You just found a puppy tooth on your floor, and you are not sure if that is normal? Read on to explore the world of puppy teething and how it affects your dog’s life. Read on.
How cute are puppy teeth? There are many phases in a dog’s life, but teething is probably one of the cutest ones.
This phase is also one of the most challenging ones, at least when it comes to dogs’ owners.
Teething in puppies is often followed by intense chewing of… well, almost anything.
If you leave a puppy alone for a second you might find your Fido chewing a chair, grabbing your favorite shoes (your dog has no idea what shoes are your favorite, he will follow the most pleasing smell), or you might even find your adorable Fido biting on the electrical outlet with big passion.
If you are an experienced dog owner you know that puppy teething is just a phase that will go away in a short (kind of) period.
Just like babies, dogs must go through teething to get their set of strong teeth that will serve them throughout life.
Just like a human baby, puppies first grow a set of baby teeth that are known as deciduous (this means that they fall out), that are pointed and sharp.
If you snap a photo of your puppy during his teething phase and you compare it with these teeth, later on, you will notice that these baby teeth are pointer and very sharp.
Due to their sharpness, these teeth are often referred to as needle teeth.
Dogs have 28 deciduous teeth and end up with 42 permanent teeth.
Deciduous teeth are often found all over the place, but commonly they are found on the floor, as they may snap whole your puppy chews on his toy. However, in most cases, your puppy will swallow his baby teeth while he is eating.
There might be some bleeding when the teeth fall out or are falling out, but this amount should be really tiny, and you shouldn’t stress about it.
It may not be pleasant to see blood around your puppy, but for extra accuracy, you can contact your veterinarian.
Before you get a dog make sure that you learn how to find the right veterinarian for your dog, and what are the traits that you want to see in your vet.
When it comes to having a healthy dog, you need to have a veterinarian whom you may trust.
Puppy Teething
Puppy teething is intense and do not let anyone else tell you otherwise. This can be a daunting phase, but it is also rewarding.
The creative mess that puppies can make while teething is once-in-a-lifetime fun, and you should learn to appreciate every second of it.
It takes about six months for adult teeth to appear, and it takes six months for you to be extra careful and packed with patience in this phase.
During the teething phase, you will catch your puppy doing weird stuff, and you should know that your puppy doesn’t do it to make you stressed, but to relieve teething pain.
Are you familiar with toothache? It’s kind of how teething feels to dogs, so have enough understanding – the teething phase shall pass.
To make the teething stage as pain-free as possible you should be packed on chew toys and treats that can relieve teeth pain and keep your dog occupied from furniture, and other items that he shouldn’t be chewing on.
If your veterinarian recommends it, start a teeth-cleaning routine.
A Timeline of Puppy Teething
The teething phase is on – congrats! This means that your puppy is growing up and your Fido is slowly, but surely entering his adult dog phase.
To survive the teething and nipping phase you need the right amount of knowledge, the teething timeline, and the right amount of chew toys.
Here is what you should expect when it comes to teething dogs from week to week.
2 – 4 Weeks
During this phase, your puppy will be with his mother when baby teeth start coming in. This is the time when the dog is still with the breeder.
During this period, your puppy will open his eyes and he will still be nursing.
5 – 6 Weeks
By week five, your puppy should have all of his puppy teeth. In total, dogs should have 28 baby teeth.
During this phase, puppies should learn how to eat moist and soft puppy food. Once you take your dog home, make sure that you continue feeding him puppy food.
12 – 16 Weeks
This is the period when you will bring your puppy home.
As general rules, dogs shouldn’t be separated from their mother until at least they turn two months of age.
Depending on the breed, some breeders may wait even longer. Bear in mind that large size dogs take more time and more slowly to mature. This may also be a breeder’s preference.
Responsible breeders will always choose to rather wait for the perfect owner than to give their puppy to the first interested person.
During the first 12 to 16 weeks you may find little crumb-to-rice sized teeth around your home.
When this happens it’s a clear sign that the puppy’s baby teeth start to shed and permanent adult teeth are about to appear. This period is painful.
No matter how many chewing toys you might provide, this is still a painful period.
