Puppy teething can be a difficult time for parents; the pain caused by teething often leads puppies to chew on anything and everything in an effort to relieve their discomfort. Here are a few tips from our White Settlement vets on how to help your puppy through teething. 

Why is my puppy biting me and chewing on everything?

Puppies, like human infants, will bite and chew on objects while teething in order to relieve pain in their mouth. When you're constantly trying to keep your furniture (and fingers) safe from little chompers, puppy teething can seem like a time-consuming process. However, it's important to remain calm and remember that they're just trying to feel better.

When do puppies start teething?

Despite some breed variations, puppies typically erupt with their first set of teeth between the ages of 5 and 6. Your dog's baby teeth, which are razor-sharp, will start to fall out around the time they are 4 months old, and adult teeth will start to erupt.

How long does puppy teething last?

So, exactly how long do puppies teethe? By the time your puppy reaches 6-7 months of age they should have their full set of adult teeth and teething should be a thing of the past. In the meantime, our White Settlement vets offer some puppy teething advice to help you and your pup get through this rough stage:

Store Some Puppy Friendly Teething Toys in the Freezer

Puppies, like teething infants, frequently find that chewing on cold or frozen objects relieves their discomfort. Most pet stores stock a variety of teething toys, but you can freeze almost any dog toy to make your pup feel better. Dog-specific soft toys, rubber bones, and Kongs are all great options.

Offer Your Pup Extra Durable Chew Toys

Small, medium, and large breeds can all use the flavor-infused, specific puppy teething bones offered by companies like Nylabone. This promotes healthy chewing habits while also relieving pain by getting your puppy to chew on a tasty treat rather than your bland-smelling valuables.

Edible Teething Sticks for Puppies

To relieve your pet's mouth pain, many reputable dog food companies sell edible puppy teething treats and bones. Your veterinarian may recommend one, particularly for your small dog, or you can go to a local pet store and choose from a variety of flavors and sizes. To ensure that your dog gets the most out of the teething treat, choose the appropriate size.

Healthy Frozen Foods For Puppies to Chew

Many puppies enjoy eating frozen treats as well as chewing on frozen toys. Slices of apple or frozen carrots are both suitable options. Always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog new "human" food.

My puppy keeps biting me, what should I do?

Nipping and biting are how puppies naturally play. When one puppy bites another too hard, the hurt pup will let out a high-pitched yelp. 

It's critical to stop your puppy's biting and nipping before it gets out of control. One way to stop this behavior is to imitate a hurt puppy's yelp when your little friend bites you. Your puppy should be startled and scared into backing away with a loud little 'ow' in a high-pitched voice. Once your puppy has stopped and backed off, reward them for their good behavior.

If this approach leads your puppy to nip at you more aggressively, quietly stop playing with your puppy and walk away or gently put your pup in their crate for some quiet 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.

Set your new puppy up for success with regular dental exams at Frontier Veterinary Hospital. Contact us today to book an appointment with our experienced White Settlement vets.