Natural Dog Treats for Teething Puppies: Soothing Sore Gums the Healthy Way

Teething is a challenging phase for puppies and their owners alike. As those tiny teeth push through, puppies experience discomfort and pain, leading to excessive chewing, whining, and a general sense of unease. While teething toys are essential, natural dog treats can also be a fantastic way to alleviate your puppy’s discomfort while providing essential nutrients.

This comprehensive guide explores the best natural dog treats for teething puppies, offering tips on how to choose safe and effective options that promote healthy development.

Why Natural Treats are Best for Teething Puppies

Choosing natural treats for your teething puppy is crucial for several reasons:

Safety: Natural treats are made from whole, unprocessed ingredients, minimizing the risk of harmful additives, artificial flavors, and preservatives that can upset your puppy’s sensitive digestive system.
Nutritional Value: Natural treats often provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support your puppy’s growth and overall health during this critical development stage.
Digestibility: Natural ingredients are generally easier for puppies to digest, reducing the likelihood of stomach upset or diarrhea.
Soothing Relief: Certain natural treats have a cooling or soothing effect on sore gums, providing much-needed relief from teething discomfort.
Healthy Habits: Introducing your puppy to natural treats early on can establish healthy eating habits and prevent them from developing a taste for unhealthy, processed snacks.

Top Natural Dog Treats for Teething Puppies

Here’s a list of some of the best natural dog treats for teething puppies, along with their benefits and considerations:

1. Frozen Fruits and Vegetables

Frozen fruits and vegetables are an excellent choice for teething puppies due to their cooling and soothing properties. The coldness helps numb the gums, providing temporary relief from pain and inflammation.

Recommended Options:
- Frozen Blueberries: Packed with antioxidants, blueberries are a healthy and delicious treat that can help reduce inflammation.
- Frozen Carrots: Carrots are a good source of fiber and beta-carotene, which supports healthy vision. Their firm texture also provides a satisfying chewing experience.
- Frozen Bananas: Bananas are rich in potassium and other essential nutrients. Their soft texture makes them easy for teething puppies to chew and digest.
- Frozen Cucumber: Cucumber are mainly water, they are great for hydration, especially in the summer.
- Frozen Strawberries: Strawberries contain antioxidants and are also a good source of Vitamin C.
How to Serve: Cut the fruits and vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces to prevent choking hazards. Freeze them for at least a few hours before giving them to your puppy.
Considerations: Introduce new fruits and vegetables gradually to monitor for any allergic reactions or digestive issues. Limit the quantity to prevent overeating or diarrhea.

2. Frozen Bone Broth Cubes

Bone broth is a nutrient-rich liquid made by simmering animal bones in water. It’s packed with collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin, which support joint health and reduce inflammation. Freezing bone broth into cubes provides a soothing and long-lasting treat for teething puppies.

Benefits:
- Soothes Sore Gums: The cold temperature helps numb the gums and reduce pain.
- Provides Essential Nutrients: Bone broth is a great source of collagen, which supports healthy skin, coat, and joints.
- Hydrating: Bone broth is primarily water, helping to keep your puppy hydrated.
- Easy to Digest: Bone broth is gentle on the digestive system, making it a suitable treat for puppies with sensitive stomachs.
How to Serve: Freeze bone broth in ice cube trays or small silicone molds. Give your puppy one or two cubes at a time, depending on their size and age.
Considerations: Use unsalted bone broth to avoid excess sodium intake. Ensure the bone broth is made from high-quality, human-grade ingredients.

3. Dehydrated Sweet Potato Chews

Sweet potatoes are a nutritious and delicious treat for puppies. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, promoting healthy digestion and overall well-being. Dehydrated sweet potato chews are a great alternative to rawhide chews, which can be difficult for puppies to digest and pose a choking hazard.

Benefits:
- Provides a Satisfying Chewing Experience: The firm texture of dehydrated sweet potatoes helps massage sore gums and relieve teething discomfort.
- Rich in Nutrients: Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamins A, C, and B6, as well as fiber and potassium.
- Easily Digestible: Dehydrated sweet potatoes are gentle on the digestive system, making them a suitable treat for puppies with sensitive stomachs.
- Long-Lasting: Dehydrated sweet potato chews can keep your puppy occupied for extended periods, helping to redirect their chewing behavior away from furniture and other household items.
How to Serve: Purchase pre-made dehydrated sweet potato chews from a reputable pet store or dehydrate your own at home using a food dehydrator. Ensure the chews are appropriately sized for your puppy to prevent choking hazards.
Considerations: Choose dehydrated sweet potato chews that are made without any added sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavors. Monitor your puppy while they are chewing on the treat and discard any small pieces that may break off.

4. Bully Sticks

Bully sticks are a popular natural chew treat made from bull pizzle. They are highly digestible and provide a long-lasting chewing experience, making them an excellent choice for teething puppies.

Benefits:
- Long-Lasting Chew: Bully sticks can keep your puppy occupied for hours, helping to relieve boredom and redirect their chewing behavior.
- Promotes Dental Health: Chewing on bully sticks helps to scrape away plaque and tartar, promoting healthy teeth and gums.
- High in Protein: Bully sticks are a good source of protein, which is essential for muscle development and overall health.
How to Serve: Choose bully sticks that are appropriately sized for your puppy to prevent choking hazards. Supervise your puppy while they are chewing on the treat and discard any small pieces that may break off.
Considerations: Bully sticks can be high in calories, so limit the quantity to prevent overeating. Some bully sticks may have a strong odor, so choose a brand that uses a natural cleaning process to minimize the smell.

5. Carrot

Raw carrot is a great option for your teething puppy, it is rich in nutrients and also give your puppy something to chew on and soothes their gum.

Benefits:
- Soothes Sore Gums: The hard texture helps massage sore gums and relieve teething discomfort.
- Rich in Nutrients: Carrots are a good source of vitamin A, K and fiber.
- Long-Lasting Chew: Carrots can keep your puppy occupied for hours, helping to relieve boredom and redirect their chewing behavior.
How to Serve: You can serve your puppy with whole carrot or cut it into sticks. Supervise your puppy while they are chewing on the treat and discard any small pieces that may break off.
Considerations: Carrots can be hard, make sure your puppy can chew the treat safely.

Tips for Choosing and Using Natural Treats

Read Labels Carefully: Always read the ingredient list to ensure the treat is made from whole, natural ingredients and free from harmful additives.
Choose Age-Appropriate Treats: Select treats that are appropriately sized and textured for your puppy’s age and chewing ability.
Introduce New Treats Gradually: Introduce new treats slowly to monitor for any allergic reactions or digestive issues.
Supervise Your Puppy: Always supervise your puppy while they are chewing on treats to prevent choking hazards.
Limit Treat Quantity: Treats should only make up a small portion of your puppy’s daily diet. Adjust their food intake accordingly to prevent overeating.
Consult Your Veterinarian: If you have any concerns about your puppy’s teething or diet, consult your veterinarian for personalized advice.

Conclusion

Choosing natural dog treats for your teething puppy is a safe and effective way to alleviate discomfort, provide essential nutrients, and promote healthy chewing habits. By selecting the right treats and following the tips outlined in this guide, you can help your puppy navigate the teething phase with ease and comfort. Remember to always prioritize your puppy’s safety and health by choosing high-quality, natural ingredients and supervising their chewing habits. With a little patience and the right treats, you can help your puppy through this challenging phase and set them up for a lifetime of healthy and happy chewing.