Does Teething Cause Diarrhea in Puppies?

Just like babies who are getting new teeth, puppies who have lost their milk teeth and are getting permanent teeth can experience discomfort and pain. Most puppies begin to teethe around four months; the teething process continues off and on for a few months. Appetite loss and diarrhea, along with evidence that your puppy is trying to chew everything, may also occur. And while the latter is common, the former is not. Treating the diarrhea is a manageable task, and it's important to know when to bring your veterinarian into the picture.

  1. The Teething Diarrhea Connection

    • Puppies who are teething tend to have more drool and saliva in their mouths than they would otherwise. Swallowing this mucus can lead to digestive upset, which can lead to diarrhea.

    Dietary Indiscretion and Diarrhea

    • During teething, puppies want to work out their discomfort by chewing on items in an attempt to soothe the discomfort. Many puppies will inadvertently wind up chewing on items that can lead to "dietary indiscretion," where particles or remnants of anything else they happen to get into their mouths get ingested and do not sit well with their immature digestive tracks. These actions can lead to diarrhea.

    Treating Diarrhea in Puppies

    • If the diarrhea has just begun, your puppy is less than 8 months old and shows no signs of dehydration, substitute dog food for rice and chicken and a bit of water every 12 hours for 24 hours. This should help give your puppy's tummy a break and resolve the diarrhea.

    When to Call the Veterinarian

    • If your puppy is less than 7 weeks old and has diarrhea, contact your veterinarian immediately because young puppies can quickly become dehydrated. There could be a more serious problem than teething. If your puppy's diarrhea does not resolve itself within 24 to 48 hours, notify your veterinarian.

    Treating Teething

    • Provide your puppy with an ample supply of chew toys during the teething period. When your puppy seems particularly uncomfortable, you can freeze a toy or freeze a wet washcloth and let him gnaw on it, as cold is soothing for sore gums.

      Keep all items that you do not want chewed out of the puppy's path, and consider crating the dog during times when you are out of the house.