Why Dogs Chew More During Growth Phases

Your puppy is destroying everything. Your adolescent dog has suddenly started chewing again after months of good behavior. Your senior dog has lost interest in toys they used to love.

All of these are normal — and all of them are driven by the same thing: growth phases that change what your dog needs from their toys.

The Three Major Chewing Growth Phases

Phase 1: Puppy Teething (3-6 Months)

Baby teeth fall out. Adult teeth push through. The gums are sore, inflamed, and desperate for relief. Chewing is the only thing that helps.

During this phase, puppies will chew anything and everything — not out of defiance, but out of genuine physical discomfort. The chewing drive is at its lifetime peak.

What they need: soft, flexible toys that soothe sore gums without causing damage. The Pup's Pick Natural Rubber Puppy Chew Toy and 8 Pack Pink Puppy Teething Toys are ideal — soft enough for tender gums, satisfying enough to compete with furniture.

Phase 2: Adolescence (6-18 Months)

Adult teeth are fully in, but the chewing drive doesn't stop. Adolescent dogs are testing boundaries, have high energy, and often regress in previously learned behaviors. Chewing increases again as a way to manage the hormonal and neurological changes happening in their brain.

What they need: durable chews that can handle adult bite strength. The Benebone Peanut Butter Wishbone and Bite Force Dog Chew Toy are built for this phase.

Phase 3: Senior Years (7+ Years)

Chewing needs don't disappear in senior dogs — but the approach changes. Joints are stiffer, teeth may be more sensitive, and energy levels drop. Hard nylon chews can become uncomfortable.

What they need: softer chews and gentler enrichment. The Just4Pups Treat-Dispensing Rubber Chew Toy provides satisfying chewing without the hardness that can bother senior teeth.

The Bottom Line

Chewing isn't a phase that ends. It's a lifelong need that changes form. Match the toy to the phase — and you'll always have the right tool for where your dog is right now.