Everything You Need to Know About Puppy Teething

 

Puppy teething is a process where your little furball starts to lose their baby teeth and grow their adult ones. It’s a lot like when human children lose their milk teeth. But unlike us, puppies go through this phase much quicker.

During this time, you might notice your puppy losing teeth and find tiny teeth around your home. Don’t worry, it’s all part of the process! And while it might be a bit uncomfortable for your pup, it’s a necessary step in their growth and development.

The Process of Puppy Teething

The process of puppy teething starts when your pup is around 3 to 4 weeks old. This is when their baby teeth, also known as deciduous teeth, start to appear. These teeth are sharp and pointy, perfect for a diet of soft puppy food.

But as your puppy grows, these baby teeth start to fall out to make way for their adult teeth. This is when the real fun begins! You’ll notice your puppy’s canine teeth growing in, and your little one might start chewing on everything in sight. This is because the process of teething can cause some discomfort, and chewing helps to relieve this.

So, if you find your chewing puppy gnawing on your favorite pair of shoes, remember, they’re not being naughty. They’re just trying to soothe their sore gums. This is where puppy teething rings and the best puppy chews can come in handy. But more on that later!

Remember, every puppy is unique, and they might not follow this timeline to the tee. Some might start teething earlier, while others might start a bit later. The important thing is to be patient and supportive during this time. After all, your puppy is growing up, and that’s something to celebrate!

In the next sections, we’ll delve deeper into the timeline of puppy teething, the signs to look out for, and how you can help your puppy during this time. So, stick around, there’s a lot more to learn about puppy teething!

When Do Puppies Start Teething?

Age Range for Puppy Teething

One of the most common questions I get asked is, “When do puppies start teething?” Well, the answer is, it varies a bit from pup to pup. But generally, puppy teething begins when they’re around 3 to 4 weeks old. This is when their baby teeth start to emerge.

By the time your pup is about 12 weeks old, most of their baby teeth should have come in. And this is when the real teething process begins. Your puppy will start losing their baby teeth, and their adult teeth will begin to grow in. This phase of puppy teething usually lasts until they’re about 6 months old.

Here’s a handy table to help you understand the general timeline:

Age	Teething Stage
3-4 weeks	Baby teeth start to emerge
12 weeks	Most baby teeth are in
12 weeks – 6 months	Baby teeth fall out, adult teeth grow in

Remember, this is just a general guide. Your pup might start teething a bit earlier or later, and that’s perfectly normal!

Signs That Your Puppy is Teething

Now, you might be wondering, “How do I know if my puppy is teething?” Well, there are a few signs you can look out for.

Firstly, you might notice your puppy chewing a lot more than usual. This is because the pressure of chewing can help to relieve the discomfort of new teeth pushing through the gums. So, if you see your chewing puppy gnawing on their toys, your furniture, or even your fingers, it could be a sign that they’re teething.

Secondly, you might find some tiny teeth around your home. This is a clear sign that your puppy is losing teeth and their adult ones are starting to grow in.

Lastly, your puppy might be drooling more than usual or have slightly swollen gums. These are also common signs of teething.

So, keep an eye out for these signs, and remember, teething is a normal part of your puppy’s development. It might be a bit uncomfortable for them, but with your support and the right puppy teething rings or chews, they’ll get through it just fine!

How Long Does Puppy Teething Last?

Duration of Puppy Teething

As a dog trainer and behavior expert, I often get asked, “How long does puppy teething last?” Well, just like with human kids, the teething process for puppies can take some time.

Generally, the teething process starts when your puppy is around 3 to 4 weeks old and lasts until they’re about 6 months old. So, you can expect your puppy to be teething for about 3 to 4 months. But remember, every puppy is different, and some might take a little longer than others.

Stages of Puppy Teething

Understanding the stages of puppy teething can help you better support your pup during this time. Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. 1. Baby Teeth Eruption (3-4 weeks old): This is when your puppy’s baby teeth, also known as deciduous teeth, start to appear.

