Understanding Teeth, Teething, and Chewing in Puppies

Why Is My Puppy Chewing Everything?

Puppies chew on everything as a natural part of their development. Chewing helps relieve the discomfort of teething, especially when their baby teeth start to come in. It’s also a way for puppies to explore their environment, as they use their mouths to discover new objects. In addition, chewing can be a way for puppies to burn off energy or alleviate boredom. Without proper outlets, they may target furniture, shoes, or other household items. Understanding why your puppy chews is the first step toward managing this behavior effectively.

Signs Of Teething in Your Puppy

Teething can be uncomfortable for puppies, and they often show specific signs during this phase. Common indicators include excessive chewing, drooling, and irritability. You might notice your puppy chewing on toys, furniture, or even their own paws more than usual. Puppies may also be more restless or whiney as their gums become tender. In some cases, you may see small spots of blood on chew toys, a sign that baby teeth are loosening. Keep an eye out for changes in eating habits—your puppy might eat less if their mouth is sore. Recognizing these signs will help you provide the right relief for your teething puppy.

How Long Do Puppies Teethe?

Puppies typically go through teething for a few months, starting as early as 3 weeks and lasting until they’re around 6 months old. The teething process begins when the baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth) start coming in, usually between 3 and 6 weeks of age. These teeth will gradually be replaced by adult teeth, which continue to grow in until around 6 months. The most intense part of teething, when discomfort is highest and chewing increases, is between 4 and 6 months as the adult teeth emerge. Understanding this timeline can help you manage your puppy’s teething stage and prepare for the challenges ahead.

How Many Baby Teeth Do Dogs Have?

Puppies have 28 baby teeth, also known as deciduous teeth, which begin to emerge around 3 weeks of age. These teeth are much smaller and sharper than adult teeth, helping them nurse and chew on softer items. By the time they are around 6 to 8 weeks old, all of their baby teeth should have come in. These 28 teeth will eventually be replaced by 42 permanent adult teeth as the teething process continues. Knowing the number of baby teeth helps you keep track of your puppy’s dental development and can be a useful guide during teething.

When Will My Dog's Baby Teeth Fall Out?

Your puppy’s baby teeth typically start falling out between 12 and 16 weeks of age. The process usually begins with the front teeth, or incisors, followed by the canine teeth and premolars. By the time your puppy is 6 months old, all baby teeth should be replaced by permanent adult teeth. The exact timing can vary depending on the breed, but if your dog’s baby teeth don’t fall out by this time, a visit to the vet may be necessary to check for any issues like retained baby teeth, which can cause dental problems.

What Age Do Dogs' Adult Teeth Come In?

Dogs usually begin to develop their adult teeth between 3 to 4 months of age, shortly after their baby teeth start falling out. By 6 months, most dogs will have a full set of 42 adult teeth, including incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. However, the timeline can vary slightly by breed, with larger breeds often developing teeth a bit sooner than smaller ones. It’s important to monitor your puppy’s dental progress to ensure proper growth and address any concerns about missing or misaligned teeth with your vet.

How Long Does Teething Pain Last in Puppies?

Teething pain in puppies typically begins around 3 to 4 months of age and can last until their adult teeth fully come in, usually by the time they are 6 months old. While the discomfort tends to lessen as the adult teeth emerge, puppies may experience sore gums and an increased urge to chew during this period. The intensity of the pain can vary, with some puppies showing mild signs of discomfort while others may be more restless or irritable. Offering safe chew toys and dental treats can help alleviate the pain and keep your puppy occupied.

How To Help Relieve Teething Pain

Relieving teething pain for your puppy involves providing comfort and safe options to chew on. Cold items like a chilled, wet washcloth or frozen chew toys can soothe sore gums and reduce inflammation. Offering your puppy dental chews or specially designed teething toys gives them an outlet to satisfy their chewing instincts while minimizing discomfort. Massaging your puppy’s gums with a finger brush can also help ease the pain. Avoid giving them hard objects like bones or sticks, as these can damage their developing teeth. Always supervise your puppy to ensure they’re chewing on safe items.

What Should I Feed My Puppy During Teething?

