Puppy Teething Information

Just as with human babies, a dog's teething stage can be painful for him and distressing for you. Here are some of the symptoms to look for and ways to help your furry friend make the most painless transition possible, and they may even save your favorite shoes in the process.

  1. Time Frame

    • When dogs begin to eat solid food around 5 or 6 weeks old, they grow a set of "baby" teeth that last until around age 4 or 5 months. At this point, the baby teeth begin to fall out and the permanent adult teeth take their place over a course of 2 to 3 months, though the length of the teething period varies by breed.

    Symptoms

    • The most common symptoms of puppy teething include crying, fever, swollen and bleeding gums, and above all, chewing on everything to alleviate discomfort. They may also whine and become irritable.

    Treatment

    • The best way to help your puppy through the teething process is to provide her with plenty of durable chew toys. Ice cubes and frozen fruit and vegetables not only satisfy the dog's urge to chew, but also numb sore gums and help reduce swelling.

    Bite Inhibition

    • Like babies, dogs chew and bite to ease the pain associated with teething, so expect your puppy to try to nibble your hand or anything he can fit in his mouth. When this happens, firmly tell him no and replace the offending object with a toy, then praise him when he accepts it.

    Warning

    • Do not scream at or strike your puppy if she nips at you or the furniture while teething. Try to be patient and understand that she wants to make you happy, but every now and then she might need a little reminder of what is and is not proper puppy etiquette.