Still, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do your best to provide the most effective chewing toys ever.
When it comes to chewing toys, make sure that you choose the ones that are primarily safe for your pup, like a Kong Treat Pod toy.
Make sure that you stick to regular veterinarian check-ups so your veterinarian can check your puppy’s mouth. This is the best way to make sure that everything is moving along as it should.
Don’t put your focus only on teething in this period, because this is a crucial period when it comes to proper dog socialization.
Did you know that dogs are more than capable of mastering basic commands as of eight weeks of age?
This period is the most important when it comes to helping your dog to become a great canine citizen.
Once you bring your dog home you are responsible for providing the right training and early socialization.
Do not neglect to deliver when it comes to these two important factors, or you will (later on) have to deal with a dog who has tendencies toward destructive behavior.
Destructive behavior in dogs is something that puts a lot of stress both on dogs and owners.
It can be corrected but it will demand an extra amount of time, energy, and even financial investment to work with a professional dog trainer.
To avoid any behavior-related disturbances you should aim to provide the best training early on and early socialization.
6 Months and Older
By the time your dog turns six months all of his teeth should have fallen out.
During this period, the dog’s adult teeth have grown in. In general, adult dogs have about 42 teeth.
If you notice any baby teeth remaining, make sure that you inform your veterinarian. In most cases, the remaining baby teeth should be removed.
How To Survive Puppy Teething
The teething phase is a stage that every dog needs to go through. This phase is stressful to people but painful to dogs.
As a dog owner, your responsibility is to provide something for your dog to chew on. To make the teething process comfortable and stress-free you should give your dog enough toys to chew on.
To keep your shoes, furniture, and children’s toys safe give your puppy something on his own to chew.
The best objects to offer teething puppies will depend on the dog’s size and level of activity.
Teething toys include puppy teething rings and puppy chew toys with flavors.
If you need more recommendations on puppy chewing toys, talk with your veterinarian for more recommendations.
Will My Dog Ever Stop Chewing Everything?
Simply said, yes. It may not end when you desire it the most, but it will happen.
Excessive chewing should stop by the time your puppy turns 18 months of age.
This is the most common timeline, but it doesn’t mean that it will be the case with your dog, because everything may vary from dog to dog.
Some dogs may be into chewing and chewing and will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Dogs use their mouth to explore, so too much chewing can be a normal way of exploring the world around them.
Dogs learn about the world around them by chewing, licking, and mouthing.
They also love to move objects from one place to another. This is especially seen in breeds that love to retrieve, such as the beloved Labrador Retriever.
On the other hand, if chewing is excessive or in any way aggressive, you should advise your veterinarian on how to provide the best behavior modification practice.
Puppy Teething Symptoms
If you are a first time dog owner, you might feel overwhelmed with the teething phase, but there is no reason to stress.
Dogs are much stronger than we give them credit for, even puppies. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to make the teething phase more stress-free is to prepare well for it.
This means that you should know how to recognize the teething process and provide the best dental care possible.
All in all, teething in puppies isn’t difficult to identify.
Here are the most common puppy teething symptoms:
- Excessive chewing or nipping
- Drooling
- Small blood spots on your dog’s toys
- Red or swollen gums
- Fever
- Slower-than-normal eating
- Crying or whining
If your dog’s teeth are anyhow crooked or broken, contact your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian will provide you with the best advice and treatment.
Make sure that you follow on instructions. In some cases of major injuries, baby teeth might be removed.
Keeping The Teeth Healthy
Now that you know what you can expect during different stages of teething, you should be better prepared and willing to have more compassion and patience for your puppy.
Once your dog gets his adult dogs they will be in perfect condition ready to chew on delicious treats and high-quality food.
As a responsible dog owner, your job here is to keep them that way.
Did you know dog’s teeth are the most important indicator of a dog’s overall health? This is why keeping teeth healthy and strong should be imperative.
Keeping your dog’s teeth healthy and strong is easier when you know how to do it.
First thing is that you need to provide high-quality food (both vet and dry) so your dog can chew and keep his teeth busy.
With so many different dog food on the pet market, it should be easy to find food that can actually promote a dog’s overall health.