During teething, puppies may experience soreness in their gums, making it important to adjust their diet to ensure they can eat comfortably. Soft, moist foods are often easier for teething puppies to chew and digest. You can soak their kibble in warm water or mix it with wet puppy food to make it softer. Offering frozen treats like chilled fruit pieces (safe for dogs) or frozen dog-safe yogurt can also soothe their gums. It's best to avoid hard treats or bones, which may cause discomfort or damage their developing teeth. Make sure to keep your puppy’s diet balanced and nutritious to support their growth.

What Are Acceptable Chew Toys for Puppies, And Which Ones Should You Avoid?

Selecting the right chew toys is crucial during your puppy’s teething phase. Acceptable chew toys should be soft enough not to damage their baby teeth but durable enough to withstand some chewing. Rubber toys, teething rings, and plush toys designed for puppies are great options. Additionally, bully sticks can be a fantastic choice. They are safe, natural, and provide a satisfying chew while being gentle on their growing teeth.

On the other hand, avoid toys that are too hard, such as bones, antlers, or hard plastic toys, which can lead to broken teeth or gum injuries. Steer clear of toys with small parts that can be chewed off and swallowed, as they pose a choking hazard. Always supervise your puppy when they are playing with any toy, including bully sticks, to ensure their safety.

How Can I Safely Play with My Teething Puppy?

Playing with a teething puppy requires some extra care to ensure they don’t accidentally hurt themselves or you. Puppies often explore their world with their mouths, and during teething, they may be more prone to biting or chewing during play.

To safely play with your teething puppy, follow these tips:

• Use appropriate toys: Opt for soft, puppy-safe toys that won’t damage their sensitive gums or new teeth. Avoid tug-of-war games with hard toys, as these can put undue stress on their developing jaws.

• Avoid hand and finger play: While it can be tempting to let your puppy nibble on your hands during play, this can encourage inappropriate chewing habits. Instead, redirect them to chew toys or bully sticks to satisfy their need to bite.

• Gentle play only: Keep play sessions gentle and avoid any roughhousing that could lead to painful mouth contact. Puppies may get overly excited and bite down harder than intended, which could be uncomfortable for both of you.

• Take breaks: If your puppy gets too mouthy or overexcited, it’s a good idea to pause the play session and give them a break. This can also teach them to manage their biting urges.

By using the right toys and teaching your puppy boundaries during play, you can make sure their teething process is both safe and fun!

What Are Common Dental Problems in Young Dogs and Puppies?

Just like humans, dogs can experience dental problems from a young age. Identifying and addressing these issues early can help prevent long-term health problems. Here are some of the most common dental problems in young dogs and puppies:

• Retained baby teeth: Sometimes, a puppy’s baby teeth don’t fall out as expected, leading to overcrowding or improper alignment of their adult teeth. If retained baby teeth aren’t removed, they can cause discomfort and contribute to dental issues such as tartar buildup or infection.

• Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) can occur in puppies if plaque builds up along the gumline. Regular brushing and dental care can help prevent this condition, but it’s important to monitor your puppy’s gums for redness or swelling.

• Tooth fractures: Young dogs love to chew, but sometimes they can bite down too hard on inappropriate objects, causing tooth fractures. Be mindful of what your puppy is chewing on, and provide safe, puppy-approved chew toys to avoid this issue.

• Malocclusion: Malocclusion is when a dog’s teeth don’t align properly, leading to an abnormal bite. This can cause discomfort or difficulty chewing. Some cases of malocclusion may correct themselves as the puppy grows, but others may require veterinary attention.

• Plaque and tartar buildup: Even young dogs can develop plaque, which can harden into tartar if not removed. Regular brushing and dental care are essential to prevent this from becoming a larger issue as they age.

Monitoring your puppy’s dental health and establishing good oral hygiene practices early on will help prevent these common problems and set them up for a lifetime of healthy teeth!

How To Handle My Puppy's Inappropriate Chewing Behaviors?

Puppies are naturally curious and love to explore the world with their mouths, which often leads to inappropriate chewing. While chewing is a normal part of development, it’s important to guide your puppy toward acceptable behaviors to prevent damage to household items or potential harm to themselves. Here’s how you can manage and redirect inappropriate chewing:

• Puppy-proof your home: Remove items from your puppy’s reach that you don’t want them to chew on, like shoes, cords, or furniture legs. Providing a safe environment can minimize opportunities for destructive chewing.

