What Can I Give My Puppy to Chew On?

Plus: Tips On Keeping Your New Puppy Safe

As a new puppy parent, you want to make sure you’re covering all your bases when it comes to keeping your dog healthy and safe. You also want to come out on the other end with shoes, table legs, and other household belongings intact.

Figuring everything out and finding a balance can be tricky, much like bringing a new baby into the mix. Your mind is probably overwhelmed with important questions like: What should you expect in the first few weeks? Which pet store products will keep your puppy out of harm’s way? Which toys and treats are your puppy allowed to enjoy? How on earth are you supposed to puppy-proof your house and all its belongings?

The good news is, we’ve been there. Once upon a time, we were all brand new dog owners, too. We know how confusing and hectic it can be to introduce a new member into the family, so we want to make your new puppy transition as smooth as possible.

New Puppy Safety

Your new pup is going to be curious - avidly exploring every inch of its new home and yard with enthusiasm and wonder. Of course, with that comes the potential for accidents and even dangerous situations.

You might not see opportunity when thinking about storing bathroom cleaners, kitchen chemicals, or even insignificant things like cotton balls. At your new dog’s eye level, though, these common household items are like gold mines, just waiting to be sniffed out and taste tested.

The number one rule to keep in mind is to monitor and observe your puppy, 24/7. Even when you can’t be in the room, you absolutely must make sure your dog only comes into contact with toys or food that you have control over.

Steps To Puppy Proofing Your Home:

• Install cabinet locks.

• Store chemicals, cleaners, and medications safely.

• Take a walk through your house with your puppy’s eye level in mind and eliminate any possible dangers, like electrical cords on the floor or open outlets.

• Make sure your floors are clear of socks, shoes, and other chewable items.

• Keep baby gates up and use a puppy pen when you can’t be in the room.

Once you have the golden rule of monitoring and observing your canine down, you can delve into the more intricate ins and outs of new puppy parenthood.

Puppy Teething and Biting: What To Expect

As cute as new puppies are, they can wreak absolute havoc on your home, your clothes, and even your fingers.

While ruined shoes and sore hands from too aggressive playtime can cause some pretty serious headaches, keep in mind that puppy teething and biting is all a part of growing up and exploring a brand new world; there are steps you can take to avoid replacing clothes and chair legs every time your pup gets the urge to chew.

Around 12-16 weeks old, your puppy’s adult teeth will start to grow in, causing a good deal of discomfort in your dog’s mouth. Constant chewing is your dog’s instinctive way of relieving that pain. On top of that, dogs use their mouths much like humans use their hands - to move, feel, and hold onto objects. Chewing comes completely naturally to them.

Adult teeth should typically be grown in by the time your dog is 8 months old, although timelines can differ depending on the size of dog. During that teething time, it’s important to provide your pup with the right chewing tools and stay away from anything that could potentially cause harm. 

Keep in mind to avoid bones at first, as your puppy’s teeth won’t yet be fully developed, and hard bones can cause damage. Their teeth are also exceptionally sharp at this stage, making it easier for them to break off larger chunks than they can handle in their hurry to enjoy their new, tasty treats.

Safe Treats For Puppies To Chew On

The best way to get through your new dog’s teething stage is to arm yourself with the best and safest chew tactics available. Anything too hard can cause more pain during this time, and anything too soft will be torn to shreds. Also be mindful of the fact that certain treats will relieve your dog’s sore mouth, while others will only agitate it.

Another vital piece of the puzzle is ensuring that your dog’s treats are also high quality and well made. Cheap products that have been imported from outside the U.S., for example, will pose a number of risks for your new family member.

Safe Bones Co only sells American made treats that meet rigid food safety standards; we recommend working your small pup up to our very own jerky treats, lung steak bites, or liver bites during this chew-driven stage of their lives. Each of these treats is made with 100% USDA beef products, so you can rest assured your dog’s health is in good hands.

Once your dog’s adult teeth have grown in, they can then tackle other treats like rib chews, with bones and treats always correlating with their relative size for the safest chewing possible.

Getting through your puppy’s teething phase will take careful planning and patience, but with the right puppy proofing and chew treats, you and your dog will come out on the other end as happy campers.

Our Promise

All of Safe Bones Company dog bones and dog treats are 100% Natural and Made in the U.S.A. at our facilities in the beautiful state of Nebraska. 

You’ll never need to be concerned with low quality imported products, or overly processed dog bones, jerky, or other treats. Shop now and treat your dog to something special.