Puppy Chewing Phase? 4 Safe & Natural Chews for Growing Aussie Pups

If you've got a new pup at home and are looking for safe natural chews for Aussie puppies, you already know the situation: nothing is safe from those needle-sharp teeth. Skirting boards, pluggers, furniture corners, your hands. The puppy teething phase is relentless, and the instinct to grab the first chew from the pet shop shelf is understandable. But for a puppy with a developing jaw and a sensitive gut, the wrong chew can do more harm than good.

This guide covers the four safest, fully natural chews for growing Aussie pups at 6 months and older: what each one does, who it suits, and what to keep away from them entirely.

This guide focuses on safe natural chews for puppies generally. For bully-stick-specific puppy guidance (age, size, session length), see Are Bully Sticks Safe for Puppies?

Part of our Australian dog chew series: Are Bully Sticks Safe for Puppies? · Best Long-Lasting Dog Chews · Bully Sticks vs Rawhide · Can Bully Sticks Cause Diarrhoea? · Shop Puppy Chews

The 6-Month Rule: Why Timing Matters

Natural Farm recommends introducing hard, long-lasting chews only after your puppy reaches 6 months of age. Before that point, two things are still in development: the adult teeth themselves, and the digestive system's capacity to handle dense, high-protein treats.

A puppy under 6 months still has softer baby teeth that can fracture against a hard chew. Their gut may also be less equipped to process a concentrated protein source without stomach upset. By 6 months, most adult teeth have set, and the digestive system is typically mature enough to handle bully sticks, pig ears, and the other options in this guide comfortably.

4 Safe Natural Puppy Treats for Dogs 6 Months and Older

These four options strike the right balance for a young dog: engaging enough to satisfy the chewing drive, tough enough to last, and safe if a piece is swallowed. All are single-ingredient, free from rawhide, and free from artificial additives.

1. Standard Bully Sticks for Long-Lasting Boredom Relief

Standard bully sticks are one of the most versatile puppy chews available. Made from a single ingredient (grass-fed beef pizzle), they start firm and gradually soften as your pup chews. That progressive texture is well suited to a developing jaw: enough resistance to keep them engaged and working, without the hardness that could stress new adult teeth.

They are fully digestible, so if your pup swallows a piece it tends to break down safely. Natural Farm bully sticks are 100% odour-free, which makes them a practical option for use inside. Crate time, quiet time after a walk, or any moment you need 30 to 45 minutes of calm. For pups 6 months and older, start with a standard size appropriate for their weight.

2. Pig Ears for High-Value Rewards and Crate Training

Pig Ears are a genuine Aussie dog favourite and a particularly sensible choice for puppies. Made primarily from cartilage, they are considerably softer than bone and tend to be easy on developing teeth. At the same time, they have enough resistance to keep a puppy engaged. That satisfying crunch goes a long way with a young dog.

The high palatability of pig ears makes them well suited for moments when you need a high-value reward: crate introduction, settling after a vet visit, or building positive associations with alone time. Because they are softer and tend to finish faster than a bully stick, they work better as a focused reward than as an extended boredom buster.

3. Beef Trachea for Joint Support and Natural Dental Care

Beef Trachea is one of the more nutritionally useful chews for a young dog. The trachea is naturally rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, the same compounds found in joint supplements, making it a practical choice during the growth phase when a puppy's skeletal system is still developing. You are effectively giving your pup joint support in treat form.

The hollow, cartilage-based structure provides a satisfying chew with a gentle crunch that tends to be easy on new adult teeth. At 3 inches, the size is well suited to puppies from 6 months. They finish faster than a bully stick (more of a focused treat than a 45-minute session), but the joint and dental benefit per chew is hard to match at this price point.

4. Beef Jerky Treats for Training and Daily Rewards

Beef Jerky Treats are the softest option on this list and the most versatile for everyday use. Whether it's a training session, a reward after the vet, or a mid-afternoon treat, the 750g bag gives you plenty for daily use across weeks. Soft and pliable, they work just as well as a straightforward treat as they do for structured training.

Because the texture is more forgiving than a stick, they can suit puppies on the smaller side of the 6-month mark who are still building jaw strength. They get the protein boost and the natural beef flavour without the effort required to work through a dense bully stick. Use them alongside your longer-duration chews to build a complete daily treat rotation.

Why Puppies Chew Everything (And Why You Should Let Them)

Puppy chewing is not naughtiness. It is a biological drive. According to RSPCA Australia, chewing is one of the more important natural behaviours for dogs at every life stage, and especially during teething. The pressure of chewing can counteract the discomfort of adult teeth pushing through, and the act itself releases endorphins that help puppies self-soothe and settle.

The goal is not to stop the chewing. It is to redirect it. A puppy that has access to appropriate natural chews is significantly less likely to go after furniture, shoes, or your hands. The chew needs to be the right combination of engaging, safe if swallowed, and appropriately soft for a developing jaw.

Puppy Chew Quick Guide and What to Avoid

Here is how the four safe options compare, followed by a clear list of what to keep away from puppies entirely.