As a pet parent, it is common to experience frustration when your puppy starts teething. This is because the pain caused by teething can often lead our young pets to chew on things they shouldn't. Our vets in Seattle have a few suggestions on how you can help manage your puppy's discomfort and make it through this challenging time together.
Why is my puppy biting me and chewing on everything?
The process of teething in puppies may seem excessively long, especially when your furry friend chews on anything they can find. During this process, it's important to remember that your dog is not being naughty; they are trying to relieve their pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, chewing on the leg of your sofa helps soothe their sore mouth.
When do puppies start teething?
Different breeds may experience some variation, but in general, puppies will grow their first set of teeth at approximately 5 to 6 weeks of age. At around 16 weeks old, your puppy will start losing their sharp-tipped baby teeth and their adult teeth will start emerging.
How long does puppy teething last?
By the time your puppy reaches the age of 6 or 7 months, they should have all 42 of their adult teeth, leaving their baby teeth behind. However, during the 4-5 months leading up to this, puppies can experience intense teething pain.
As a result, they may chew on almost anything they can find, including furniture legs, expensive footwear, or even your fingers or toes. So, what can you do to ease your pup's discomfort and protect your valuable belongings?
Our veterinary team at Madison Park Veterinary Hospital has a few suggestions.
What can I do to help us both get through puppy teething?
Store Some Puppy Friendly Teething Toys in the Freezer
Puppies, much like teething babies, tend to find relief from their teething pain by chewing on cold or frozen objects.
Although pet stores offer a range of toys specifically designed for teething, any dog toy may be frozen to provide comfort for your pup.
Kongs, rubber bones, and soft toys made specifically for dogs are all recommended options.
Offer Your Pup Extra Durable Chew Toys
Brands like Nylabone offer teething bones that are specifically designed for small, medium, and large dogs. These bones come in different flavors that will entice your puppy and encourage them to chew on something that tastes good and is healthy for them. This way, it promotes good chewing habits and helps relieve their pain at the same time.
Edible Teething Sticks for Puppies
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 benefit most from the teething treat you choose.
Healthy Frozen Foods For Puppies to Chew
Puppies can often relish a delicious treat such as a frozen carrot or bagel to munch on as a healthy snack.
However, before feeding your furry friend any frozen food, it is recommended to consult your veterinarian and check whether they approve of it.
My puppy keeps biting me. What should I do?
Puppies naturally play by nipping and biting each other. However, if one puppy bites another too hard, the hurt pup will let out a high-pitched yelp.
If your young dog is also nipping or biting at you, it's important to stop their behavior as soon as possible before it becomes a habit. One effective method to stop this behavior is 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, reward them with a treat. But if this approach leads your puppy to nip at you more aggressively, stop playing with your puppy and walk away or put them 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.