• Provide plenty of appropriate chew toys: Offer a variety of chew toys designed for puppies, such as rubber toys, rope toys, and teething sticks. Make sure they are safe, durable, and enticing for your puppy. If they start chewing on something inappropriate, redirect them to one of these toys.

• Use positive reinforcement: Reward your puppy when they choose the right items to chew. Praise, treats, or even extra playtime can reinforce good behavior and encourage them to focus on appropriate toys.

• Supervise your puppy: Keep an eye on your puppy when they’re roaming the house, especially during the teething phase. If you catch them chewing on something they shouldn’t, gently remove the item and offer a suitable chew toy as an alternative.

• Exercise and mental stimulation: Puppies often chew out of boredom or excess energy. Ensure they’re getting enough physical exercise and mental stimulation through playtime, puzzle toys, and training sessions to prevent restless chewing.

• Use deterrent sprays: If your puppy is fixated on chewing specific household items, you can apply a safe, bitter-tasting deterrent spray to discourage them from continuing the behavior.

• Create a routine: Having a consistent schedule for feeding, playtime, and rest helps reduce anxiety and boredom, which are often triggers for inappropriate chewing.

By being proactive and consistent in managing your puppy’s chewing behaviors, you can redirect their energy to appropriate outlets and reduce frustration for both you and your furry friend.

Is It Ok to Let My Puppy Scratch and Bite While Playing with Me?

Puppies often engage in play by biting, nipping, or scratching, especially during their teething phase. While it may seem harmless at first, allowing this behavior to continue can lead to more serious issues as your puppy grows. Here's why it’s important to address this behavior early and how to handle it effectively:

• Understanding puppy play behavior: Puppies learn to bite and play rough with their littermates, and they may carry this behavior over to interactions with humans. However, unlike other dogs, humans don’t have thick fur for protection, and a playful bite from a puppy can quickly become painful.

• Why you shouldn’t allow it: If a puppy gets used to biting or scratching during play, they may struggle to understand boundaries as they grow older. What seems playful in a small puppy can be harmful or even dangerous in an adult dog, especially around children.

• Teach bite inhibition: Puppies can be taught to control the force of their bite, known as "bite inhibition." If your puppy bites during play, immediately stop the play and withdraw attention. This teaches them that biting ends fun, helping them learn to be gentler.

• Redirect biting behavior: If your puppy tries to bite you during play, redirect their focus to an appropriate chew toy or treat. Bully sticks, soft rubber toys, or teething rings can be great alternatives that satisfy their need to bite without harming you.

• Use positive reinforcement: Reward your puppy when they play without biting or scratching. Praise, treats, or playtime can reinforce the idea that gentle behavior leads to positive outcomes.

• Establish clear boundaries: Set consistent rules for how you play with your puppy. Avoid rough games like tug-of-war with your hands, and don’t encourage them to bite your fingers or clothing, as this can blur the lines between acceptable and inappropriate play.

• Socialization is key: Exposing your puppy to other dogs and people in controlled settings can help them learn proper social behaviors. Well-socialized puppies are less likely to bite or scratch out of fear or overstimulation.

While it's natural for puppies to explore with their mouths, teaching them that biting or scratching humans is not acceptable is crucial for long-term good behavior. With patience and consistency, your puppy will learn the boundaries of appropriate play.

Will My Dog Ever Stop Chewing Everything?

Puppies, and even young adult dogs, are notorious for chewing just about anything they can get their paws on, from shoes to furniture. While this behavior can be frustrating, it's completely normal—especially during the teething phase. But when does it end? And will your dog ever outgrow their need to chew?

• Chewing is natural: Chewing is a natural and essential behavior for dogs. As puppies, they chew to soothe the discomfort of teething. As they grow, they continue to chew to explore the world, keep their jaws strong, and clean their teeth. So while they may not stop chewing entirely, the frequency and destructiveness should reduce over time.

