour, and gelatin. They also contain anti-inflammatory ingredients like cinnamon, fennel, algae, and turmeric to help with swelling and soreness. The rings have a healthy dose of DHA, which growing dogs need for healthy brain development.    

If your dog is cutting teeth and you're concerned with their pain levels, VetIQ Teething Gel can help. VetIQ Teething Gel is approved for use in dogs as young as a month old and can be used for the duration of the teething process.

This formula is made with aniseed, clove, peppermint, and chamomile oils to numb the gums and relieve swelling. The gel has no sweeteners or artificial additives, so you can be confident about what you're giving your growing pup. The best part is this gel has a flavor that puppies enjoy, which means you won't have to wrestle your dog to apply it.

Unfortunately, quality chew toys and ointments aren't always enough to curb a pup's chewing cravings. For a proactive solution, you can try using chew deterrent products to keep Fluffy's paws (and chompers) off your stuff. Below are some anti-chew sprays that pet parents swear by.

Pharmacist Irv Grannick developed Grannick’s Bitter Apple Spray in the ‘60s for a client whose dog wouldn’t stop chewing their skin. The formula worked so well that the pharmacist decided to bottle it and sell it, and it’s been a household staple for parents of super chewers ever since!

This formula can be used on non-staining surfaces and has an unpleasant taste to discourage Fido from chewing. This formula is non-irritating and is safe enough to use directly on your dog's skin — even on hot spots!

Rocco & Roxie No Chew Extreme Bitter Spray is a non-toxic dog deterrent that will prevent Fido from nibbling on things they shouldn’t. We love it because it's safe for topical use and alcohol- and irritant-free. It also contains copaiba oil to relieve pain and skin inflammation due to skin chewing.

This spray's gentle, non-staining formula won't damage furniture or colorfast fabrics. Plus, it doesn't have an offensive odor like some anti-chew sprays! All Rocco & Roxie products have a satisfaction guarantee, and if you don't think it's five-star worthy, you can contact the customer service team for a full refund!

We teamed up with Rocco & Roxie for our 13 Days of “Pawlidays” giveaway in 2021. While you're browsing for some puppy teething products, be sure to check out some of Rocco & Roxie's other "pawsome" pet accessories!

Fur Goodness Sake Bitter Boost Spray is a top pick for parents of multi-pet households since it's safe and effective for dogs, cats, and rabbits. This formula works on skin, furniture, and even soft surfaces. This product contains moisturizing tea tree oil and bitter apple extract to soothe skin while discouraging chewing in all your household pets.

Teething is a difficult time for all puppy parents, but we hope you can navigate this period without too much stress or home damage with these tools. For more help with tackling teething problems, log in to the Wag! app and request a session with a dog trainer today!