Dachshund teething toys in a multi-pet home

Teething is one of the most intense periods of puppyhood, and with a multi-pet home in the mix it gets a little more complicated — you need toys that satisfy the urge to chew, stay put in one spot, and don't become a hazard for the guinea pigs if something gets knocked around. Having the right chew available — firm enough to work the gums, safe for developing teeth, and ideally something you can chill to soothe the soreness — genuinely cuts down on how much destruction happens. How old is your puppy, what breed, and is the bigger worry the chewing itself or keeping the guinea pigs' space safe?

That's a really sensible concern — a 13-week Dachshund is right in the thick of teething and will chew anything she can reach. Before I point you toward a specific toy, can I ask: does she tend to bat things around and chase them, or does she prefer to settle and gnaw in one place? That'll tell me whether you need something weighted and stable or just something compelling enough that she self-occupies.

Perfect — that's exactly the profile that works best with a Kong Puppy. It's the classic rubber Kong but made from a softer, pink or blue rubber specifically for puppy teeth, so it's firm enough to satisfy the chewing instinct without being hard enough to damage her developing jaw. Because she's a gnaw-and-settle dog, she'll lock onto it and stay in one place, which is exactly what you want for keeping her out of the guinea pigs' zone. The real trick is stuffing it — pack the inside with a bit of puppy-safe soft food or wet food and freeze it. The cold rubber soothes sore gums and the food reward keeps her attention on it for 20 to 30 minutes at a stretch. It won't roll far when frozen solid, so it naturally stays in whatever corner you put it. The small size is right for a Dachshund at this age. Look for the Kong Puppy Small on Amazon UK — it's usually under £8 and it's the version designed for this exact stage.

It's a fair question. The Kong Puppy rubber is non-toxic and natural rubber, and the puppy formula is softer than the adult version precisely because it's designed to flex rather than flake or chip. At 13 weeks a Dachshund won't have the jaw strength to tear chunks off — she'll scuff and mouth it, which is fine. That said, check it every few days as she gets older and her bite strengthens. If you ever see significant gouging, that's the cue to size up or swap to a harder variant. For now at this age and size, you're very unlikely to end up with loose bits on the floor.

You're all set. Freeze it stuffed the night before and she'll be completely absorbed in her corner while the guinea pigs get on with their day undisturbed. Good luck with her — the teething phase passes faster than it feels like it will.