KONG Puppy

The KONG Puppy line is made in a softer rubber than the red Classic, in pink and light blue, and it exists for one reason: puppies are teething and their milk teeth cannot take the firmer compounds. It runs from the stuffable Puppy KONG through the Goodie Bone, Binkie, teething stick, Puppy Wubba and the Puppy flyer and ball, plus Easy Treat and Ziggies in a puppy formulation.

Teething runs roughly from three to six months, and a frozen stuffed KONG is one of the few things that genuinely helps: the cold takes the edge off sore gums and the chewing goes into rubber instead of skirting boards. Pack it with wet puppy food or Easy Treat and freeze it solid first.

Move up to red Classic rubber once the adult teeth are in, usually around six to seven months. Puppy rubber is deliberately soft and an adult dog will get through it quickly, which is a sign to change grade rather than a defect.

Size on the puppy's expected adult jaw where you can, and never leave a toy small enough to sit behind the back teeth.

• All KONG - the full brand page
• KONG Dog Toys - what to move up to
• All Dog Toys - every brand we stock
• Puppy Food - complete diets for growth