1. 1. Baby Teeth In (6-8 weeks old): By this time, all 28 baby teeth should have come in.

1. 1. Baby Teeth Fall Out, Adult Teeth Grow In (12 weeks – 6 months old): This is when your puppy starts losing their baby teeth, and their adult teeth begin to grow in. During this stage, you might find your puppy losing teeth and notice an increase in chewing behavior.

1. 1. All Adult Teeth In (6 months old): By the time your puppy is about 6 months old, all 42 of their adult teeth should have come in.

Here’s a simple table to help you remember:

Age	Teething Stage
3-4 weeks	Baby teeth start to emerge
6-8 weeks	All baby teeth are in
12 weeks – 6 months	Baby teeth fall out, adult teeth grow in
6 months	All adult teeth are in

Remember, teething can be a bit uncomfortable for your pup, but it’s a normal part of their development. Providing the right chew toys and plenty of love and patience can help make this process easier for your little one. And before you know it, your puppy teething phase will be over, and your pup will have a beautiful set of adult teeth!

Signs of Puppy Teething

Behavioral Changes

During the puppy teething phase, you might notice some changes in your puppy’s behavior. One of the most common signs is an increase in chewing behavior. Your puppy might start chewing on their toys, your furniture, or even your fingers. This is because the pressure of chewing can help to relieve the discomfort of new teeth pushing through the gums.

Another common behavior change is an increase in drooling. This is because teething can stimulate your puppy’s salivary glands, leading to more drooling than usual. So, if you notice your puppy’s bed or toys are a bit wetter than usual, it could be a sign that they’re teething.

Physical Symptoms

In addition to behavioral changes, there are also some physical symptoms of puppy teething that you can look out for.

One of the most obvious signs is finding tiny teeth around your home. This is a clear sign that your puppy is losing teeth and their adult ones are starting to grow in.

Another common symptom is swollen or red gums. This is because the process of new teeth pushing through can cause some inflammation in your puppy’s gums.

Finally, your puppy might also have bad breath during the teething phase. This is because the process of teething can cause bacteria to build up in your puppy’s mouth, leading to bad breath.

Here’s a quick summary of the signs of puppy teething:

• • Increased chewing behavior

• • Increased drooling

• • Finding baby teeth around your home

• • Swollen or red gums

• • Bad breath

Remember, these signs are all normal parts of the teething process. But if you’re ever in doubt or if your puppy seems to be in a lot of pain, it’s always a good idea to consult with your vet. They can provide advice and treatment options to help make your puppy’s teething process as comfortable as possible.

How to Help Your Puppy During Teething

Providing Appropriate Chew Toys

One of the best ways to help your puppy during teething is by providing appropriate chew toys. Chewing can help relieve the discomfort of teething, and chew toys can also help keep your puppy’s teeth clean.

When choosing chew toys, look for ones that are designed specifically for teething puppies. These toys are usually made of soft rubber or nylon and are gentle on your puppy’s gums. Puppy teething rings are a great option, as they’re easy for your puppy to hold and chew.

In my experience, the best puppy chews are ones that can be frozen. The cold can help numb your puppy’s gums and provide additional relief from teething discomfort.

Using Frozen Treats

Speaking of cold, frozen treats are another great way to help soothe your puppy’s sore gums. You can freeze a wet washcloth for your puppy to chew on, or you can make homemade frozen treats using puppy-friendly ingredients like peanut butter and banana.

Avoiding Certain Foods

During the teething phase, it’s a good idea to avoid giving your puppy hard foods that could hurt their sensitive gums. Instead, opt for soft foods that are easy for your puppy to eat.

Providing Plenty of Attention and Affection

Finally, remember to provide plenty of attention and affection during this time. Teething can be a stressful time for your puppy, and your love and support can go a long way in helping them feel better.

In my 30 years of working with dogs, I’ve found that a little patience and understanding can make a big difference during the teething phase. So, remember to be patient, provide the right chew toys and treats, and give your puppy lots of love. Before you know it, your puppy’s teething phase will be over, and they’ll have a beautiful set of adult teeth!

