Chewing is a vital part of puppy development. By choosing the right chews at the right age, you can support teething, protect dental health, and prevent destructive behavior.
Puppies chew as part of natural development. It helps with puppy teething relief, provides mental stimulation, and supports dental health. The type of chew a puppy needs depends on age and stage of growth.
Under three months, puppies have delicate gums and require soft, chilled options such as frozen towel knots, carrot sticks, or gentle teething chews for puppies. From eight weeks onward, they can begin safe, natural, and digestible puppy chews like cow ears, rabbit ears, pork spaghetti sticks, and fish skin thins. As they transition from baby teeth to adult teeth, firmer options such as pizzles and lamb muscle chews can be introduced for long lasting puppy chews that satisfy their chewing instincts.
Some chews should be approached with caution. Yak chews are only suitable after adult teeth have come in, usually around four to six months. Antlers are too hard and can fracture teeth, while rawhide carries risks of choking, digestive blockages, and chemical treatments.
Safe chewing practices are essential. Puppies should always be supervised, have access to water, and chews should be rotated for variety and nutrition. Small pieces must be discarded to prevent choking, and toys or reusable chews should be cleaned regularly.
It is also important to distinguish between edible chews for puppies and chew toys. Edible chews provide nutritional benefits, while chew toys offer teething relief without being consumed. Both play a role in healthy puppy development.
The right chews not only satisfy the urge to chew but also clean teeth, strengthen jaws, and support overall growth. Nutritious options such as fish skins and grain-free puppy treats like chicken necks also contribute to healthy skin, coat, and bones.
With the right balance of safe puppy chews UK options, long lasting puppy chews, and natural dog chews for puppies, chewing becomes both safe and beneficial, contributing to a healthier and happier dog.
🐄 1. Natural Puppy-Safe Pizzle Sticks aka Bully Sticks
Pizzle sticks (bully sticks) are one of the best natural chews for puppies. Unlike standard bully sticks, puppy-safe pizzles (standard pizzles) are softer, thinner, and easier to chew, making them perfect for delicate puppy teeth.
🔹 Benefits:
✔️ Highly digestible & rich in protein
✔️ Gently scrapes plaque off teeth
✔️ Natural & free from chemicals
✔️ Lasts longer than soft treats but is still gentle on teeth
👉 Tip: Start with thinner pizzles for young puppies and gradually introduce thicker chews as their jaws strengthen.
🐇 2. Dried Rabbit Ears – A Gentle, Tasty Chew
Rabbit ears are a fantastic first chew for puppies. They’re light, easy to digest, and gentle on small teeth, making them a safe and satisfying option.
🔹 Benefits:
✔️ Soft yet durable enough for extended chewing
✔️ Naturally low in fat and high in protein
✔️ Some varieties contain fur, which can aid digestion
✔️ No artificial additives or preservatives
👉 Tip: If your puppy has a sensitive stomach, opt for fur-free rabbit ears, as they are even easier to digest.
🐄 3. Beef Tendons – The Longer-Lasting Option
Beef tendons are softer than bones but tougher than typical puppy treats, making them a great in-between chew. They naturally clean teeth and are packed with collagen, which supports healthy joints and skin.
🔹 Benefits:
✔️ Long-lasting but safe for puppy teeth
✔️ Natural source of glucosamine for joint support
✔️ Low in fat but rich in protein
✔️ Free from artificial additives and easy to digest
👉 Tip: Look for air-dried beef tendons rather than smoked or processed ones, as they retain more nutrients and have a milder scent.
❌ What NOT to Give Puppies
Some chews can be too hard for puppy teeth or cause digestive issues. Avoid:
❌ Rawhide – Often chemically processed and can cause choking or blockages
❌ Hard bones – Can break puppy teeth or splinter into dangerous shards
❌ Cooked bones – Brittle and prone to splintering
❌ High-fat chews (like pig ears) – While great for adult dogs, they may be too rich for some puppies
⭐ Puppy Chew Box – Try a Variety of Safe Chews
Not sure which chew is best for your puppy? Try a curated Puppy Chew Box, featuring a variety of puppy-safe chews so you can discover your pup’s favourites while keeping their teething needs in check.
Remember the Puppy Chewing Golden Rules:
✅ Refresh – Always provide fresh water while your puppy chews
✅ Reconnect – Supervise chewing to ensure safety
✅ Remove – Discard small pieces to prevent choking
For personalised advice, our team is always happy to help you find the perfect chew for your puppy!
