Why Do Puppies Love Chewing So Much?
Chewing is completely normal puppy behaviour. Young dogs explore the world with their mouths. And teething can make them even more eager to gnaw on anything they can get their little teeth around.
Puppies start developing their baby teeth when they are very young. Their adult teeth gradually begin replacing them at around three to four months of age. Most puppies have their adult teeth by roughly six to seven months. During this stage, their gums can feel tender and uncomfortable. So, chewing can help provide some relief.
And this is where chew treats and suitable chew toys can become your best friends.
You don’t have to let your puppy remodel the corner of the sofa. You can redirect that chewing energy towards something made for them.
So, Can Puppies Have Chew Treats?
Yes, puppies can have chew treats, provided the treat is specifically suitable for their age, size and chewing ability.
A chew that is perfectly reasonable for a powerful adult dog is far too hard, large or difficult for a puppy.
Puppies have developing teeth and jaws. So, extremely hard chews can potentially damage their teeth. Veterinary guidance commonly recommends avoiding very hard items such as bones, antlers, hard nylon chews and other objects that don't have some give.
In other words, you don’t want to hand your tiny puppy something resembling a piece of concrete and think that they'll be occupied.
A better approach is to look for puppy-specific chew treats and teething products that are appropriate for their developmental stage.
What Makes a Good Puppy Chew Treat?
You have to consider texture, size, ingredients and safety when choosing a chew for your puppy
The chew should be an appropriate size for your puppy. It shouldn’t be something they can gulp down in a couple of bites. It should also be suitable for their chewing strength and not so hard that you can’t make any impression on it.
A softer or more flexible chew can be a better choice during teething than an extremely hard product. Some puppy-friendly teething options can even be chilled or frozen. This can help soothe sore gums.
You should also check the packaging carefully. You can look for treats labelled for puppies and follow the recommended feeding amount. If you're introducing something completely new, start with a small amount and watch how your puppy responds.
And remember that puppies have impressively enthusiastic digestive systems. But that doesn't mean they’re immune to an upset tummy!
Are Chew Treats Good for Teething Puppies?
A suitable chew gives your puppy somewhere appropriate to direct all that chewing energy. This can help you teach an important lesson early on: toys and treats are for chewing; shoes and furniture are not.
Chewing can also provide mental stimulation. A puppy working away at an appropriate chew has something interesting to focus on. This can be handy when they're bored or restless.
However, don't think of puppy chew treats as a dental solution. Puppies still need proper dental care. And chew products shouldn’t replace regular veterinary check-ups or appropriate tooth-brushing routines.
It’s also worth remembering that even a product designed for puppies is not automatically risk-free. Puppies can be surprisingly determined little destroyers. If they start breaking pieces off a chew, you've got to remove it. Don’t go hoping they'll suddenly develop excellent judgment.
What Chews Should Puppies Avoid?
This is where being picky pays off. Hard bones and antlers are best avoided. This is because their hardness can put teeth at risk. Cooked bones can also splinter and cause serious problems if swallowed. Hard nylon products, cow hooves and even ice cubes can also be unsuitable for puppies because of the risk of dental damage.
You should also be cautious with anything that can break into large chunks. A puppy swallowing part of a chew can create a choking hazard or, in some cases, cause an intestinal blockage.
Rawhide, animal parts and other traditional chews aren't automatically safe simply because they're sold as dog treats either. Veterinary guidance notes that different chews can carry risks ranging from choking to gastrointestinal problems.
And if you're unsure whether a chew is appropriate for your puppy, ask your vet before giving it to them.
Always Keep an Eye on Your Little Chewer
You need to supervise your puppy while they're chewing.
Even if your puppy has used the same chew several times without any problems, inspect it regularly. Look for cracks, tears, missing chunks or pieces that could be swallowed.
Your puppy's chewing style matters, too. One pup might gently nibble away while another approaches a chew as though they've been personally challenged to destroy it.
Stop the chewing session if your puppy is managing to rip pieces off and remove the damaged item. Veterinary advice recommends supervising puppies even with recommended chew products because no chew or toy is completely free from risk.
How Many Chew Treats Can a Puppy Have?
Chew treats are still treats. So they shouldn't replace your puppy's normal meals.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association recommends keeping treats, including chews, to less than 10% of a dog's daily calorie intake. The remaining calories should come from a complete and balanced diet.
This is important for puppies because they're growing rapidly and need the right balance of nutrients from their main puppy food.
If your puppy is already receiving treats during training, remember that those calories count too. That tiny chew plus five training treats and the biscuit your family slipped them under the table? Your tiny snack isn't quite so tiny.
Choosing a nutritionally appropriate puppy food for a growing pup should remain the priority. And puppy treats can be used as a tasty extra.
Chew Treats Can Also Help With Training
One of the best things about having appropriate chew treats around is that you can use them to teach good habits.
Don't turn it into an exciting game of tug-of-war if your puppy grabs your slipper. Calmly redirect them towards an appropriate chew and praise them when they take it.
And over time, your puppy starts learning what they’re allowed to chew.
This same approach works when puppies try to chew hands, clothes, furniture or other stuff. Redirect rather than simply expecting them to understand that your favourite sneakers are somehow different from the chew sitting right beside them.
Puppies Can Chew, But You Have to Choose Wisely
So, can puppies have chew treats? Yes.
The important part is choosing something designed or recommended for puppies, selecting the right size and texture, avoiding extremely hard chews, keeping portions sensible and supervising every chewing session.
Your puppy's urge to chew is not bad behaviour. It's a normal part of growing up. Your job is to give that tiny set of jaws somewhere safe and appropriate to put all that enthusiasm.
And if you're stocking up on essentials for a new furry family member, check out Dog Foods at PetBites for everyday nutrition, including options made specifically for growing puppies.
Because a puppy with a suitable chew is much less likely to decide that your brand-new pair of shoes is today's special.
