Safe chews for the puppy – what to give so as not to harm the young gums?

When can a puppy get its first chew? The short answer for busy caregivers

The first soft natural chew can be given to the puppy from 8.-10 weeks of age , that is, from the moment the toddler arrives at his new home and has a set of 28 milk teeth. The condition is one: the product must belong to the category “Soft / Easy to bite” – that is, be flexible enough not to damage the delicate enamel of milk teeth.

The chew performs three roles simultaneously: it soothes irritated gums during the teething period (which lasts from about 12 to 28 weeks of age), provides a high-protein dietary supplement and teaches the puppy that “it’s okay to chew TO, not couch.” This is why choosing the right product in terms of hardness, type of protein and size is so important.

In this guide, I’ll take you step by step: from the anatomy of a puppy’s bite, to an overview of the best proteins, to a specific table of recommendations by age.

Puppy bite anatomy – why young teeth need special protection

Baby teeth vs. permanent teeth

The puppy is born toothless. The first milk teeth – small, pointed, incredibly sharp – appear between 3 and 6 weeks of age. There are 28 of them, they do not yet have fully mineralized enamel, and their roots are short and delicate.

About 12.-16th week Replacement begins for 42 permanent teeth, which ends around the 6.-7th month . During this transitional period, deciduous and permanent teeth may sit in the puppy’s mouth at the same time – the gums are swollen, itchy and sore. This is when the need to chew reaches its peak.

Why are products that are soft and easy to bite the only right choice to start with?

A chew that is too hard – such as a dried beef femur bone intended for an adult dog – can lead to a cracked or broken milk tooth. A damaged milk tooth is not “no loss because it will fall out anyway.” Infection of the permanent tooth embryo, which waits under the gum line, can disrupt the proper development of the entire bite.

What this looks like in practice: if you are not able to dent the chew with your fingernail, it is too hard for a puppy under 6 months of age. Products placed in the “Soft / Easy to Chew” category pass this test – they are dried at lower temperatures or come from naturally soft raw material (such as rabbit skin, poultry ears).

Protein guide – which meat to choose for a junior?

Protein selection is not a matter of fashion, but of the physiology of the growing body. Below, I discuss key categories from the store’s tree and explain when to reach for which ones.

Rabbit and Turkey – the best start for a sensitive stomach

If you’re looking for one word to describe the perfect starter protein, it’s this: digestibility.

Rabbit is a meat with extremely low fat content (about 3-5%) and minimal allergenic potential. In nature, it would be one of the first proteins a young wolfhound encounters. Rabbit chews – especially ears and skins – are soft, pliable and low in fat.

Turkey has a similar profile: it’s easily digestible, rich in tryptophan (an amino acid that promotes restful sleep – and a well-sleeping puppy is a happy puppy) and available in a variety of textures, from soft strips to slightly crunchy necks. It’s the perfect poultry protein when you want to avoid the popular chicken at the very start.

Recommendation: Start with rabbit or turkey chews, which are easy to chew at 8-12 weeks of age.

Fish – Omega acids and cognitive development

The Fish category at Bite Right is not just a snack – it’s an investment in your pup’s brain.

Fish chews (e.g., dried salmon skin, cod strips) are a natural source of Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). DHA plays a key role in cognitive development: It supports the formation of neuronal connections, improves learning ability and concentration during training. Studies on dogs indicate that puppies fed a diet enriched with DHA perform better on memory and spatial orientation tests.

In addition, fish chews are generally soft and have an intense scent that acts as a magnet for the puppy – and this makes it easier to redirect the chewing from the furniture to the right target.

Recommendation: include fish chews ( Omega Acids category) from week 10-12, 2-3 times a week, as a supplement to the developmental diet.

Deer and Horsemeat – hypoallergenic option for sensitive puppies

Not every puppy tolerates popular proteins. If you notice diarrhea, itchy skin or reddened ears after chicken or beef, it’s worth reaching for so-called exotic proteins.

Deer (venison) and Horsemeat are meats that a young dog’s immune system is unlikely to have encountered yet – and this is a key mechanism of an elimination diet. Both are both low-fat and gluten-free (the meat product itself is inherently gluten-free, but the “Gluten-Free” label in the store guarantees no contamination from production processes).

Deer chews – such as pieces of hide or strips – are sometimes a bit harder, so for puppies under 5 months I recommend soft variants or products made of soft deer meat, not horn.

Recommendation: Deer and Horsemeat works best from 14-16 weeks, especially for puppies with suspected food allergies. Look for the “Gluten Free” filter in the store.

Beef, Pork, Lamb and other Poultry (Duck, Chicken)

These popular proteins also have their place in a junior’s diet – but it’s worth introducing them after a test period on light proteins.

