Best Puppy Toys for Teething, Chewing and Play
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The best puppy toys match the job: a soft chew for teething, a plush or puzzle toy for play, and a comfort toy for rest. Most puppies need a mix, not one perfect toy. This guide compares eight listings, from soft Nylabone teething chews and a six-piece rubber set to a plush hide-and-seek puzzle, a heartbeat comfort toy and a treat puzzle, using only what each listing states about size, material and intended use.
Quick answer
- For teething on a gentle chewer: the soft Nylabone puppy chews, sold as a ring bone in X-Small and Medium, a pacifier and a dinosaur. The listings describe them as freezer-friendly.
- For variety in one purchase: the CGBD six-pack of natural rubber chews, listed for puppies and small dogs.
- For play and brain work: the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel plush puzzle or the Yoboeew treat puzzle.
- For rest and crate time: the Snuggle Puppy heartbeat toy, which the listing says is not a chew toy.
How to choose puppy toys
Match the toy to your puppy’s size
Size information is the clearest thing the listings give. The Nylabone ring bone comes in X-Small for puppies up to 15 pounds and Medium for puppies up to 35 pounds. The Nylabone pacifier and the small dinosaur are listed for dogs up to 25 pounds. The Snuggle Puppy Medium is sized for dogs 25 to 70 pounds. The CGBD set is for puppies and small dogs and is not recommended for large breeds. A toy that is too small for a puppy’s mouth is a risk, and one that is too big will not be used, so check the weight range before you buy.
Know what each toy is for
A teething chew, a plush toy, a puzzle and a comfort toy are different tools. The Nylabone listings say the toys are made in soft material for teething puppies with gentle chewing styles, and add that they are not intended for powerful puppies or puppies with adult teeth. The Outward Hound listing includes the line that no toy is indestructible and that toys should not be left with unsupervised pets. The Yoboeew listing says it is not for chewing. The Snuggle Puppy listing says it is not a chew toy and that the heart should be removed before unsupervised play. Reading those limits matters more than the label on the box.
Supervision and replacement
Toys wear out. Remove and replace any toy that is torn, cracked or losing pieces, as the Outward Hound listing says. Supervise chewing, especially with a new toy. Our guide to chew toys that are safe for puppies goes further on that topic. If your puppy is in pain, has swollen gums or is not eating, that is a question for a vet and not a toy.
Freezable and flavored chews
Three Nylabone chews are described as freezer-friendly: the ring bone in both sizes and the dinosaur. The listings suggest chilling the toy for extra soothing teething relief. They are also flavored: chicken for the ring bones and the dinosaur, bacon for the pacifier. The CGBD listing does not mention freezing or flavor, so do not assume it.
Comparison table
| Toy | Type | Size or weight range stated | Material stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nylabone Ring Bone, X-Small | Soft chew | Puppies up to 15 lbs | Polyurethane |
| Nylabone Ring Bone, Medium | Soft chew | Puppies up to 35 lbs | Polyurethane |
| Nylabone Puppy Pacifier | Soft chew | Puppies up to 25 lbs | Polyurethane |
| Nylabone Dental Dinosaur, Small | Soft chew | Small, up to 25 lbs | Polyurethane |
| CGBD 6-pack chews | Rubber chews | Puppies and small dogs | Natural rubber (silicone also listed) |
| Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel XL | Plush puzzle | All breed sizes | Polyester |
| Snuggle Puppy Medium | Heartbeat comfort toy | Dogs 25 to 70 lbs | Polyester |
| Yoboeew treat puzzle | Treat dispenser | Beginners, puppies, small dogs | Polypropylene |
The picks
Nylabone Puppy Chew Teething Ring Bone, X-Small
This is the smallest of the Nylabone chews. The listing describes a ring bone with ridges and nubs, made in soft material for puppies with gentle chewing styles, flavored with chicken and made in New Jersey. It is sized for puppies up to 15 pounds. It is polyurethane, weighs 1.28 ounces and measures 6.9 by 3.6 by 0.7 inches. The listing calls it freezer-friendly and says it is not water resistant. It lists a manufacturer-recommended age of one month and up and a satisfaction guarantee for replacement. A reasonable choice for toy breeds and very small puppies. Our Nylabone ring bone review goes into more detail.
Nylabone Puppy Chew Teething Ring Bone, Medium
The same design in a larger size, for puppies up to 35 pounds. It is listed at 7.9 by 4.3 by 1 inches and 4 ounces, in chicken flavor, with the same soft-material and gentle-chewer language and the same freezer-friendly note. Choose this over the X-Small if your puppy is closer to the upper weight range, since the listing ties each size to a weight limit. Best for medium-breed puppies who chew gently.
Nylabone Puppy Pacifier Chew Toy
The pacifier is a ring-shaped chew for puppies up to 25 pounds. The listing says it has nubs for gums and teeth, bacon flavor, and measures 6 inches long by 1.25 wide by 1.5 high in the bullet text (the dimension field gives a larger 8.4 by 3.9 by 1.7 inches, so the two figures do not agree). The weight is 3.53 ounces and the material is polyurethane. As with the other Nylabone puppy chews, it is described as meant for gentle chewing styles. The recommended uses are chewing, teething and training. Our pacifier review covers it separately. Best for small puppies who like a flavored ring.
Nylabone Puppy Chew Dental Dinosaur, Small
A dinosaur-shaped chew with ridges and nubs, listed for the small size at up to 25 pounds. It is chicken flavored, polyurethane, 2.88 ounces and 7 by 5.5 by 1.3 inches. The listing says it is freezer-friendly and describes it as water resistant, which the ring bones are not. It is for gentle chewers and not for powerful puppies or puppies with adult teeth, according to the listing. Best for owners who want a different shape from the ring bones.
