10 Best Chew Toys For Labrador Puppies (For Teething & Training)
Finding suitable chew toys for your Labrador puppy is essential as they can be helpful to ease teething pain, promote positive emotions and redirect your puppy’s chewing habits.
However, not all toys are safe and suitable for a puppy, it’s important to choose wisely and take into consideration the characteristics of your puppy and the specific needs. Not all toys can be used in every situation, so it’s crucial to be knowledgeable about the right toys for your pup at each stage of development.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What makes a good chew toy
- What to avoid in chew toys
- How to get your puppy to love chewing on chew toys
- And, of course, the best chew toys to give to your Labrador
Let’s dive in!
What Are Chew Toys?
Chew toys are objects that are designed to be safe for dogs to chew on. These toys are typically made of durable materials like rubber, nylon, or rope that can withstand the constant gnawing and biting of a dog’s jaws.
Chew toys can serve multiple purposes such as promoting dental hygiene, providing entertainment, and redirecting destructive chewing behaviors. They come in various shapes, sizes, textures and flavors to cater different dog breeds and their chewing preferences.
Why Do Labrador Puppies Need Chew Toys?
Labrador puppies, like all puppies, go through a teething phase where they will chew on anything they can get their paws on to relieve the discomfort and pain of their new teeth growing in. Chew toys can provide a healthy and safe outlet for this behavior, helping to prevent destructive chewing on household items or furniture.
Additionally, chew toys can also have other benefits for your Labrador puppy:
- Dental hygiene: Chewing on toys can help to clean teeth and massage gums, promoting healthy oral hygiene.
- Mental stimulation: Chew toys can provide mental stimulation for your puppy and keep them occupied and entertained.
- Behavioral benefits: Chew toys can help redirect destructive chewing habits and provide a sense of security for your puppy when left alone.
- Physical benefits: Chewing toys can help strengthen jaw muscles and develop healthy chewing habits.
- Emotional benefits: Chewing toys can help release feel-good hormones and help puppies to relax and reduce anxiety.
It’s important to note that not all chew toys are safe and appropriate for puppies, so it’s important to choose chew toys that are made of durable and non-toxic materials, and the appropriate size and type for your puppy’s age and development stage.
What Makes A Good Chew Toy?
There are two major things to make sure of when choosing a chew toy:
- The toy is safe
- Your puppy likes it
Safe chew toys:
- Aren’t easily destroyed
- Are too big to be swallowed or choked on
- Don’t have movable parts that can be broken off
- Are tough enough to not be torn apart quickly
- Are made of non-toxic materials
And here’s another note on safety…
While some toys may be more durable than others, no toy is completely indestructible, and it’s best to take it away before your puppy can break off and ingest any pieces. This will help to prevent any potential choking hazards or digestive issues. Keep an eye on the toys and replace them as soon as they show signs of wear and tear.
When To Give Your Puppy Chew Toys
It’s best to introduce chew toys to your puppy during the teething stage, which typically begins around 3 to 4 months of age and can last until around 6 to 8 months. During this phase, puppies will experience discomfort and pain as their permanent teeth come in, and they will naturally want to chew on objects to relieve this discomfort. Providing your puppy with appropriate chew toys during this stage can help redirect their chewing behavior and prevent destructive chewing on household items.
It’s also important to note that puppies should always be supervised while they play with chew toys, as they may accidentally ingest small pieces of the toy. It’s also important to choose appropriate size, texture and hardness of the toys according to your puppy’s age and development stage.
How To Get Your Puppy To Love Chew Toys
Here are a few ways to encourage your puppy to love chew toys:
Introduce the toy gradually: Start by showing the toy to your puppy and allowing them to sniff and explore it. Gradually increase their interaction with the toy by playing with it and encouraging them to chew on it.
Make it delicious: Smearing a small amount of peanut butter or cream cheese on the toy can make it more appealing to your puppy. Make sure to use low-salt, xylitol-free options that are safe for dogs.
Play with your puppy: Engage in interactive play with your puppy using their chew toy. This can help to create a positive association with the toy and make it more appealing.
Rotate the toys: Keep your puppy interested in their toys by rotating them and introducing new ones on a regular basis.
Reward your puppy: Reward your puppy with praise, treats, and affection when they show interest in their chew toys.
Keep an Eye on the toys: Keep an eye on the toys, and replace them as soon as they show signs of wear and tear.
It’s important to remember that every puppy is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Be patient and persistent and try different methods, your puppy will eventually find the right chew toy they love.
Dental Toys vs. Chew Toys
Dental toys are a type of chew toys that are designed to promote dental hygiene by cleaning teeth and massaging gums. They typically have raised nubs or ridges on the surface that help to scrape away plaque and tartar buildup as your dog chews.
