There’s nothing quite like the little shark teeth of puppies — and when they want to find relief from their teething pains, they’ll find just about anything to chew on.

So, what can pet parents do to help their puppies have the best teething experience so they develop strong, healthy big dog teeth? Treats can be a great option as they’re both tasty and effective!

Choosing healthy teething treats is key — this way, you can ensure that your pup is getting through their discomfort and getting some additional health benefits at the same time!

Let’s start with flavors! What tastes and smells gets your pup most excited? Start with those! It’s not uncommon for puppies to look for other means of comfort in the midst of the teething experience, meaning, they might be headed for your furniture, shoes, and other things you don’t want them chewing on.

Finding teething treats in flavors that they love will help get them more excited about what you’ve got to offer vs. the things they’re going in search of throughout the house.

Store bought options:

Shameless Pets has lots of tasty treats for dogs of all ages to enjoy! If you’ve got a teething puppy on your hands, our Dental Sticks are a great option! With lots of tasty flavors to choose from, you’ll be able to find the perfect option for your pup. Additionally, our dental sticks may support several functional health benefits including digestion, skin & coat, breath, immune system, and healthy hips & joints.

Fans of our treats have even recommended putting Shameless Pets Dental Sticks in the freezer for an even more refreshing and relieving experience!

Our buddies at Brutus Bone Broth also offer 100% natural dog-friendly bone broth in tasty flavors like beef, chicken, pork, and plant-based salmon flavor. Putting this tasty and healthy bone broth in silicone molds and freezing it is another great way to offer your pup a tasty and refreshing treat to offer them some relief from their teething experience!

Homemade options:

With a few key kitchen appliances handy, there are tons of tasty, healthy, and natural teething treats that you can make at home for your pup! In general, you’ll likely need: a blender and silicone molds, but those aren’t always a necessity!

Some of the tastiest and easiest to whip up options are likely in your pantry already, or on your grocery list. Blending and freezing these ingredients make for a great, natural treat for your pup, you can try:

• - Zucchini

• - Yogurt

• - Banana

• - Watermelon

• - Blueberries

• - Pumpkin (great for digestion support!)

• - Sweet potato (great for digestion support!)

• - Peanut butter 

Rover.com has a great list of “pupsicle”-type recipe options that are easy to whip up at home with just a few natural ingredients. Here’s an easy, healthy, and tasty option from the list:

Frozen Banana Dog Treats

“This recipe pairs blended watermelon and pineapple with a nice thick banana slice for a healthy, cooling snack that any dog would love to get their paws on. If your dog loves bananas, she’ll go crazy for these treats.”

When it comes to teething — and teething treats, specifically — puppy parents may have some concerns about their pup’s safety, most specifically related to choking hazards.

 Those sharp little teeth can work through teething treats well, but what are some things to think about before buying or making treats for your pup to ensure they stay safe?

• - Always supervise your pup while they’re enjoying their teething treats!
  
  

• - Look at the ingredients! Many chews, like rawhides, may contain preservatives that can cause stomach upset for your pup. (Always check to see if Formaldehyde is an included ingredient/preservative before purchasing!)
  
  

• - Don’t choose treats that are too hard. We know that a hard treat is what you’re looking for to give your dog a good chew, but too hard and you risk potential damage to your puppy's teeth. This is why frozen pupsicles are a nice option, because they tend to be softer than simply offering them ice cubes, and they deliver relief to your pup while softening/melting as they enjoy it.
  
  

• - Be careful with bones as they can splinter and/or cause intestinal blockages.

• - Keep size in mind. Too small, and it could pose a choking hazard for your pup, too large, and it could strain their jaw as they chew.
  
  

Teething doesn’t have to be a terrible pain — for your puppy or for you, pawrents! Whether you choose to make your pup treats at home, or head to the store to find their favorite flavors, is entirely up to you, all that matters is that you’re opting for all-natural treats that are safe for your growing puppy! And don’t forget to always keep a watchful eye on them while they’re enjoying their tasty treats!