Did you know that dogs don’t have the sense to use their tongue to dislodge chewed food from their teeth? This is why chewed food combined with a plaque in the mouth often leads to dogs having stinky breath.
When stinky breath occurs it’s usually a sign of periodontal disease which is in dogs a serious medical problem.
If your veterinarian recommends it, brush the dog’s teeth regularly. Make sure that you use only products that are dog friendly.
Secondly, you shouldn’t ignore the grooming practice. Yes, a big deal of grooming practice is brushing, but that ain’t the only one.
If you want your Fido to have a long and healthy life you need to invest in grooming.
Not only that you should provide weekly brushing and nail trimming, but you should implement weekly gums check, to make sure that the dog’s teeth are in great order.
If you notice anything unusual, such as white gums, make sure that you contact your veterinarian.
Thirdly, you should learn as much as possible about suitable dog nutrition.
This doesn’t mean that you should only provide high-quality food, but you should know which food to serve, when and in how big portions.
On top of that, you should learn which foods are great for dogs’ teeth and what should be avoided in terms of human foods. That being said, did you know that the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day at the vet’s office?
The main reason for this lies in the fact that dogs are experts when it comes to grabbing human food, especially during the holiday season.
Last but not the least, you should implement the right treats in your dog’s diet.
This means that you should invest in treats that will remove the plaque from your dog’s teeth.
Be careful when it comes to treats and always serve them in moderation. Treats can easily lead to weight gain if you are not careful.
Once you get a dog you are directly responsible for his weight. Make sure that you provide nutrition that will help dogs thrive, and not lead to health issues.
If you have any worries regarding your dog’s diet or weight, make sure that you contact your veterinarian.
Think About Dental Care
Just as much as you care about your dental health, you should equally about your dog’s teeth.
This means that not only that you should keep Fido clean and food-free, but you should provide the right treats and sticks to help dogs with plaque.
Next to this providing regular veterinary care is a must, especially if your dog is prone to dental issues.
Here are some tips that should help you implement the best dental care for your dog:
- If you notice strong breathe in your dog inform your veterinarian
- React if you notice any discoloration
- If your veterinarian recommends it, brush dog’s teeth
- Provide dental chews
- Provide a regular dental checkup
Don’t get too surprised if your veterinarian tells you to bring your puppy to the vet’s office for a dental checkup.
Your veterinarian will check the puppy for the following:
- Crooked teeth
- Jaw misalignment
- Bad breath
- Broken or cracked teeth
- Bleeding and swollen gum
- Tartar build-up
The best way to keep your dog’s teeth healthy and strong is to implement the best dental routine possible. This is the most effective way from keeping dental diseases close.
Puppy-Proof Your Home
Puppies are active little begins. No matter how much experience with dogs you might be having, your puppy will still manage to surprise you.
This is why you should think in advance and do your best to keep your puppy and your home safe.
To achieve this in the shortest time possible and in the best way possible, you should puppy-proof your home.
Gate off rooms, cover electrical outlets, hide wires, hide cords, and keep objects such as shoes, magazines, and even towels and pillows out of reach.
Make sure that you supervise your dog as much as possible. Do not forget to remove potentially dangerous household items away.
In fact, anything that can be anyhow dangerous to dogs, including toxic plants, should be out of the dog’s reach.
Is your hallway packed with aloe vera, daffodils, or lilies? If so, make sure that you remove them as they’re toxic to dogs.
Is your garden covered in tulips? If the answer is yes, make sure that you keep your puppy (and even an adult dog) far from that area.
Likewise, human foods especially toxic ones to dogs such as opinion and garlic should be kept far from the dog’s reach.
The same applies to caffeinated or alcoholic beverages that should never be part of a dog’s consumption.
The Bottom Line
Puppy teething is a great time to learn more about your dog’s needs and to implement the best dental care possible.
Do not get mad at your puppy (there will be some cause for that) but try to understand your Fido, as he goes through massive change and some painful moments.
Monitor your puppy closely, provide regular veterinarian check-ups and react fast if you notice anything unusual.
Your puppy’s adult teeth will arrive before you know it!
