Safe Chews for Puppies From 8 Weeks Old

Chewing is often talked about as essential for puppies, but knowing what is actually safe, and when, can feel confusing. With so many chews available, it’s not always obvious which ones will help your puppy and which ones might cause problems.

Chewing is a natural and important behaviour for puppies. It helps them explore the world, cope with teething, and calm themselves when they feel overstimulated or tired.

When chewing is supported well, it can make everyday life with your puppy feel much easier.

Used thoughtfully, chewing can play a big role in reducing

puppy biting

teething discomfort

overstimulation

difficulty settling and resting

In this guide, you’ll learn why chewing matters for puppy development, how it supports calm behaviour, which chews are suitable from 8 weeks onwards, and how to choose and use chews safely so they genuinely help your puppy rather than create new issues.

Jump to section:

Chewing and puppy biting

Safe chews for puppies by age

Chews that are not suitable for puppies

Chewing Safely guidelines

When chewing isn't enough

Why chewing is so important for puppies

Chewing isn’t a bad habit or something to tolerate until it stops. It plays an important role in your puppy’s emotional and physical development.

Chewing can help your puppy:

• release stress and tension

• cope with frustration or overwhelm

• soothe teething gums

• settle their nervous system

• reduce boredom and excess energy

Many puppies bite more when they’re overtired, overstimulated, or unsure how to calm themselves. Chewing gives them a safe, appropriate outlet at exactly those moments.

This is why chewing often features in puppy biting support plans. It’s not about distracting your puppy, but about helping them regulate.

Chewing and puppy biting

When puppies are given appropriate opportunities to chew, they often:

• mouth people less

• settle more quickly

• find it easier to switch off

• cope better with busy environments

Chewing works best when it’s offered before biting escalates, such as:

• late afternoon or early evening

• after busy play

• following visitors or outings

• during teething phases

Used this way, chewing becomes a support tool rather than a last resort.

Safe chews for puppies by age

Not all chews are suitable for all puppies. Age, size, and chewing style all matter.

Below is a general guide. Always choose chews that are larger rather than smaller, and suited to your individual puppy.

Puppies from around 8 weeks

These options are usually softer and more suitable for young mouths:

• JR Pet Products meat sticks

• JR Pet Products meat coins

• Olive wood chews

• Coffee wood chews

• Root chews

These can be helpful during early teething and for gentle chewing sessions.

Puppies from around 12 weeks

As your puppy grows, they may cope well with a wider range of chews:

• Ostrich bone

• Braided lamb

• Beef or lamb tails

• Rabbit ears

• Pizzles

• Lamb, pork, or beef spaghetti

• Moon bones (no actual bone)

• Camel skin or camel braids

• Himalayan yak bars

• Cow ears

• Split antlers

• Buffalo hooves

• Braided beef

• Beef trachea

• Pig ears

Always supervise closely and remove chews if they begin to splinter or become small enough to swallow.

Chews that are not suitable for puppies

Some chews are commonly sold but are not safe for puppies

.

Avoid:

• rawhide

• cooked bones

These can splinter, cause blockages, or lead to serious digestive issues.

Chewing safety guidelines

Chewing should always be calm and safe.

Keep these guidelines in mind:

• Never leave your puppy unattended with a chew

• Always provide access to fresh water

• Choose chews appropriate for your puppy’s age and size

• Oversized chews are safer than undersized ones

• Take chews away once they become small or fragile

If your puppy becomes frantic, possessive, or overly aroused around chews, pause and reassess. Chewing should support calm, not increase intensity.

When chewing isn’t enough

Chewing is a powerful tool, but it isn’t a solution on its own.

If your puppy is still biting heavily, struggling to settle, or becoming overstimulated regularly, it’s often a sign that:

• they need more sleep

• their routine needs adjusting

• they’re finding something in their environment overwhelming

Chewing works best as part of a bigger picture of rest, routine, and emotional support.

A gentle reminder

Every puppy is different.

What helps one puppy settle may not work for another, and that’s okay. Chewing is just one way to support your puppy as they learn how to cope with a busy world.

If you’re unsure which chews are right for your puppy, or how to use chewing to support biting and settling, personalised guidance can make things much clearer.

What's your puppy's favourite chew? Tell me in the comments.