It’s worth noting that not all chew toys are dental toys, as some chew toys may not have these specific features. Some of the toys mentioned below may be both dental toys and chew toys, which can provide the added benefits of promoting oral hygiene while satisfying your dog’s natural urge to chew.
Best Chew Toys For Labrador Puppies
Here are a few examples of chew toys that have proven to be popular among puppies, including my lab, it is important to note that as a puppy each dog has different preferences and what worked for my lab may not work for other puppies, it’s always best to monitor your puppy’s reaction when introducing a new toy and supervision is important when the puppy is playing with any toy, especially for the first time:
Nylabone Teething Ring
As a puppy, my lab enjoyed playing with this particular toy. He would often carry it around the house and play with it by swinging it and once he was tired, he would lay down and chew on the keys. This toy provided a source of entertainment and stimulation for my lab during his puppyhood.
Benebone Wishbone
One of the toys that my Labrador enjoys chewing on is this particular one. It’s made of a durable and sturdy material that can withstand heavy chewing, making it a reliable option for unsupervised play in the crate. My lab seems to really enjoy playing and chewing on this toy, it’s a good option to have when you need to leave him alone for some time.
Kong Goodie Bone
The Kong Goodie Bone is an excellent chew toy for puppies as it is designed to provide both physical and mental stimulation. The small holes on the ends of the bone can be filled with treats or peanut butter, which makes it an enticing option for puppies to chew on.
Additionally, it is made with a soft material, making it gentle on puppies’ developing teeth and gums. This toy is perfect for young puppies who are just learning to chew on toys.
Kong Dental Stick
The Dental Stick is a great chew toy for puppies similar to the Kong Goodie Bone, it is made of soft material and it has small pockets in which you can put treats or peanut butter.
The design of this toy has ridges that are helpful in massaging a puppy’s gums and providing relief from the discomfort of teething. It’s a great option to provide a fun way to help with dental hygiene while helping to alleviate teething pain.
Rope Toys
Rope toys can be a great option for cleaning teeth and massaging gums of your puppies. They can reach between the teeth and help remove plaque and tartar buildup, similar to flossing.
However, these toys are not as durable as other options and may not last long, especially with heavy chewers.
My lab, has a tendency to tear them apart quickly. Therefore, while they can be fun for interactive play, it’s important to supervise and not leave them unsupervised with the puppy. It’s also worth noting that rope toys can also be used as tug toys, which can be a fun way to bond with your pup.
Benebone Wood Stick
My labrador absolutely loves another toy from Benebone. It’s a durable toy that I trust to leave him with when we were in the process of crate training him. It can withstand the heavy chewing and it’s a good option to keep him entertained and engaged while he is alone in the crate. It’s a reliable option for unsupervised play and it’s a good fit for a labrador’s strong jaws and playful nature.
Bully Sticks
Bully sticks, also known as dried bull tendons, are a popular chew treat among dogs, including Labradors. They can hold a dog’s attention for extended periods, as they slowly gnaw and grind the stick down.
Due to the chewable nature of these sticks, it’s important to note that they can pose a choking hazard, therefore it is important to supervise your labrador while they are enjoying this treat.
They can be useful to keep your labrador occupied and engaged while crate training, as long as you are present and able to monitor them.
Nylabone Dental Bone
This particular bone is designed with bumps that can help clean your puppy’s teeth and massage their gums. The bumps on the surface of the bone can help to remove plaque and tartar buildup, promoting dental health for your pup.
Additionally, this bone is made with a soft material that is specially formulated for teething puppies, making it gentle on their developing teeth and gums. The soft material is also easy on their tender mouths, making it a comfortable option for them to chew on.
This bone is a popular choice among West Paw’s range of toys. The rubber material is durable and has a bouncy texture that makes it appealing for puppies to chew on. The rubber is strong enough to withstand heavy chewing, yet flexible enough to provide some give, making it an enjoyable experience for the puppy.
Another great feature of this toy is that it is dishwasher safe, which makes it easy to keep clean for your pup.
Classic Kong
This Kong toy may not be the best option for active chewing compared to some of the other toys mentioned before, but it can be a great way to keep your labrador engaged and mentally stimulated.
You can fill the inside of the Kong with frozen food or spread peanut butter around the opening, this will provide a fun challenge for your labrador to figure out how to get to the treat inside. It’s a great way to keep them entertained and make mealtime more interactive.
Related: Best Dog Crates for Labradors
Conclusion
Chew toys are an essential item for any Labrador puppy owner. These toys provide a healthy outlet for your puppy’s natural chewing behavior. They can help to reduce the discomfort associated with teething, and also prevent your puppy from damaging household items.
It’s important to provide a variety of chew toys to keep your puppy entertained and engaged.
If you have any questions or concerns about selecting the right chew toys for your Labrador puppy, please feel free to ask in the comments below. Sharing this information with others who have newly adopted Labrador puppies could also be helpful.
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