From rubber toys to rope toys, freezable toys to food-dispensing toys, here are our top picks of the best toys for puppies in Australia that’ll not only save your furniture but also help keep your puppy happy (and you sane).
Much like babies, puppies learn a lot about the new world around them through their mouths, and it’s often the case that your hands, feet and furniture will bear the brunt of this mouth exploration. That’s why finding the best chew toys for your new puppy is a must for new dog owners and pet parents – not only for the mental development and happiness of your puppy but also for the sake of your limbs (and mental health, to be quite frank).
Puppy toys come in handy when your pup is about to reach for your shoes, kitchen table or hand and are a great way to distract them with something they’re allowed to chew. It might take some time (be strong, you can get through it!), but they’ll soon realise what’s allowed to be chewed and what’s not, and will reach for their own toys when the urge to chew arises.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best new toys for puppies in Australia, from long-lasting to natural rubber, interactive dog toys, teething toys for baby teeth, dog puzzle toys and more. We’ve broken it down into the different types of toys available (you’ll find most dogs have a preference for certain types of toys).
1. Rope Toys
Most puppies love to play tug-of-war because it plays into their prey drive instinct. Tugging is a great way to let puppies practise “capturing their prey”. It’s an excellent game because not only does it tire them out (making them less likely to be bored and look for something fun to chew that they shouldn’t) but it also teaches them important puppy skills.
Rope toys come in all shapes and sizes (so make sure you find the right size for your pup based on their breed. From knot ropes to ring ropes or even homemade ropes (you can make it out of an old tshirt), rope play is a great way to engage with your puppy, tucker them out and actually forge a deeper bond between the both of you.
Recommended Rope Toys
2. Rubber Toys
Rubber toys are one of the best puppy toys to help with teething, especially if you have a breed that loves to really rip into soft toys and tear them up (Labrador owners, ya feel me?) Puppies have incredibly sharp teeth, so strong and durable rubber toys are important to ensure your pup doesn’t bite off small bits and ingest them. Rubber toys come in all shapes and sizes, with some even good for helping clean your puppy’s teeth as they chew.
Recommended Rubber Toys
3. Freezable Toys
Like with babies, your puppies’ gums will be pretty sore as their adult teeth are growing in, so puppy toys that can be chucked in the freezer are a great option to soothe their aches and pains. You can soak rope toys in water and freeze them, or my favourite thing to do is soak some kibble, puree it, stuff it in a Kong toy, freeze it and then give it to my puppy as a treat. Licking and chewing the kibble out is great for their brain and teeth, so you’re sure to have one happy puppy on your hands.
Recommended Freezable Toys
4. Food Dispensing Toys
Sometimes with really young puppies, no matter how much you wave a new and exciting toy in their face, they still want to chew on your clothes, shoes, pillows or hands. That’s where food dispensing toys come in handy, like a Kong or teething stick. You can lather some PB onto a teething stick, or even stuff some inside a Kong to keep your puppy really excited and engaged. This also provides great mental stimulation for your pup, so it’s an overall win-win.
Recommended Food Dispensing Toys
5. Toys That Taste Good
Bully Sticks and Tasty Bones are great ways to make sure your puppy chews on their own toys and not your furniture (also less messy than peanut butter!). Tasty chew toys are designed to last for a long time and are packed with flavour to keep your puppy coming back for more. Just be mindful to watch how small the bone or toy is getting and it will eventually become small enough for your puppy to swallow and can be a choking hazard.
Recommended Tasty Toys
Best Toys for Puppies FAQs
Why do puppies chew everything?
Puppies chew for several reasons, most commonly to alleviate teething discomfort and because it’s a way to investigate interesting objects. When does the intense puppy chewing stage end? Usually around 6 months of age, but you can still expect some chewing up until 12 months or longer.
How to stop my puppy chewing everything?
A tired puppy is a good puppy! You can stop your puppy chewing everything by making sure they are stimulated and engaged – if your puppy is bored they are more likely to chew for fun. And, sometimes you can’t fully stop the chewing, it’s normal, natural and necessary! In these circumstances, make sure you have the appropriate chew toys on hand (any in this list will do!)
What are the best safe chew toys for puppies?
Rubber chew toys are some of the best and safest toys for puppies (as long as they aren’t too flimsy). The best rubber chew toys are firm enough to stand up to power chewers yet have enough “give” so they don’t cause tooth damage.
The Best Puppy Chew Toys Will Depend on Your Puppy
Finding the best toys for your puppy will be a bit of trial and error – puppies have their own personalities, likes and dislikes so while one puppy might love a rope toy, another might be seriously bored by it. Trial and error will be your friend. As long as you’re mentally stimulating and engaging with your puppy, you’re on the right track.
