Why this basket
- Built from Dogs Trust, PDSA and Battersea advice on teething and mouthing, plus the toy listings' own size and safety notes.
- Chew size comes first. PDSA says a chew should be bigger than the dog's throat and soft enough to dent with a fingernail, and the safest toy is one the dog can carry without holding all of it in its mouth.
- The basket has several toys, not one, because Dogs Trust suggests mixing rope, rubber and soft toys and swapping them every couple of days.
- Toys need watching. Dogs Trust says to keep toys away when you cannot watch play, and PDSA says to bin any toy with parts that could be bitten off.
Now
The chewing has started: give it somewhere to go.
A soft rubber chew bigger than the puppy's throat
4.5 on Amazon · 45,435 ratings · 2K+ bought last month · #4 in Chew Toys for Dogs · recorded 27 Sept 2026
PDSA wants a chew bigger than the dog's throat and soft enough to indent with a fingernail. The listing says the KONG Puppy uses the gentlest rubber in the KONG line, made for a puppy's 28 baby teeth, and that power chewers may need one or two sizes up. This medium one can be stuffed with food; the listing says to supervise play and remove it if damaged.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Tough rubber that outlasts other toys, even with hard chewers(10 of 13 reviews)
- Stuffed with food and frozen, it keeps a pup busy for ages(3 of 13 reviews)
- Puppies play with it and chase it for hours(4 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 17 x 12 x 7.6 cm
- Weight
- 100 g
- Material
- Natural Rubber
- Made for
- medium dogs
- In the box
- Puppy Kong
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 31 days; Amazon showed no discount of 10% or more on any of them.
Also recommended on: a new puppy, a puppy's first Christmas, KONG or Nylabone chew toys?.
A mixed set of rope toys to swap every few days
4.5 on Amazon · 7,909 ratings · 1K+ bought last month · #2 in Toy Ropes for Dogs · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Limited time deal
Dogs Trust suggests mixing rope, rubber and soft toys and swapping them every couple of days to keep a puppy interested, and Battersea lists a long rope toy among the things to put in a mouthy puppy's mouth. This set holds ten cotton rope toys for small and medium dogs, the listing says. PDSA says to check toys often and throw out any that are coming apart.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- A lot of toys for the money, with a good mix to rotate(7 of 8 reviews)
- Puppies enjoy carrying, gnawing and playing with the set(5 of 8 reviews)
- The rope toys are better made than the low price suggests(4 of 8 reviews)
Watch out for
- Some pieces, such as the plush duck, get pulled apart and shed cotton(3 of 8 reviews)
Our summary of the 8 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Weight
- 700 g
- Material
- Cotton
- Made for
- medium dogs
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 31 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 31 of them, including today.
A gate to step behind when the nipping gets too much
Regalo Easy Step gate, 73.6 to 95.5cm
4.3 on Amazon · 103,734 ratings · 9K+ bought last month · #1 in Door & Stair Gates · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Dogs Trust says you can use a door or stairgate to separate yourself from a puppy that keeps following you and mouthing at your feet or clothes. This metal gate is pressure mounted with a walk-through door, and the listing says it fits openings of 73.6 to 76.2cm, or 90 to 95.5cm with the extension included. Measure the doorway before you order.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Pressure fitted in minutes, with no drilling into the walls(9 of 13 reviews)
- Adults open it one handed, yet the latch holds firm(8 of 13 reviews)
- Keeps dogs out of the rooms and stairs you close off(5 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Lighter and less robust than drilled gates(3 of 13 reviews)
- Some found it tricky to line up and fit(2 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Weight
- 4.1 kg
- Material
- Metal
- Made for
- small to medium dog breeds dogs
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 51 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 2 of them.
Also recommended on: a new puppy.
This week
A lick mat for quiet time after play
4.3 on Amazon · 3,283 ratings · 1K+ bought last month · #4 in Feeding Mats for Dogs · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Limited time deal
After lively play, Dogs Trust suggests a stuffed feeder, a licking mat or a long-lasting chew. These two silicone mats have suction cups and go in the dishwasher, the listing says. The listing also says it is not a chew toy, so stay with your puppy and lift the mat away once it is licked clean.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Keeps puppies and dogs occupied for a good while(5 of 9 reviews)
- Can be spread with food and frozen ahead of time(2 of 9 reviews)
- Quick to fill and simple to clean afterwards(3 of 9 reviews)
Watch out for
- Smaller than several buyers expected, so check the size(2 of 9 reviews)
Our summary of the 9 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Material
- Silicone
- Pack
- pack of 2
- In the box
- spatula
- Care
- Machine Wash
- Warranty
- 1 year
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 31 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 24 of them, including today.
