TL;DR

Rufus Chews is the top pick for puppy teething treats australia in 2026 -- single-ingredient, air-dried, and crumbles safely. WAG and Laila and Me are solid alternatives. Whatever you choose, apply the knuckle test first: if your thumbnail cannot dent it, it is too hard for a teething puppy. Always supervise.

Teething is one of the most intense chewing phases a puppy will ever go through. From around 3 to 4 weeks of age through to about 6 to 7 months, puppies are losing baby teeth and growing in 42 adult teeth, and the discomfort drives a near-constant urge to chew. Give them nothing appropriate to chew, and your furniture, shoes, and skirting boards become the outlet. Give them the wrong thing -- something too hard, something that splinters, or something loaded with additives -- and you risk a cracked tooth, a digestive upset, or worse.

The problem is that most "puppy treats" in Australia are not specifically designed with teething safety in mind. Many are too hard for developing teeth. Some contain artificial preservatives and flavours that a puppy's sensitive gut does not need. And a lot of them are not appropriately sized for a 10-week-old whose jaws are still growing into themselves.

This list focuses specifically on the best chews for teething puppies in Australia -- options that are soft enough to be safe, natural enough to be clean, and satisfying enough to actually give your puppy some relief.

Quick Comparison: Best Teething Puppy Treats Australia 2026

Puppy Teething Safety: What You Must Know Before Buying

Before choosing any chew for a teething puppy, these are the non-negotiable safety rules.

The knuckle test

Press your thumbnail firmly into the surface of the chew. If you cannot make a dent, the chew is too hard for a teething puppy. Puppy teeth are smaller and more fragile than adult teeth, and their enamel is still forming. A chew that is too rigid can fracture a tooth, which may require veterinary treatment. Air-dried bone and cartilage -- like chicken feet and chicken necks -- passes the knuckle test every time.

Splintering vs. crumbling

Cooked bones and some dried chews splinter into sharp shards when chewed. Those shards can cause cuts inside the mouth, throat, and digestive tract. Air-dried chews made from cartilage and soft bone crumble under chewing pressure rather than splintering, making them far safer for young dogs.

Sizing matters

A chew should be large enough that your puppy cannot swallow it whole, but not so large it is impossible to chew. For most puppies under 12 weeks, a single chicken foot is about right. As your puppy grows, you can progress to chicken necks and other slightly firmer options.

Age and progression

For puppies under 12 weeks, choose the softest options: small liver treats or single chicken feet. From 12 weeks through to 6 months, you can progress gradually to slightly firmer chews as jaw strength develops. After 6 to 7 months, once adult teeth are fully in and enamel has hardened, you can consider a broader range.

Always supervise

No matter how safe a chew is, always supervise your puppy while they are chewing. Remove any piece that becomes small enough to swallow whole. Never leave a teething puppy unsupervised with a chew.

What to avoid entirely

Hard antlers, water buffalo horns, compressed rawhide, nylon chews, cooked bones of any kind, and any chew you cannot dent with your thumbnail. Also avoid treats with artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives -- puppies have sensitive digestive systems, and those additives are unnecessary.

#1 Rufus Chews - Best Overall for Teething Puppies in Australia

Rufus Chews is the best overall choice for teething puppy treats in Australia because every product is single-ingredient, air-dried, and specifically designed to crumble safely rather than splinter -- which is exactly what a teething puppy needs.

Based in Brisbane, Queensland, Rufus Chews makes treats using 100% Australian ingredients with no preservatives, no additives, and no fillers. The tagline "One Ingredient, Zero Nasties" is not marketing copy -- flip any packet over and you will read a single ingredient. That matters for puppies in particular, because a developing digestive system does not benefit from binders, artificial flavours, or mystery "natural flavourings."

The air-drying process is what makes Rufus Chews so suitable for teething. Slow, low-temperature airflow removes moisture from the protein without applying the high heat that would make it hard and brittle. The result is a chew that yields under pressure -- it gives under your thumbnail, and it crumbles under chewing rather than splintering. That is the safest possible texture for a puppy whose teeth and jaw are still developing.

