The trick is not to stop the chewing; it is to give your puppy something better to chew than your house. The right toys soothe teething gums, burn off energy and start building the brain.
We have compared six puppy toys currently available at Amazon UK, covering teething, tug and beginner brain games.
Quick Comparison Table
Product | Best For | Price Range | Rating |
KONG Puppy (Medium) | Teething and treat-stuffing | £6-£9 | 4.5/5 |
Nylabone Gentle Puppy Teething Keys | Heavy chewers in the teething stage | £8-£10 | 4.5/5 |
KONG Wubba Tug & Toss (Small) | Tug, fetch and bonding | £6-£8 | 4.2/5 |
IOKHEIRA Snuffle Mat | Slow feeding and calm enrichment | £15-£18 | 4.4/5 |
Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel (Small) | Soft hide-and-seek games | £11-£13 | 4.4/5 |
TRIXIE Flip Board | First-puzzle introductions | £9-£11 | 4.4/5 |
Our Top Picks
KONG Puppy (Medium)
Best for: every new puppy: the toy recommended first
The KONG Puppy is made from a softer rubber than the adult Kong, so it is gentler on baby teeth. It has a hollow centre for stuffing with puppy food, and it can be frozen to soothe sore gums.
It costs around £7 and averages 4.5 out of 5 across more than 45,000 ratings.
What we like:
- Soft, gentle rubber for teething
- Freezable
- Huge base of reviews
Worth knowing:
- Supervise chewing
- Outgrown as the adult teeth arrive
Specifications:
- Type: stuffable puppy toy
- Material: soft natural rubber
- Feature: freezable
- Brand: KONG
Nylabone Gentle Puppy Teething Keys (Small)
Best for: heavy chewers aged 3-6 months
These bacon-flavoured teething keys are soft nylon designed for puppies. The key shapes are easy to hold and give sore gums something to work on.
The small costs around £9 and averages 4.5 out of 5 across more than 9,500 ratings.
What we like:
- Designed for puppies
- Easy-to-hold key shape
- Well reviewed
Worth knowing:
- Replace when worn
- Not for adult dogs
Specifications:
- Type: puppy teething chew
- Size: Small
- Flavour: bacon
- Brand: Nylabone
KONG Wubba Tug & Toss Toy (Small)
Best for: tug, fetch and recall building
A tug toy with long tails is great for bonding and for teaching your puppy to bring things back. The KONG Wubba has a soft fabric cover over a rubber core.
The small costs around £7 and averages 4.2 out of 5 across more than 19,000 ratings.
What we like:
- Good for tug and fetch
- Squeaky and soft
- Low price
Worth knowing:
- Supervise so it is not chewed to pieces
- Fabric wears over time
Specifications:
- Type: tug and toss toy
- Size: Small
- Feature: squeaker
- Brand: KONG
IOKHEIRA Snuffle Mat
Best for: calm enrichment and slow feeding
A snuffle mat hides food in soft fleece strips, encouraging your puppy to sniff it out. It slows down fast eaters and offers a calm activity for quiet moments.
It costs around £17 and averages 4.4 out of 5 across more than 300 ratings.
What we like:
- Encourages natural foraging
- Machine washable fabric
- Calming activity
Worth knowing:
- Not to be chewed unsupervised
- Fewer ratings than the big brands
Specifications:
- Type: snuffle mat
- Material: fleece
- Use: slow feeding and enrichment
- Care: washable
Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel (Small)
Best for: soft hide-and-seek play and bonding
A plush tree trunk with hidden squirrels lets you play hide-and-seek with your puppy. It builds nose skills and is soft on baby teeth.
The small costs around £12 and averages 4.4 out of 5 across more than 58,000 ratings.
What we like:
- Soft and gentle
- Encourages sniffing and finding
- Popular and well reviewed
Worth knowing:
- Supervise so it does not get chewed apart
- Hand-wash recommended
Specifications:
- Type: plush puzzle toy
- Size: Small
- Feature: squeakers
- Brand: Outward Hound
TRIXIE Flip Board
Best for: a first-puzzle introduction
A simple flip board is a good way to introduce your puppy to puzzle solving. It has easy mechanisms and non-slip feet.
It costs around £10 and averages 4.4 out of 5 across more than 36,000 ratings.
What we like:
- Simple mechanisms for beginners
- Low price
- Non-slip base
Worth knowing:
- Supervise use with a young puppy
- Hand-wash recommended
Specifications:
- Type: activity puzzle
- Diameter: 23cm
- Material: plastic
- Brand: Trixie
Buying Guide: How to choose the best puppy toys
What to look for
Choose soft, puppy-specific materials for teething, and toys sized so they cannot be swallowed. Look for washable materials and supervise all new toys.
Toy types explained
Teething toys soothe gums. Tug toys build bonding and recall. Puzzle toys build the brain. Snuffle mats encourage calm foraging.
Size guide
Small breeds suit small toys, and large breeds need larger ones so they cannot be swallowed.
How much should you spend?
£6-£10 buys most puppy toys. £15-£20 buys a snuffle mat or a puzzle.
Frequently asked questions
When do puppies start teething?
Usually around 3-4 months, with the adult teeth coming through by about 6-7 months.
How many toys does a puppy need?
A handful, rotated through the week, works better than a huge pile.
Are Kongs safe for puppies?
The softer KONG Puppy is designed for puppies, and you should supervise use.
Should I freeze puppy toys?
A frozen, stuffed toy can soothe sore gums, but always follow the manufacturer’s guidance.
Conclusion
The KONG Puppy is our top pick for every new puppy, and the Nylabone teething keys suit heavy chewers.
The Wubba builds bonding and recall, the snuffle mat and Hide-A-Squirrel encourage calm enrichment and the Trixie Flip Board is a good first puzzle.
