When your puppy goes through teething, it can stress you and your pup. In this article, our veterinarians in Ypsilanti provide tips and tricks to help your puppy feel better during this period.
Puppy Teething
Like human babies, puppies experience a teething phase during which they bite and chew on objects to relieve discomfort and pain. Managing this can be challenging as you strive to alleviate their discomfort while protecting your furniture. However, you can take a few actions to support them during this period.
When do puppies start teething?
The timeline for your puppy's teeth varies based on their breed. Typically, puppies start getting their first set of teeth at about 5 - 6 weeks of age. By around 16 weeks old, your pup will begin losing its baby teeth, and its adult teeth will start to come in.
How long do puppies teething last?
When your dog reaches approximately 6 to 7 months of age, they will have all their adult teeth, and the teething phase will be complete.
Nevertheless, the intense teething period, spanning 4 to 5 months, can pose significant challenges for numerous pet owners. To seek relief from discomfort, puppies frequently turn to chew on various objects, such as furniture legs, expensive shoes, and even their fingers or toes due to their small size.
So, how can you relieve your furry friend's discomfort while protecting your valuable possessions? Our veterinary team at Michigan Avenue Animal Hospital offers the following recommendations.
How can I help my teething puppy?
Store Some Puppy Friendly Teething Toys in the Freezer
Like teething babies, puppies often discover that chewing cold or frozen items alleviates teething pain. Most pet stores offer a variety of teething-specific toys, but you can freeze any dog toy to relieve your pup. Consider using Kongs, rubber bones, or dog-specific soft toys for effective relief.
Offer Your Pup Extra Durable Chew Toys
Puppy teething bones, such as those from Nylabone, come in sizes that suit small, medium, and large breeds. They also offer a variety of flavors to attract your puppy to their designated toy instead of household items. This encourages positive chewing habits and provides relief from teething discomfort at the same time.
Edible Teething Sticks for Puppies
Numerous reputable edible puppy teething treats and bones are available on the market to alleviate your fur baby's mouth pain. Please consult your vet for their recommended brand or visit your local pet store. Ensure you select the appropriate size for your pup to maximize the benefits of the chosen teething treat.
Healthy Frozen Foods For Puppies to Chew
Test freezing dog-friendly foods like carrot pieces, blueberries, or apples. Additionally, consider giving your dog ice cubes to chew on. Before providing frozen treats to your pup, make sure to consult your vet to confirm if they're suitable for your dog.
My puppy keeps biting me. What should I do?
Nipping and biting serve as natural forms of play for puppies. When a puppy bites another too forcefully, the injured pup responds with a high-pitched yelp.
If your young puppy is nipping and biting you, it's crucial to tackle this behavior promptly. One effective method involves mimicking a hurt puppy's yelp when your puppy bites. Emit a loud 'OW' in a high-pitched tone to startle your puppy and prompt them to back off. Once your puppy ceases biting and withdraws, remember to reward their positive behavior.
Nevertheless, if employing this approach results in increased aggressive nipping, it's advisable to discontinue playing with your puppy quietly. You can either walk away or gently place them in their crate for some peaceful 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.