Best Treats for Puppy Teething and Sore Gums

A puppy can turn from contentedly snoozing to chewing the table leg in the time it takes to make a cup of tea. Teething is a short-lived stage, but sore gums, increased chewing and the occasional lost baby tooth can make it feel rather longer. The best treats for puppy teething give your dog a safe outlet for that instinct while fitting sensibly into a nourishing daily diet.

It is tempting to reach for the toughest chew available. Yet during this stage, harder is not always better. A young puppy's mouth is still developing, and overly hard treats can be uncomfortable or may damage teeth. The right choice is one that offers satisfying chew time, a suitable texture and ingredients you would feel good about feeding every day.

What makes a good teething treat?

A useful teething treat should be appropriately sized for your puppy and designed to be chewed rather than swallowed in large pieces. It needs enough give to be kind to tender gums, but enough structure to keep a busy mouth occupied. For many puppies, a gently chewy, softer treat is more comfortable than a very hard biscuit, antler or bone.

Ingredients matter too. Treats count towards your puppy's total food intake, especially when they are used repeatedly through the day for reassurance, redirection or training. Look for clearly named meat or fish ingredients, a straightforward recipe and no unnecessary fillers. High-quality protein supports healthy growth, while a recipe with a considered calorie level helps you reward generously without accidentally overfeeding.

The best texture varies between puppies. A Labrador puppy may work enthusiastically through a larger chew, while a small breed puppy might be better with a softer, smaller option. Age, jaw size, chewing style and how quickly your puppy eats all make a difference.

Best treats for puppy teething: textures to choose

Soft, meaty training treats

Small, soft treats are not a long-lasting chew, but they are invaluable during teething. Puppies can be more distracted, mouthier and less patient when their gums are uncomfortable. Bite-sized treats let you reward calm behaviour, redirect nipping onto an appropriate activity and keep early training positive without making your puppy work through a hard snack.

Choose treats that can be broken into tiny pieces. This is particularly helpful for toilet training, recall and settling practice, where several rewards may be needed in a single session. Strong-smelling meat or fish recipes tend to hold a puppy's attention well, meaning you can use smaller pieces while still making the reward feel worthwhile.

Gently chewy strips and bites

Softer, chewy treats offer more time and satisfaction than training pieces, without asking sore gums to tackle a rock-hard surface. They can be a good option for puppies who are constantly looking for something to mouth, particularly during the peak teething months.

Always choose a size that matches your puppy. A treat that disappears in seconds is less likely to meet their chewing need, while one that is too large or tough can become frustrating. Stay nearby and remove the last small piece if it could be swallowed whole.

Stuffable enrichment treats

Food-based enrichment can be one of the kindest ways to help a teething puppy settle. A puppy-safe rubber toy filled with a small portion of their usual complete food, softened with warm water, gives them something purposeful to lick and chew. It slows eating, provides mental stimulation and helps move attention away from skirting boards and slippers.

For a cooling effect, chill the filled toy in the fridge. Avoid freezing it solid for a young puppy, as a very hard frozen filling can be too demanding on tender teeth. Keep the portion modest and take it from their daily food allowance rather than adding extra calories on top.

Chilled natural options, used carefully

Some puppies enjoy a refrigerated cucumber baton or a little mashed, dog-safe fruit spread thinly inside an enrichment toy. These are not complete treats and should not replace a balanced puppy diet, but they can offer variety on warm days.

Avoid giving large chunks that could break off and be gulped. Raw carrot is often suggested for teething, but it is quite hard for some puppies and may not suit a vigorous chewer. If you offer fresh food, keep it simple, supervise closely and introduce only one new item at a time so you can spot any digestive upset.

Treats and chews to avoid while teeth are changing

The urge to chew is normal. The answer is not to give puppies anything tough enough to withstand it. Very hard chews can pose a risk to developing teeth, while cooked bones can splinter and cause serious harm. Avoid bones, antlers, hooves, hard nylon chews and anything that cannot be marked with a fingernail or has no flexibility at all.

Be cautious with rawhide too. Quality and digestibility can vary widely, and some puppies tear off pieces faster than owners expect. Chews made with highly processed ingredients, added sugar, artificial colours or vague meat derivatives are also a poor fit for a puppy whose digestive system is still maturing.

Do not leave any edible chew with your puppy unsupervised, regardless of its label. Even a treat that was right yesterday may become a choking hazard once it has been reduced to a small, slippery end piece. Calm supervision is part of safe chewing, not an optional extra.

How much should you give a teething puppy?

Teething can make treats feel essential, but they should usually make up no more than around 10% of your puppy's daily calorie intake. The rest should come from a complete puppy food formulated to support growth. If your puppy has a stuffed toy, a chew and training rewards on the same day, reduce their mealtime portion accordingly.

This does not mean you need to turn every reward into a calculation. Start by setting aside a daily treat allowance in the morning. Use part for training, reserve part for a quiet chew after a walk or nap, and include some of their normal kibble where appropriate. This approach keeps feeding consistent and makes it easier to notice if your puppy's appetite, stools or body condition changes.

A puppy who is losing teeth or has especially sore gums may prefer their usual food softened with warm water for a few days. A temporary change in chewing enthusiasm can be normal, but refusing food, persistent bleeding, a bad smell from the mouth, swelling or obvious pain warrants a call to your vet.

Making teething easier beyond treats

Treats work best as one part of a calm, predictable routine. Keep a few safe chewing options available and offer one before your puppy gets overtired. Puppies often become more mouthy when they need sleep, so an appropriate chew in their bed or crate can help them wind down rather than search for mischief.

Rotate options every few days to keep them interesting, and praise your puppy whenever they choose their own chew instead of household items. There is no need to tell them off for teething behaviour. Quietly swap the forbidden object for the right one, then reward the choice you want repeated.

When choosing from a premium treat range, prioritise a clearly labelled, naturally nourishing recipe and a texture suited to your puppy's current stage. At Country Barn, the same principle applies across thoughtful feeding: purposeful ingredients should support everyday wellbeing, not simply fill a packet.

Your puppy will not teethe forever, even if the chair legs suggest otherwise. Offer safe choices, keep portions balanced and stay close during chew time. With a little patience, you can protect both their comfort and their growing confidence around food.