Teething can be a frustrating time with a new puppy, but what can you do to make it easier for both of you? Here, our Westport vets discuss teething in puppies and how you can help relieve your puppy's pain.
My Puppy is Chewing on Everything
The teething process is not fun for either you or your puppy. While you need to take extra care to keep your favorite things away from your puppy's mouth, your puppy is trying to get through the pain.
Unfortunately, one of the easiest ways to relieve the discomfort is by chewing on things, and they'll go for whatever is closest to them.
When do puppies start teething?
While it can vary between breeds, puppies typically get their first set of teeth at about five to six weeks of age. At around 16 weeks old, your pup will begin to lose their needle-sharp baby teeth, and their adult teeth will begin to appear.
How long do puppies teethe?
You may be asking, 'How long does puppy teething last?' When your pup is about six or seven months old, they should have all 42 adult teeth.
Those four to five months are about how long puppies' teethe. Puppies looking to relieve the pain will often chew on almost anything they can find, and because of their small stature, that can often mean furniture legs, expensive footwear, or even your feet or fingers.
So, what can you do about your pup's discomfort? Our Westport Veterinary Associates veterinary team offers a few suggestions.
What can I give my puppy to help with teething pain?
If your puppy is teething, you want to know how to help. Here are some natural ways to provide some teeth relief:
Freeze the Teething Toys
Just like a teething baby, puppies often find chewing on cold or frozen things helps them relieve their teething pain.
While most pet stores sell a range of teething-specific toys, almost any dog toy can be frozen to help relieve your pup's discomfort. Kongs, rubber bones, and dog-specific soft toys are all great options.
Make Sure You Choose Durable Toys
Specific teething bones by brands like Nylabone are appropriately sized for small, medium, and large dogs. They also come in flavors that encourage your puppy to go away from boring-smelling items and over to chew treats that taste excellent. This encourages both healthy chewing habits and relieving pain at the same time.
Teething Sticks
Many reputable dog food brands offer edible puppy teething treats and bones to help relieve your fur baby's mouth pain. Your vet may recommend one specifically for your little dog, or you can pop by your local pet store and choose from various flavors and sizes. Be sure to choose the right size for your pup so they will benefit most from the teething treat you choose.
Freeze Healthy Snacks
Frozen carrots or bagels can make a healthy snack that gives your puppy much sought-after relief from teething pain.
If you plan on giving your pup frozen food, ask your vet if they think it's a good idea.
My puppy keeps biting me. How do I stop it?
Nipping and biting are naturally how puppies play. When one puppy bites another too hard, the hurt pup will let out a high-pitched yelp.
If your young dog is nipping or biting at you, you must stop their behavior as soon as possible before you let it get out of hand. One approach that may often be effective is trying to mimic the sound of a hurt puppy when your young companion bites you. This may startle the puppy and cause them to back off. When they do, make sure you reward their response with a treat.
If this approach leads your puppy to nip at you more aggressively, quietly stop playing with them and walk away, or gently put your pup in their crate for some quiet time.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