Common Problems During Puppy Teething

Chewing on Inappropriate Objects

One of the most common problems during the puppy teething phase is chewing on inappropriate objects. Your puppy might start chewing on your furniture, your shoes, or even your fingers. This is because the pressure of chewing can help to relieve the discomfort of new teeth pushing through the gums.

While it’s important to understand that this behavior is a normal part of teething, it’s also important to teach your puppy what they can and can’t chew on. Providing appropriate chew toys, like puppy teething rings, can help redirect your puppy’s chewing to appropriate items.

Bleeding Gums

Another common problem during teething is bleeding gums. This can happen when your puppy’s baby teeth fall out and their adult teeth start to grow in. While a little bit of bleeding is normal, excessive bleeding is not. If you notice a lot of blood, it’s a good idea to consult with your vet.

Loss of Appetite

Finally, some puppies might have a loss of appetite during the teething phase. This is because the discomfort of teething can make eating uncomfortable. If your puppy is refusing to eat, try offering soft foods that are easy for them to chew. If your puppy continues to refuse food, it’s important to consult with your vet.

Remember, while these problems can be concerning, they’re usually a normal part of the teething process. However, if you’re ever in doubt or if your puppy seems to be in a lot of pain, it’s always a good idea to consult with your vet. They can provide advice and treatment options to help make your puppy’s teething process as comfortable as possible.

When to See a Vet

Signs of Serious Problems

While puppy teething is a normal part of your pup’s development, there are some signs that could indicate a more serious problem. If you notice any of the following, it’s a good idea to consult with your vet:

• • Excessive bleeding: While a little bit of bleeding is normal during teething, excessive bleeding is not. If you notice a lot of blood, it’s important to get your puppy checked out.

• • Persistent bad breath: While bad breath can be a sign of teething, if it persists even after your puppy’s adult teeth have come in, it could be a sign of dental disease.

• • Difficulty eating or refusal to eat: If your puppy is having difficulty eating or is refusing to eat, it could be a sign that they’re in pain.

• • Swollen, red, or painful gums: While some inflammation is normal during teething, if your puppy’s gums are very red, swollen, or painful, it could be a sign of a more serious problem.

Treatment Options

If your puppy is experiencing any of these symptoms, your vet can provide treatment options to help. This might include pain relief medications, special diets, or in some cases, dental procedures.

Remember, while teething can be a challenging time for your puppy, with the right care and support, they’ll soon have a healthy set of adult teeth. And as always, if you’re ever in doubt, it’s best to consult with your vet. They’re there to help ensure your puppy grows up healthy and happy!

Conclusion

Well, there you have it, folks! Everything you need to know about puppy teething. From the stages of teething to the signs to look out for, and how to help your puppy during this time, we’ve covered it all.

Remember, teething is a normal part of your puppy’s development. It might be a bit uncomfortable for them, but with your support and the right chew toys, they’ll get through it just fine. And before you know it, your puppy will have a beautiful set of adult teeth!

In my 30 years of working with dogs, I’ve found that a little patience and understanding can make a big difference during the teething phase. So, be patient, provide the right chew toys and treats, and give your puppy lots of love. After all, they’re not just growing their adult teeth, they’re also growing into the wonderful dog they’re going to be!

Related Reading

If you’re interested in learning more about how to care for your teething puppy, here are some additional resources that you might find helpful:

• • How to Choose the Right Chew Toys for Your Puppy

• • What to Feed Your Puppy During Teething

• • How to Train Your Puppy Not to Chew on Inappropriate Objects

FAQ: Puppy Teething

Over the years, I’ve received a lot of questions about puppy teething. So, I thought it would be helpful to answer some of the most common ones here. Let’s dive in!

Your vet is there to help ensure your puppy grows up healthy and happy. So, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns about your puppy’s teething process. After all, we all want what’s best for our furry friends!