• Beef – an excellent source of iron and zinc. Beef chews (e.g. tracheas, hides) sometimes come in textures from soft to hard – for your puppy, choose the “Soft” designation. High-protein chews are a hit for large and giant breeds that need support in building muscle mass.
• Pork – pork ears are a classic, but for a puppy, thin pork strips will be better than thick, hard adult format ears. Look for the “Soft / Easy to Chew” variant.
• Duck – a flavorful poultry alternative, prized for its taste that picky pups go crazy for. With its medium fat content, it works well as an occasional reward.
• Lamb – rich in L-carnitine to support fat metabolism. Slightly fattier than deer – ideal for puppies of active herding breeds.
• Chicken – the cheapest and most accessible poultry, but also the protein with the highest allergenic potential among poultry. It is worth giving it second, after turkey.

Chews with fur or without fur – when what to choose?

This is one of the most interesting distinctions Bite Right offers and one of the most common questions from new owners.

Chews with fur – a natural “cleaner” of the intestines

Chews with fur – e.g. rabbit ears with fur, deer skins with fur – look strange to us, but to a dog they are an evolutionary hit. Fur is indigestible and acts as a natural brush in the digestive tract: it helps mechanically remove food debris, mucus and – most importantly – intestinal parasites (pinworms, roundworms). Many behaviorists compare this to the phenomenon observed in wild canids, which eat all their prey along with the skin.

An additional advantage: a chew with fur engages more senses – the texture of the fur, the smell, the need to “peel” the chew simulate elements of natural hunting behavior, which is great for the psyche of the puppy.

For whom: Puppies from about 12-14 weeks who already have some experience with chewing. Ideal for feeding outdoors or on an easily washable mat.

Chews without fur – a cleaner “everyday” option

If your puppy gets a chew on the couch, in the playpen or in the car – the furless variant is a better choice. It doesn’t leave hair residue on the furniture, is a less “messy” experience and just as nutritionally valuable.

For whom: Any puppy from week 8 and up. The furless version is a safe default choice, while the fur variant is a bonus for dietary and environmental enrichment.

Practice tip: Start with chews without fur, and after 2-3 weeks introduce a version with fur once-two times a week, observing the puppy’s stool. The correct response is well-formed feces, sometimes with visible undigested hairs.

How do I read labels and navigate the Bite Right store menu?

The Bite Right store is organized around three axes: meat grade, product feature and dietary need. Here’s a quick guide on how to use them:

Filters you should know

• “High Protein” – chews with high protein content. Ideal for puppies of large and giant breeds (sheepdog, dog, mastiff) that need strong support for muscle and bone building. Look for this filter in combination with Beef or Venison.
• “Low-fat” – fat content less than 5%. A choice for breeds with a tendency to overweight (Labrador, beagle, mops) or puppies after sterilization procedures. Combine with Rabbit or Turkey.
• “Gluten-free” – a guarantee of no cross-contamination with grains. Crucial when your vet has recommended an elimination diet. Combine with Deer or Horsemeat.
• “Omega acids” – products rich in EPA and DHA. They support skin, coat and brain development. Filter in the Fish category.
• “Dental chews” – textured products designed to mechanically clean teeth. For puppies from the 6th month (after replacement with permanent teeth), when the enamel is already harder and ready for a bigger challenge.

Quick recipe for shopping

1. Choose the species of meat appropriate to your life stage (see table below).
2. Set the feature filter (e.g., “Soft”) to match your age and dentition.
3. Add a needs filter (e.g., “Low-fat”) if your puppy has special dietary requirements.

Table of chew recommendations by age of puppy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can a puppy chew pork ears?

Yes, but with a caveat. Classic pork ears tend to be quite hard and large – so for puppies up to 5.-6 months, thin pork strips or mini ears from the “Soft / Easy to Chew” category are recommended. You can introduce a full-sized pork ear after the teeth replacement is completed, that is, after approx. 7. month of life. Always give under supervision.

Dental chews for a puppy – from when?

Dental chews (with a stiffer, grooved or rougher texture) are designed to mechanically remove tartar and massage the gums on permanent teeth. Introduce them 6.-7th month at the earliest , when the replacement of teeth is complete and the enamel of permanent teeth is fully mineralized. Giving too hard a dental bite beforehand risks cracking a milk tooth.

How many chews per day can a puppy get?

Chews are a supplement to the diet, not the basis of it. For an 8-16-week-old puppy, one small chew per day (such as a rabbit ear) is sufficient. After the 4th month, you can increase to 1-2 chews, making sure they account for a maximum of 10% of the daily caloric value. If in doubt – weigh the chews and deduct their calories from the main meal.

Are furry chews safe for a small puppy?

Yes, they are safe and have many benefits (natural bowel cleansing, sensory stimulation), but introduce them Gradually from about the 12th-14th week. . Start with one bite of fur per week and watch the stool. If diarrhea or vomiting occurs, wait 2 weeks and try again. Some puppies need some time for their digestive tract to learn to process the fur.

Article prepared in cooperation with the dietary team of the Bite Right store. You can find all the mentioned product categories – meat species, features and diet filters – in our store biterightstore.co.uk.