If you’re welcoming home a new puppy for the first time, it can be an exciting and fulfilling experience! However, along with the adorable moments come various challenges, including puppy teething. Just like human babies, puppies go through a teething phase as they transition from their milk teeth (also known as puppy teeth) to their adult teeth.
This period can be uncomfortable for your furry friend and may present challenges for both you and your puppy. Here at Pretty Pets Kennel, we will discuss all about puppy teething in detail, list the symptoms to watch out for, the timing of teething stages, and useful, effective home remedies to help manage your puppy’s teething discomfort.
By understanding the teething process and how it works, you can apply solutions to help make the whole process comfortable for your puppy. In addition, you can ensure a smoother transition for your puppy while safeguarding your household items.
What To Expect From Puppy Teething Period
What is Puppy Teething?
Puppy Teething occurs when your puppy’s baby teeth start to fall out, so their adult teeth can begin to grow in their place. It’s a natural process that indicates that your dog is growing, and this development is expected. This process isn’t the same for all puppies — for the lucky ones, these puppies can go through this experience with less comfort while the adult teeth develop and on the other hand, most puppies will go through this period with discomfort. When that happens, they typically start to exhibit behaviour that helps ease their pain and alleviate the discomfort. That’s where chewing behaviour starts.
Chewing, nibbling, and gnawing are ways your dog does to help relieve the pain in their sore gums. In addition, it’s also their way of exploring their environment and getting to know the surrounding items as they grow. Since they are still getting used to exploring how things work, you may expect them to use their mouth on anything that piques their interest.
Puppy Teething Timeline
Birth to 2 Weeks
When a puppy is born, they don’t have teeth yet. This is usually the time when they will be nursing and opening their eyes for the first time.
Weeks 2 to 4
During this period, the first few incisors of the pup will grow out on the front, at the top and bottom of the mouth. Then around the 3rd week, the premolars and molars will appear at the back of the mouth and eventually, around the 4th week, the more incisors will grow to frame the first few that grew out.
Weeks 5 to 8
The last few incisors are expected to grow out by this time and puppies should have complete 28 “milk teeth” which they can use to eat soft puppy food. During the 8th week, it’s expected that your pup’s adult, permanent teeth will start to push and the baby teeth will start to fall on its own. In some cases, some baby teeth will not fall off, resulting in double rows of teeth. You may visit the vet to help pull out the excess teeth, so your dog’s permanent teeth will grow out properly.
Weeks 12 to 16
This is the time when your puppy’s baby teeth will fall at the adult teeth start to emerge. This period is the most uncomfortable and can be a painful period for your puppy during the transition of their teeth. Providing them with teething toys is recommended. Owners can also use this time to check and touch around the dog’s mouth to prepare for brushing.
6 Months and Older
At this age, your dog’s teeth should all be replaced with adult teeth and there are no baby teeth left behind. If there are any baby teeth left, it’s best to have them removed with the help of your vet. Adult dogs should have 42 teeth around the 7th month.
Puppy Teething Symptoms
The teething process in puppies is not limited to the early months. Some puppies may continue to teethe until they reach around a year old. They will need all the help to alleviate the discomfort and will show it through different signs. During this time, it’s best to check your pup’s condition and their teeth – to check for any potential problems. Some common symptoms of puppy teething include:
- Excessive chewing, gnawing, and nibbling
- Drooling
- Sore, swollen gums
- Some bloods spots on your dog’s toys
- Fever
- Difficulty chewing and slower eating
- Crying
- Whining
Top Solutions for Managing Puppy Teething
Puppy owners can make use of different remedies to alleviate their puppy’s teething discomfort. There’s a range of effective solutions and techniques that can help soothe your teething puppy’s gums. The combination of these tips is the best way to manage your dog’s teething process.
- Offer Toys for Teething
There is a wide variety of toys available for your puppy to chew on, whether it’s soft or hard. It keeps them occupied to prevent biting your household items and helps alleviate the discomfort and pressure on their teeth. Soft toys are usually best for chewing with their baby teeth, whilst harder, more durable toys are best for more powerful chewing in between transition to adult teeth and up until they are adults.
- Train Your Dog
In addition to teaching your puppy how to potty train, obedience training is also key to helping manage their behaviour while inside your home. This training is done, so they are taught what to keep off limits and prevent them from causing wreckage on your furniture, slippers, cords, and more. It also helps train them to prevent biting at any part of your body and on other people. Remember to reward them for a good job and use positive reinforcement. Avoid punishing or raising your voice when they make mistakes as well.
- Puppy-proof Your Home
Dogs are naturally curious, so whenever they encounter anything that may interest them, they may end up using their mouth to discover and explore. More or less, your chosen item might become ruined when untrained, curious dogs get their mouth on them. So, be sure to hide inappropriate items, put away hanging cords or items they can easily reach, add boundaries or blockage for parts of the house you don’t want them to reach (puppy door or gates), and keep them off toxic items, food, and drinks. Be sure to supervise your dog at all times!
- Give Cold Treats
Giving your puppy cold treats for their teething can help keep them happy while keeping their gums soothed. Treats can vary from cold biscuits to cold, appropriate fruits or vegetables. In addition, you can also put some dog toys on the fridge to cool them and give them as cooling teething toy for a comfortable chewing experience.
Conclusion
Puppy teething can be a challenging phase for both puppies and their owners. It’s a natural process wherein a puppy’s baby teeth or milk teeth gradually fall off for their adult set of teeth to grow in place. The phase can be uncomfortable, so keeping your puppy’s experience comfortable is key to keeping them happy and satisfied. However, with knowledge and preparation, you can navigate this period successfully and ensure the well-being of your furry companion while keeping their teeth healthy and strong. By recognizing the symptoms, understanding the timing of teething stages, and implementing effective solutions, you can provide your puppy with comfort and relief during this process. Remember to consult your veterinarian for additional guidance and to ensure your puppy’s dental health is properly monitored. With patience, care, and appropriate management techniques, you can help your puppy go through the teething phase and contribute to healthier growth and behaviour development.