When Do Puppies Start Teething?
Puppies typically begin to teeth around 3 weeks old and at roughly 6 weeks all of their baby teeth will have grown in. These baby teeth will begin to fall out around 12 weeks which is when the permanent teeth start to come in. Normally by 6-8 months of age, all of the baby teeth will have fallen out and been replaced with adult teeth.
While we all love puppies, this roughly 6-month period of teething may have you losing your mind if you aren’t properly prepared. Here are seven puppy teething tips to help ease the pain for your pup and also help you avoid some disastrous situations.
- Use Puppy Toys Instead of Your Finger
- rubber, hollow toys such as a Kong
- edible puppy teething rings
- flavored puppy chew toys
- rope toys
- bully sticks
- Freeze Puppy Toys and Food to Numb the Pain
- Try Wet Foods
- Herbal Remedies
- Puppy Teething Gel
- Control the Environment
- Start Dental Hygiene Early
The best objects to offer teething puppies will depend on the size and level of activity of your dog. For safety purposes, make sure to always supervise your puppy while they are chewing on toys. Here are just a few suggested teething toys you can try:
Toys aren’t only a great way to keep your puppy occupied but they can also help ease the pain your puppy is experiencing during teething. If you have a rope toy, try soaking it in water and then freeze it. If you don’t, any rubber or hollow toys, such as a Kong, that can hold water may also be used to relieve pain. Don’t have any toys on hand? Use a clean washcloth, hand towel or even just a t-shirt, soak it in clean water, and then freeze it. These frozen toys are great way to help reduce the swelling and pain your pup is experiencing.
If you’ve ever had a tooth ache, then you know avoiding certain types of foods that may cause you pain is just a natural reaction. Your puppy may do the same thing and be hesitant to eat. To make sure your puppy is properly fed without causing pain, opt for wet dog foods instead. If you don’t have any wet dog food available, you can try adding water to their dry food so it softens.
If you have any lavender or chamomile tea on hand, you may be aware that herbal plants like lavender and chamomile have soothing properties to them. You can make your pup a weak herbal tea, let it cool and then pour some of it over your pup’s dry food or simply just freeze the tea into chewable ice cubes.
Puppy teething gel is an additional method that can help soothe their gums and ease pain. This method may only be necessary if your puppy is really suffering so be sure to consult with your vet before applying and if you have any questions.
We all have heard the story about a puppy completely destroying a couch or entire living room. So how can you keep your puppy from chewing up all your furniture and household items? Simply put your puppy in a secure, comfortable crate if they are crate-trained or within a boundary blocked off by a baby gate. Make sure to also remove any items that you don’t want them to chew on and put some chew toys in the crate or blocked off area to help your pup stay occupied. Reward-based training can also combat destructive behavior by teaching your pup that it’s a good thing when they chew on their toys.
Getting a dental routine in early may not only help with your pups teething but it will also build the habit early on, making it easier on you once the adult teeth start to come in.
Utilize softer toothbrushes to gently remove any bacteria and help reduce puppy breath. A pro tip that may even shorten the teething process and also help relieve pain is massaging their gums. This remedy will at the least provide some temporary relief but may also encourage their adult teeth to come to the surface of the gums sooner.
Don’t Forget About Pet Insurance for Your Pup!
The excitement and love new puppies bring into our lives is something that all of us pet owners are thankful for. That’s why taking care of our loved ones and being prepared is so important. Our team here at PNW Insurance Group loves our pets – just check out our Pets of PNW page! – and would love to help assist you if you are interested in getting pet insurance for your brand-new puppy. Simply give us a call or request an online pet insurance quote today!