It can be very frustrating to walk into a room and see that your new puppy has chewed apart your favorite pair of shoes. Here, our Brooklyn veterinary team shares some information about the teething process in puppies and how you can help relieve the pain your puppy may be feeling.
Why is my puppy chewing on everything?
The teething process is not fun for you or your puppy. While you need to take extra care to keep your favorite things away from your puppy's mouth, they are trying to get through the pain they are feeling.
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 5 - 6 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 does puppy teething last?
You may be asking 'How long do puppies teethe?'. By the time your pup is about 6 or 7 months old, they should have all 42 of their adult teeth, leaving their teeth behind.
That said, those 4 - 5 months are about how long puppies' teeth intensely. Puppies looking to find relief from 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? Here, our veterinary team offers up a few suggestions.
What can I give my puppy to help with teething pain?
If your puppy is teething then you want to know what you can do to help. Here are some natural ways to provide some teeth relief:
Teething Toys Kept in the Freezer
Just like a teething baby, puppies will often find that chewing on cold or frozen things will help them relieve their teething pain.
While there is a range of teething-specific toys available from most pet stores almost any dog toy can be frozen to help provide relief for your pup. Kongs, rubber bones, and dog-specific soft toys are all great options.
Extra Durable Chew Toys
Specific teething bones by brands like Nylabone are appropriately sized for small, medium, and large dogs. They also come in flavors that will encourage your puppy 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.
Putty 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 a range of flavors and sizes. Be sure to choose the right size for your pup so they will gain the most benefit from the teething treat you choose.
Healthy Frozen Foods
Frozen carrots or bagels can make a healthy snack that also provides your puppy with much sought-after relief from teething pain.
If you're planning on giving your pup any frozen food, make sure you ask your vet if they think that is a good idea first.
What should I do if my puppy keeps biting me?
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 put a stop to 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 your puppy 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.