Vet-recommended teething chews for Basenji puppies

Teething is one of the most intense periods of puppyhood — and a Basenji at 13 weeks is right in the thick of it, with those baby teeth pushing hard and adult teeth not far behind. Having the right chew toys available — ones that are firm enough to satisfy but safe for developing teeth, and ideally chillable to soothe sore gums — makes a genuine difference to how much destruction happens. It sounds like your vet has already flagged dental health as a priority, which is a great starting point. How old is your puppy exactly, what's the breed, and is the main concern the chewing itself or protecting specific things in the home?

That's exactly the right framing from your vet — distraction is only half the job. Basenjis are sharp, driven chewers even as puppies, so you need something with enough resistance to satisfy that urge without being so hard it risks damaging soft baby teeth. Can I ask: has your vet mentioned any preference for texture — nylon-based, rubber, or something more edible — or did they leave that open?

Perfect — that gives us a clear brief. The product I'd point you to is the Nylabone Puppy Chew Toy, specifically the puppy-grade version designed for dogs under 25 lbs. It's made from a softer nylon compound than the adult versions — firm enough to give real resistance and clean the gum line as she chews, but flexible enough that it won't damage developing teeth. The textured ridges are designed to work like a toothbrush along the gum line, which is exactly what your vet is after. It's not edible, so it lasts considerably longer than a treat-based chew, and it's widely available on Amazon UK. Basenjis in particular tend to take to nylon chews well because the texture satisfies their need for persistent, focused chewing. You can also pop it in the fridge for 20 minutes before giving it to her — the cold really does help with sore gums at this stage.

At 13 weeks the puppy nylon is genuinely robust enough — her jaw strength isn't close to adult level yet, so you'll get good mileage from it. The thing to watch for is when she starts breaking off small pieces as she grows; once that starts happening, it's time to move up to the adult size or switch material. For now though, the puppy Nylabone should hold well through the teething phase and give her gums and emerging adult teeth exactly the kind of engagement your vet recommended.

Good luck with her — 13 weeks is a demanding age but it moves fast. If the chair legs remain tempting even with the Nylabone around, try rubbing a tiny bit of dog-safe peanut butter on the chew the first few times to draw her attention to it over the furniture. Should do the trick.