Do frozen dog toys work for puppies and teething puppies?

Many dog ​​chew toys on the market advertise themselves as “freezing”—something intended to appeal to pet parents with teething puppies or leftover moths of the season. summer. But what do frozen dog toys really do? Does cold really ease teething pain or cool down a hot dog? We investigate.

How do frozen chew toys for dogs work?

Frozen dog toys have two main benefits: 1) teething pain relief and 2) cooling.

No doubt, chew toys are a good idea for teething puppies. One The dog started teething about three weeks old and by six weeks all their baby teeth have come in; they start shedding about six weeks later. All of your puppy’s adult teeth will be there by six months of age, but that means they’ll be going through a better teething period by five months.

That period can be especially frustrating for pet parents, as it exacerbates the puppy’s need to chew on anything and everything, both out of curiosity and to ease the pain of a dog. teethe. Chew toys give dogs something safe to chew on and can massage their gums—but often, they provide more distraction and purpose than pain relief.

Tetiana Garkusha via iStock

That’s where the freeze comes in. The gums of teething puppies will often become irritated and inflamed – something you can clearly see if you lift their squiggles. Theoretically, a cold toy applied to the gums could numb them, reducing the pain of teething. Cold is also meant to reduce swelling by constricting local blood vessels and reducing circulation, much like applying ice to a swollen ankle.

As for keeping hot dogs cool in the summer, frozen dog toys look intuitively like they’ll help cool dogs physically, in the same way we think eating ice cream or holding an ice cube can help. help people. However, the truth is a bit more complicated.

Different types of dog toys that can freeze

Many dog ​​chew toys can be frozen—some even don’t specifically advertise it. One Traditional Kong toysfor example, is a great choice for freezing, especially if the goal is consolidation peanut butter for dogs or soft handling inside to make removal more complicated (or neater). Some pet parents also soak rope toys and freeze them for chewing.

However, there are toys for dogs perform frozen — and have some advantages to their design, especially for teething puppies.

The Nylabone Chill and Chewfor example, is one of the toys that can freeze Prioritize texture for teeth. It is made from chicken flavor nylon. Like the Kong, it has a small internal reservoir that can hold water or broth that can be frozen to give the toy lasting chill — but unlike the Kong, the real main attraction is the surface. chubby, specially designed to stimulate gums and help clean your dog’s teeth as they chew. It’s not the hardest chew on the market, but the slightly soft ridges make it a popular choice for teething puppies.

Then there are Freezing dog toys favor hydrationlike wobbly rubber PetSafe Chilly Penguin or West Paw Zogoflex. Larger internal tank — more suitable for holding more water, broth or even wet dog food. They encourage licking and clawing as much as rodents, making them a popular choice for cooling treats.

Finally, yes the dog can chew with the speaker. The NOUGAT Crocodile is a common example favored by pet parents with more aggressive chewers. The subjects of refrigerator crosses tend to be dogs with low fodder and high litter — the pups often can’t be persuaded to put in a lot of effort to harvest a snack but it will be fun. seeming to devour toys that make noise. Can cooling gum irritation without mess.

What experts say about frozen chew toys for dogs

Dr. Sara OchoaDMV, confirm that Frozen chew toys for teething puppies is a good idea: “Puppies feel pain and discomfort when teething and chewing on frozen toys maybe provide some relief. “To numb and reduce inflammation, rubber toys are a particularly good choice, as they won’t freeze – meaning they’ll be flexible enough for your dog’s mouth.

Durability is another plus of rubber toys that can freeze; they’re not completely indestructible, but they’ll latch onto sharp puppy teeth much better than plush toys or ropes.

Freezable toys with nipples have a hidden superpower beyond just massaging gums: scraping off your dog’s growing teeth. And a deep tank is also good, as it will help the toys stay cold longer.

That said, while frozen dog toys can certainly benefit a puppy, you may not want to start putting all your puppy’s toys away. chew toys in the freezer. Certain materials like plastic, rope, and vinyl can become too hard when frozen, and toys that are too hard can damage your puppy’s developing teeth. It can also crumble or break apart, putting your puppy at risk of injury.

In summary, it’s best to choose a freezeable puppy teething toy that is specifically designed to be frozen.

For cooling effect, Frozen dog toys are not a substitute for air conditioning or shade, but they can provide temporary relief from the feeling of heat. However, it is not so much about chewing, as it is about liquid content: a toy in the refrigerator filled with water or slow cooking bond soups will help keep your dog hydrated—and good hydration is one of the best ways to keep your dog cool.

The softer benefits are distraction—something to help clear your puppy’s mind—and encourage a fussy eater or drinker with a fun challenge.

Whatever your goals for frozen dog toys, Dr. Ochoa recommends choosing toys that are free of BPA and phthalates, chemicals used in plastic that have been linked to negative reproductive effects in animals. It is important to monitor your dog while they work, as swallowing a small toy or pieces of the toy can cause a dangerous bowel obstruction.

Refrigerated toys aren’t always the best choice for people who like to chew especially aggressively, as the freezing process makes the toy a bit more brittle, especially if it’s made from hard plastic. .

For a particularly steadfast scammer, frozen food could be a better bet (where destruction and devouring is a-okay!) paralleling choices like a dog cooling jacket or mat—And of course shade, water, and AC whenever possible.

Denise Hasse via iStock

Final Verdict: Do Frozen Dog Toys Work?

Frozen dog toys are a smart choice for teething puppies that can really help reduce gum swelling, especially when they’re made of rubber and have deep cavities. But when it comes to cooling, the real advantage of freezeable dog toys is in the hydration they can provide rather than their physical sensation of cold. Either way, you’re better off using a dog toy designed to be frozen rather than freezing a toy that can become too brittle or hard when refrigerated.

Who might love frozen dog toys:

• Puppies teething with swollen gums
• Reluctant drinkers need to drink a lot of water
• Sausages can use more water
• Puppies need help cleaning their teeth — chubby frozen toys are a plus

Who wouldn’t get many miles from a freezeable dog toy:

• Aggressive eater; Frozen toys can sometimes be more brittle than non-frozen toys
• Especially the baby mice – a frozen toy won’t cut

How do we choose?

We selected the featured freezeable dog toy based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, comprehensive review of customer reviews across multiple retail platforms, and interviews with industry experts. veterinary specialist. We prioritize the durability, texture and depth of the reservoir. We are also guided by our own experience of living and playing with our own much-loved and steadfast pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.

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