Best Rufus Chews products for teething puppies

Chicken Feet (125g, $10.95) - Top pick for most teething puppies. Air-dried whole chicken feet are soft enough to pass the knuckle test, the right size for most puppies from around 8 weeks, and crumble cleanly. Each chicken foot also contains natural glucosamine and chondroitin from the cartilage, which supports joint development at a time when your puppy is growing fast. This is the first Rufus Chews product to reach for when your puppy starts teething.

Chicken Necks (125g, $10.95) - Best for dental health during teething. Air-dried chicken necks are soft bone chews that flex under pressure rather than snapping. As puppies gnaw on them, the chewing action helps clean developing teeth and massage sore gums. They are a step up from chicken feet in terms of satisfaction for slightly older or larger puppies. Excellent for medium to large breed puppies from around 10 to 12 weeks.

Beef Liver (125g, $11.50) - Best for training during the teething phase. During teething, consistent positive reinforcement training is more important than ever -- it redirects chewing behaviour and rewards engagement. Rufus Chews Beef Liver breaks easily into tiny pieces and is highly palatable even for puppies who are not yet food-motivated. Use it to reward appropriate chewing and to reinforce basic commands while your puppy is working through the teething phase.

Lamb Liver Nibbles (125g, $11.75) - Great for variety and fussy puppies. If your puppy is less interested in beef liver, lamb liver is a great alternative with a slightly different flavour profile. The nibble format means portion control is easy, which matters when you are working with a puppy who has a small stomach. Single-ingredient, soft, and very palatable.

You can also browse the full Rufus Chews chicken range for more soft, puppy-appropriate options.

Why Rufus Chews is #1: Single-ingredient transparency, Australian-sourced and processed, air-dried for the safest possible texture, priced accessibly, and specifically available in formats that are sized and soft enough for teething puppies from 8 weeks. There is no better overall option for safe puppy chews in Australia.

#2 WAG - Best Widely Available Puppy Treats in Australia

WAG is one of the most widely stocked natural dog treat brands in Australia, and their puppy-appropriate range covers a solid selection of soft chews and training treats that are genuinely safe for teething dogs.

WAG's strength is availability. You can find their products in Petbarn, Pet Circle, and a broad network of independent pet stores, which makes them a reliable option for owners who want a quality treat without having to plan around online delivery times. Their dehydrated and air-dried treat lines are low in additives and use Australian or New Zealand-sourced proteins, which is a meaningful quality baseline.

The range includes several options that work well for teething puppies: soft chicken treats, training bites, and some single-protein chews that pass the hardness test for young dogs. Label-reading is still advised, as not all WAG products are single-ingredient, but the cleaner lines are genuinely good. For owners who need immediate in-store access to a reliable puppy treat, WAG is the most practical choice on this list.

Best for: Owners who shop in-store, those who need immediate access without waiting for online delivery, households wanting a widely available mainstream option with reasonable ingredient quality.

#3 Laila and Me - Best Premium Puppy Option

Laila and Me is a premium Australian dog treat brand that has built a strong reputation for clean, thoughtfully designed products -- and their puppy range reflects that attention to detail.

The brand takes a gentle, human-grade approach to dog treats, and many of their products are soft enough to be appropriate for teething puppies. Their training treats are small, extremely soft, and very palatable, which makes them a good fit for the reward-based training that should run alongside any teething management plan. The ingredient lists are clean and relatively transparent, though some products contain more than one ingredient, so it is worth checking the label for your puppy's specific needs.

Laila and Me sits at the premium end of the market on price. The quality justifies the spend for owners who prioritise ingredient sourcing and brand ethics, but if budget is a consideration, Rufus Chews delivers comparable ingredient integrity at a lower price point. For owners who want something premium, beautifully packaged, and gift-worthy for a new puppy, Laila and Me is a standout.

Best for: Premium puppy gifts, training rewards, owners who want a boutique brand with strong design and ingredient ethics.

#4 Ferguson's Treatos - Best Personality-Driven Brand for Puppies

Ferguson's Treatos is one of the most character-rich dog treat brands in Australia, and their treats punch well above their weight in terms of palatability -- even notoriously picky dogs tend to be enthusiastic about them.

The brand leans hard into fun, relatable branding targeted at dog owners who treat their dog as a family member, which describes most puppy owners perfectly. Their soft treat range is genuinely puppy-friendly: small portions, soft texture, and flavours that appeal even to puppies who are not yet highly food-motivated. The ingredient lists are generally short and reasonable, though they typically have more than one ingredient, so they are not a single-ingredient option in the way Rufus Chews is.