A small soft toy for play while you watch
4.6 on Amazon · 14,849 ratings · 1K+ bought last month · #4 in Plush Toys for Dogs · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Always "on offer"31 of 31 days
Dogs Trust includes soft toys in the mix, and PDSA says soft toys are only meant for supervised play. This light cord plush has a squeaker and is sized for small dogs. The listing says it is strong but not indestructible, so check it for wear and replace it once it is damaged. Choose something larger for a big breed.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Soft and light, a good size for young puppies and small breeds(6 of 13 reviews)
- Puppies carry it about and cuddle up with it to sleep(3 of 13 reviews)
- Survives daily puppy play better than owners expected(5 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Strong chewers such as staffies can rip it open quickly(2 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 17 x 17 x 16 cm
- Weight
- 70 g
- Material
- Cord
- Made for
- small dogs
- In the box
- Freddi Plush Toy
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 31 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 31 of them, including today.
Also recommended on: a puppy's first Christmas.
Later
When the adult teeth are through.
An adult rubber chew once the puppy teeth have gone
4.5 on Amazon · 87,347 ratings · 2K+ bought last month · #2 in Chew Toys for Dogs · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Dogs Trust says adult teeth are usually all through by about seven months. After that, move on to an adult rubber toy in the right size. This KONG Classic is for medium dogs, and its listing calls the red rubber ultra-durable and says to select the correct size and supervise play. PDSA's rule still applies: bigger than the dog's throat.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Tough rubber that stands up to heavy chewers(10 of 13 reviews)
- Stuffed with food, it keeps a dog busy for a long time(8 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Smaller sizes are emptied fast; a bigger one lasts longer(2 of 13 reviews)
- Fiddly to clean food out of the inside and the small hole(2 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 17 x 10 x 5.7 cm
- Weight
- 110 g
- Material
- Natural Rubber
- Made for
- medium dogs
- In the box
- KONG Natural Rubber
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 30 days; Amazon showed no discount of 10% or more on any of them.
Also recommended on: Bonfire Night with a dog, a dog, Kong or lick mat?.
Can wait
- Long-lasting edible chews. Dogs Trust mentions them, and PDSA says a chew treat should be soft enough to indent with your fingernail, given only now and then, and one the dog actually chews rather than gulps. The rubber chew covers the first weeks; add edible chews once you know how your puppy chews.
Skip it
- SkipRawhide chewsPDSA says rawhide can break into large pieces that are swallowed and cause a blockage, and recommends steering clear.
- SkipBonesPDSA says bones are not a good chew, because they can break teeth or splinter in the stomach and pierce the gut.
- SkipAntlers, yak chews and hard nylon bonesPDSA says a chew should be soft enough to indent with your fingernail, because anything harder is too hard for a dog to chew safely. Try the fingernail test on any chew before your puppy gets it.
Quick questions
When do puppies stop teething?
Usually by about seven months. Dogs Trust says puppy teeth start to fall out at around 12 weeks and the adult teeth are usually all through by seven months, though it varies with size. Battersea says most puppies start to grow out of mouthing by five to six months, while larger breeds can carry on into their first year and sometimes up to 18 to 24 months.
What can I give my puppy for teething?
Toys made for chewing, in the right size. Dogs Trust suggests a mix of rope, rubber and soft toys, swapped every couple of days, and a stuffed feeder, licking mat or long-lasting chew after lively play. PDSA says anything you give should be bigger than the throat and soft enough to dent with a fingernail.
What size chew toy does a puppy need?
Bigger than the throat, and big enough that the puppy carries it without the whole thing in its mouth, PDSA says. The KONG listings add that power chewers may need one or two sizes up. Check again as the puppy grows.
Are rawhide and bones OK for a teething puppy?
PDSA says no to both. Rawhide can break into large pieces that are swallowed and cause a blockage, and bones can break teeth or splinter in the stomach. It suggests chews soft enough to indent with a fingernail instead.
How do I stop my teething puppy biting me?
Give its mouth something else first. Dogs Trust says to give your puppy a chew or toy to redirect to when it tries to bite hands, and to offer the toy before the mouthing starts. If it keeps following you and mouthing, Dogs Trust suggests stepping behind a door or stairgate for a moment. Battersea says mouthing should reduce steadily, not become more frequent or intense.
Sources: Dogs Trust: puppy mouthing, nipping and teething (checked 17 October 2026); PDSA: how to train my dog not to chew my things (checked 17 October 2026); PDSA: exercising your dog, choosing toys (checked 27 September 2026); Battersea: how to stop a puppy mouthing or biting (checked 17 October 2026).