🐶 Explore our full range of puppy-safe chews today or try a customisable Puppy Chewbox!
Why Puppies Chew: Behavior, Teething, and Development
Chewing is a natural and essential behavior for puppies. It begins as early as eight weeks and continues through the teething period, which usually lasts until six months of age.
Chewing serves several purposes:
- It relieves discomfort and provides puppy teething relief
- It helps puppies explore their environment
- It provides mental stimulation and prevents boredom
- It promotes dental health by reducing plaque buildup
Understanding why puppies chew is the foundation for selecting puppy chewing solutions that are safe and effective.
Age-Based Puppy Chewing Needs
Chews for Puppies Under 3 Months
Very young puppies have sensitive gums and baby teeth. At this age, avoid hard chews such as bones, antlers, and yak chews. Instead, offer softer and cooling options such as frozen towel knots, chilled carrot sticks, or puppy-specific teething chews for puppies.
Chews for Puppies 8 Weeks and Older
At around eight weeks, puppies can begin to enjoy edible chews for puppies that are gentle on their developing teeth. Options include rabbit ears without fur, cow ears, pork spaghetti sticks, and fish skin thins. These digestible puppy chews are both safe and nutritious.
Transitioning from Baby Teeth to Adult Teeth
As permanent teeth emerge between three and six months, puppies can progress to firmer chews such as pizzles (bully sticks) or lamb muscle chews. These are some of the best puppy chews UK owners trust for durability and taste.
Natural Chews for Puppies and Their Benefits
Digestible Chews
Cow ears, rabbit ears, and pork spaghetti sticks are soft yet satisfying. They are easy to digest and are popular natural dog chews for puppies. They provide protein without excessive fat, making them ideal for sensitive tummies.
Long-Lasting Chews
Pizzles and lamb muscle chews last longer than softer options. These long lasting puppy chews keep puppies engaged while discouraging destructive chewing on household items.
Nutritional Chews
Fish skin thins are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, while chicken necks provide natural calcium. Choosing grain-free puppy treats ensures digestibility and reduces allergy risks.
By selecting safe puppy chews UK, owners can provide both comfort and nutrition during the teething stage.
Chews to Approach with Caution
Are Yak Chews Safe for Puppies?
Yak chews are made from hardened yak and cow milk. While marketed as long lasting dog chews, they are too hard for puppies under six months. Wait until adult teeth are in place.
Are Antlers Safe for Puppies?
Antlers are extremely hard and pose risks of fractures and splintering. Unlike non splintering dog chews, they can injure a puppy’s mouth and are not recommended.
Why Rawhide Is Not Recommended
Rawhide breaks into chunks, causes blockages, and is treated with chemicals. With plenty of natural dog chews for puppies available, rawhide should be avoided.
Safe Chewing Practices for Puppies
Supervision and Duration
Puppies should be supervised during chewing sessions of 10 to 20 minutes.
Hydration and Digestibility
Fresh water should always be available, especially with digestible puppy chews.
Rotation and Variety of Chews
Rotate chews for variety and nutrition. Mix softer edible chews for puppies with long lasting puppy chews.
Storing and Cleaning Chews
Store in a dry place, discard small pieces, and clean reusable toys to prevent health risks.
Puppy Chews vs Chew Toys: What Is the Difference?
Edible Puppy Chews
Examples include rabbit ears, cow ears, and pizzles. These edible chews for puppies provide nutrition as well as chewing satisfaction.
Non-Edible Puppy Toys
Durable toys such as rubber or nylon options are non splintering dog chews designed for safe chewing without being consumed.
When to Use Chews vs Toys
Edible chews are best for nutrition and teething relief. Non-edible chew toys are best for supervised play. Both are part of effective puppy chewing solutions.
Dental and Health Benefits of Puppy Chews
Safe puppy chews reduce plaque and tartar, massage gums, and strengthen jaws.
Natural dog chews for puppies like fish skins and chicken necks provide additional nutrients, such as Omega-3 fatty acids and calcium. Combined with grain-free puppy treats, they promote strong bones, healthy skin, and shiny coats.
Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Chews
When can puppies have yak chews?
From four to six months, once adult teeth have developed.
Are antlers safe for puppies?
No, they are too hard and unsafe compared to non splintering dog chews.
What chews are safe under 3 months?
Soft, chilled options such as frozen towel knots, carrot sticks, and teething chews for puppies.
Can puppies eat rabbit ears?
Yes, from eight weeks. Start with fur-free ears.
Is rawhide safe for puppies?
No, rawhide poses choking and digestive risks.