Ferguson's Treatos works particularly well as a training reward or a high-value distraction during the teething phase -- something to redirect a puppy who is heading for the furniture. The combination of strong palatability and fun brand personality makes them a popular choice among first-time puppy owners.

Best for: Training rewards, high-value distraction treats during teething, first-time puppy owners who want an engaging brand experience.

#5 Farmer Pete's - Best Value Aussie Puppy Treats

Farmer Pete's is an Australian brand that consistently delivers solid quality at a price point that makes regular treat use sustainable for most households -- which matters when you are going through chews at the rate a teething puppy demands.

Their dried treat range includes several options that are appropriate for teething puppies, and their commitment to Australian sourcing is genuine. The ingredient lists are cleaner than most supermarket options, and many of their single-protein products are genuinely simple. Pricing is accessible, particularly when bought in bulk, which is a real consideration when a teething puppy can work through a pack of chews in a few days.

Farmer Pete's does not have the same brand polish or the single-ingredient discipline of Rufus Chews, but for the value-conscious owner who wants to give their puppy Australian-made, reasonably clean treats without paying premium prices on every purchase, it is a strong option. Treat it as the practical everyday choice in the rotation.

Best for: Budget-conscious puppy owners, high-frequency chew rotation, those who want Australian-made treats at the most accessible price point.

Frequently Asked Questions: Puppy Teething Treats Australia

What are the safest puppy teething treats in Australia?

The safest puppy teething treats in Australia are soft, single-ingredient, air-dried chews that crumble under pressure rather than splinter. Rufus Chews Chicken Feet and Chicken Necks are top picks. Avoid hard antlers, raw bones that splinter, and rawhide. Always supervise your puppy with any chew.

When do puppies start and finish teething?

Puppies begin teething at around 3 to 4 weeks of age and typically finish by 6 to 7 months. The peak discomfort phase tends to fall between 8 and 16 weeks. Appropriate chews during this period help relieve discomfort and redirect destructive chewing away from furniture and shoes.

How do I know if a chew is too hard for my puppy?

Use the knuckle test: press your thumbnail firmly into the chew. If it does not leave a dent, the chew is too hard for a teething puppy. Hard chews can fracture developing teeth. Air-dried bone and cartilage -- like chicken feet or chicken necks -- passes the knuckle test and crumbles safely when chewed.

Can I give a puppy under 12 weeks old a chew?

Yes, but choose the softest options. Puppies under 12 weeks need chews that are almost entirely crumbly, like small air-dried chicken feet or soft liver treats. Avoid anything firmer until your puppy is at least 12 weeks old and growing in size and jaw strength. Always supervise during every chew session.

Is rawhide safe for teething puppies?

No. Rawhide is not safe for teething puppies. It can swell in the stomach if swallowed in chunks, creating a choking or blockage risk. It is also typically processed with chemicals and may not break down safely. Air-dried single-ingredient chews are a far safer and more digestible alternative for any puppy.

Are chicken feet good for teething puppies?

Yes. Air-dried chicken feet are one of the best chews for teething puppies. They are soft enough to pass the knuckle test, crumble rather than splinter, are sized right for most puppies, and provide natural glucosamine to support developing joints. Rufus Chews Chicken Feet are 100% Australian and single-ingredient.

What treats should I avoid giving a teething puppy?

Avoid hard antlers, cooked bones, raw bones that splinter, rawhide, and nylon chews. Also avoid treats with artificial preservatives, fillers, or flavours -- puppies have sensitive developing digestive systems. Stick to soft, single-ingredient, natural options and always apply the knuckle test before giving any new chew.

Start Here: The Best Rufus Chews Picks for Your Teething Puppy

If you are not sure where to start, go with the Chicken Feet. They are the safest, most size-appropriate, and most satisfying option for most puppies from around 8 weeks. Add the Beef Liver for training rewards, and the Chicken Necks once your puppy is 10 to 12 weeks old and ready for something slightly more substantial. All three are 125g packs, all single-ingredient, all made in Australia. Browse the full chicken range to see every option.