CGBD 6 Pack Puppy Teething Chew Toys
This is the value-of-variety option: six different shapes in one set, each with molar bumps, made from natural rubber, which the listing calls non-toxic and BPA-free. The set weighs 12.6 ounces and is listed at 7.5 by 1.9 by 7.5 inches. It is meant for puppies and small dogs, and the listing says it is not recommended for large breeds or for extremely aggressive chewers, and that it should be used under supervision for aggressive chewers. The warranty is stated as 30 days. The pack is pink. Material fields also mention silicone, so rely on the bullet text, which names natural rubber. Best for small puppies who like to switch between textures.
Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Plush Squeaky Toy, XL
A plush tree trunk that holds six squeaky squirrels. The puppy finds and tugs them out, which the listing calls a hide-and-seek puzzle that engages hunting instincts. The XL trunk is listed at 12.6 by 7.1 by 7.1 inches, weighs 4.9 ounces, is polyester and is listed for all breed sizes. The listing states a recommended age of 12 months and up, which means it is not aimed at young puppies in the pack data; check this before buying for a very young pup. The listing warns that no toy is indestructible and that toys should not be left with unsupervised pets. Our plush toy comparison looks at it next to a heartbeat toy. Best for light chewers who like to find things.
Snuggle Puppy Heartbeat Toy, Medium (Biscuit)
This is a comfort toy, not a chew. The listing describes a 12 by 8 inch plush sized for dogs 25 to 70 pounds with a battery-powered heartbeat, a disposable heat pack that stays in the belly pouch for up to 24 hours, and a machine-washable cover. The heart unit and heat pack must be removed before washing. The listing says to remove the heart before unsupervised play. It also notes that the toy is for rest, crate time or overnight use. The listing text mentions both AAA and AA batteries in different places, so confirm on the product page. The warranty field says no warranty applies. The Junior size is listed for small breeds, so if you have a small puppy, look at that size rather than this one. Because a heat pack is involved, follow the maker’s directions closely and ask your vet about any concern. Best for puppies who struggle with the first nights or crate time.
Yoboeew Interactive Dog Puzzle Toy
A round treat puzzle for beginners. It is a blue plastic disc, 10 by 10 by 1.1 inches, 335 grams, with 15 holes for about 3/4 cup of food. The listing says it is made of polypropylene, is dishwasher safe, has no removable parts, and is for puppies and small dogs. It lists the play time as about 15 to 20 minutes and says plainly that it is not for chewing and not for pick-up play. That limit matters: use it for slow feeding and training, and take it away if your puppy starts to chew it. The level is listed as 1 to 3. Best for puppies that need something to do with their brain between naps.
Which toy for which situation
A puppy who chews everything
Give a chew toy sized to the puppy and keep valuable items out of reach. A soft chew with a flavor can be more interesting than a household object, and the listings for chicken and bacon flavored Nylabone toys say they may help reduce mouthing of household items. The listing does not promise results, so treat it as a possibility. For more help, see our post on puppies who chew everything except toys.
A breed-specific need
Large and strong puppies change the picture. The Nylabone listings say the soft toys are not for powerful puppies. If you have a big breed, read the dedicated guide to teething toys for German Shepherd puppies before relying on a soft chew.
A puppy who cries at night
The Snuggle Puppy listing is aimed at the first nights home, crate training and bedtime. It is a comfort aid and nothing more. Persistent distress, not eating or odd behavior should be discussed with a vet.
A bored puppy on a rainy day
The Yoboeew puzzle and the Outward Hound plush both give the puppy a job. Use the puzzle with a small portion of the puppy’s regular food, and keep an eye on the plush for torn seams.
Safety habits that apply to every toy
Pick the right size, supervise new toys, and rotate them so the puppy is not left with a single worn item. Check toys each day for cracks, tears or loose parts. Wash chews as the listing allows: the Yoboeew is listed as dishwasher safe and the Snuggle Puppy cover as machine washable, while the other listings give no cleaning guidance. Never give a toy to a puppy that it was not made for, and follow every age or weight note on the listing. Teething can overlap with other health issues, so ask a vet if the gums look sore or a tooth looks wrong.
FAQ
What are the best puppy toys for teething?
Soft chews made for puppies, such as the Nylabone ring bone, pacifier and dinosaur, or the CGBD rubber set for small puppies. The Nylabone listings describe them as freezer-friendly. They are for gentle chewers, according to the listings.
Can I freeze puppy teething toys?
The ring bone chews and the dinosaur are described as freezer-friendly in their listings. The pack does not say the same for the pacifier or the CGBD set, so check before freezing those.
Are these toys safe for every puppy?
No toy is. The listings carry limits: not for powerful puppies, not for large breeds, not for unsupervised play, not for chewing. Choose by size, watch your puppy and replace damaged toys.
Is a heartbeat toy a chew toy?
No. Per its listing it is a comfort toy for rest, and the heart unit comes out before the puppy plays alone.
How do I know what size to buy?
Use the weight range on each listing: the X-Small ring bone is up to 15 lbs, the pacifier and small dinosaur are up to 25 lbs, the Medium ring bone is up to 35 lbs, and the Snuggle Puppy Medium is 25 to 70 lbs.
What if my puppy ignores the toy?
Try a different type, such as a flavored chew in place of a plush toy, or a treat puzzle in place of a chew. If the puppy seems unwell or refuses all chewing, ask a vet.
Bottom line
Buy by size and purpose. Choose a soft Nylabone chew or the CGBD set for gentle teething, a plush or treat puzzle for play, and the Snuggle Puppy for rest. Read the weight range and the safety note on every listing, supervise, and replace what wears out.
