The period of your puppy's life where they begin teething can be a difficult time for pet parents. Pain that is caused by teething will often lead to our adorable companions chewing on things that they really shouldn't. Here are a few tips and tricks from our Torrance vets on how to help your puppy find pain relief and how to get you both through this tough stage.
Why is my puppy biting me and chewing on everything?
The teething process in your puppy may seem like a very long process if your companion is chewing on anything they can get their mouth around. It's important, however, to remain calm and remember that your puppy doesn't want to be naughty. They are uncomfortable and are trying to relieve their pain. It just to happens that chewing on the leg of your new sofa may be their best way of making their mouth feel a bit better.
When do puppies start teething?
Breeds may vary a bit in their teething timeline, but puppies will generally get their first set of teeth at about 5 - 6 weeks old. at about 16 weeks, your young dog will start losing their needle-sharp baby teeth and their adult teeth will start to emerge.
How long do puppies teethe?
By the time your pooch is about 6 - 7 months old, they should have all 42 of their adult teeth and teething should be a thing of the past.
With that being said, the 4 - 5 months where your puppy's teething is at its most intense can be a real issue for many pet parents. As puppies search for relief from pain, they will often chew on nearly anything they can get their mouth around. and, because of their size, this often means, furniture legs, footwear or even your fingers or feet.
So what can you do to help relieve your furry friend's discomfort and protect your valuable belongings? Here are a few suggestions from our veterinary team at Torrance Companion Animal Hospital.
What can I do to help us both get through puppy teething?
Store Some Puppy Friendly Teething Toys in the Freezer
Just like teething babies, puppies will often find that chew toys that have been chilled or frozen can help to alleviate some teething pain. While there are a range of available teething-specific toys that are available from most pet stores, nearly any dog toy can be frozen to provide some relief for your pup. Rubber bones, Kongs and other dog-specific soft toys can all be excellent options for this.
Offer Your Pup Extra Durable Chew Toys
Specific puppy teething bones by brands such as Nylabone are sized appropriately for small, medium and large breeds and come flavored to help encourage your puppy away from boring smelling valuables and over to a tasty chewy treat - encouraging both healthy chewing habits and relieving pain at the same time.
Edible Teething Sticks for Puppies
There are many reputable dog food brands that offer edible teething treats for your pup. Your vet may recommend a specific one for your little dog or you can visit a pet store and select from a range of flavours and sizes. Make sure that you choose the right size for your dog to help give them the most benefit from the teething treat that you do choose.
Healthy Frozen Foods For Puppies to Chew
Many puppies enjoy tasty treats such as frozen bagels, frozen carrots or other healthy veggies. If you are planning to offer your pup a frozen food always speak to your vet first to ensure it's a good option for your pup.
My puppy keeps biting me, what should I do?
Nipping and biting is 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 and biting at you, it's important to put a stop to this behavior as soon as possible before it has the chance to get out of hand. One effective approach to stopping this behavior is mimicking the sound of a hurt puppy when your small friend digs their teeth into you. If you let out a loud, but little "ow" when your puppy starts acting up, they should become startled and back off. When your puppy stops nipping at your, make sure you reward their good behavior.
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 from 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.