One thing everyone who gets a new puppy expects is chewing. But sometimes we are thrown off by exactly how much they will chew and how they seem to chomp on everything. Our Argyle vets share some of the reasons why puppies chew and how you can help them while they are teething.
Teething Puppies: How Can You Help?
Chewing is a natural part of a puppy's life, and they will chew on everything they can. But it's important to try and stay calm and remember that your pup isn't trying to be naughty, they are trying to relieve the pain and discomfort they are feeling. It just so happens that chewing on your new sofa's leg may be the perfect thing for making your pup's mouth feel better.
At what age do puppies start teething?
The first teeth usually appear once your puppy is around five to six weeks old. At around 16 weeks old your pup will begin to lose their needle-sharp baby teeth and their adult teeth will begin to appear.
How long does this teething stage last?
You should notice that your pup has all 42 of their adult teeth by the time they are six or seven months old and teething should be a thing of the past.
The four to five months of teething can be a very trying time for many pet parents. Puppies looking to find relief from the pain will often chew on almost anything they can find, and because of their small stature that can often mean furniture legs, expensive footwear or even your feet or fingers.
So what can you do to help relieve your furry friend's discomfort and protect your valuable belongings? Here, our vets at Argyle Veterinary Hospital offer some tips on preventing your puppy from chewing.
How can you help your puppy through teething?
Offer Frozen Teething Toys
Much like teething babies, puppies often find that chewing cold or frozen items helps to relieve teething pain. While there is a range of teething-specific toys available from most pet stores almost any dog toy can be frozen to help provide relief for your pup. Kongs, rubber bones, and dog-specific soft toys are all great options.
Only Give Them Strong Toys
Specific puppy teething bones by brands such as Nylabone are sized appropriately for small, medium and large breeds and come flavored to help encourage your puppy away from boring smelling valuables and over to a tasty chewy treat - encouraging both healthy chewing habits and relieving pain at the same time.
Let Them Chew on Teething Sticks
There are a number of types of teething sticks on the market created with teething puppies in mind. 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 gain the most benefit from the teething treat you choose.
Give Your Puppy Frozen Food
Many puppies enjoy tasty treats such as frozen bagels, frozen carrots or other healthy veggies. You should always reach out to your vet before giving your puppy any type of human food.
How can you get your puppy to stop biting?
Nipping and biting are naturally how puppies play. When one puppy bites another too hard, they will yelp quite loudly.
If your young pup is nipping and biting at you it's important to put a stop to this behavior before it gets out of hand. One effective approach for stopping this behavior is to mimic the yelp of a hurt puppy when your little friend digs their teeth into you. Once your puppy has stopped you can offer them a treat or reward for listening.
If this approach leads your puppy to nip at you more aggressively, You should stop playing immediately and move away quietly to another area or place them in the crate to relax.
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.