• When does chewing decrease? For most dogs, excessive chewing tends to decrease as they move out of the teething phase, typically around six to eight months old. However, many dogs continue to chew throughout their lives. The key is to redirect their chewing toward appropriate items, like chew toys and treats, instead of household objects.

• How to manage chewing: Providing your dog with acceptable chew options is crucial. Bully sticks, rubber toys, and dental chews are great choices that satisfy their natural urge without causing damage to your belongings. Regular exercise and mental stimulation also help reduce boredom, a common cause of destructive chewing.

• Training and supervision: Until your dog has learned what’s acceptable to chew, it's important to supervise them and manage their environment. Keeping shoes, cords, and other tempting items out of reach can prevent accidents. If you catch your dog chewing on something inappropriate, redirect them to a proper toy or treat.

• Positive reinforcement: Encourage good chewing habits by rewarding your dog whenever they choose an appropriate item to chew. Praise, treats, or even a fun play session can reinforce the idea that chewing the right items leads to positive outcomes.

• Adult chewing habits: While the intensity of chewing decreases as your dog ages, adult dogs still need regular chewing to keep their teeth healthy and relieve stress. Providing them with appropriate chew toys throughout their life will help curb destructive behavior and keep them entertained.

Chewing may not completely stop, but with patience, training, and proper chew options, your dog will eventually learn what’s appropriate. Over time, the constant gnawing should settle into a manageable habit that keeps both you and your dog happy.

What To Do If My Puppy's Adult Teeth Aren’t Coming In?

If your puppy's adult teeth are slow to emerge, it’s important to monitor the situation closely. Typically, adult teeth begin to come in around six months of age, but variations can occur. If you notice that your puppy is still missing teeth beyond this age, it may be a sign of a dental issue or retained baby teeth, which can obstruct the proper growth of adult teeth.

In such cases, it's best to consult your veterinarian for an examination. They can assess your puppy’s dental health and recommend any necessary treatments. Early intervention is crucial, as unresolved dental problems can lead to more serious issues later on, including misalignment and infection. Additionally, maintaining good dental hygiene during this time can help promote healthy teeth and gums.

Keep an eye on your puppy's chewing habits and continue providing appropriate chew toys to aid the teething process. If you have concerns about your puppy's dental development, don't hesitate to seek professional advice.

Importance Of Brushing Your Dog's Teeth as A Puppy

Establishing a dental care routine for your puppy is essential for their overall health and well-being. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from dental issues, including plaque buildup, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Starting dental hygiene early sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

Brushing your puppy’s teeth helps remove food particles and plaque, preventing tartar buildup. It also acclimates your puppy to having their mouth handled, making dental check-ups and future brushing easier. Using a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs is crucial, as human toothpaste can be harmful to pets.

Aim to brush your puppy’s teeth at least two to three times a week, or ideally daily. In addition to brushing, incorporating dental treats, such as bully sticks, can further support oral health by providing chewing action that helps reduce plaque. Regular vet check-ups will also ensure that any dental issues are addressed promptly.

By prioritizing dental care from a young age, you’re helping your puppy develop healthy habits that can contribute to their overall quality of life, reducing the risk of painful dental problems in the future.

Supporting Your Teething Puppy with Bow Wow Labs

Navigating the teething stage can be a challenging time for both puppies and their owners. By understanding the signs of teething, knowing how long the process lasts, and providing the right chew toys, you can help ease your puppy's discomfort. It’s crucial to remember that chewing is a natural part of their development, and with the right guidance, you can redirect this behavior positively.

At Bow Wow Labs, we are dedicated to enhancing your puppy's chewing experience with our premium bully sticks and the innovative Bow Wow Buddy bully stick holder. Our bully sticks are not only delicious but also serve as a healthy outlet for your puppy's natural chewing instincts, promoting dental health while keeping them entertained. The Bow Wow Buddy ensures that your puppy can enjoy every last bit of their bully stick safely, preventing choking hazards and encouraging responsible chewing.

By prioritizing your puppy’s dental health and providing appropriate chew options, you’re setting the stage for a happy, healthy adult dog. Trust Bow Wow Labs to support you through this important phase of your puppy's life with high-quality products designed for their well-being. Together, we can make teething a smoother experience and foster a lifetime of good chewing habits!

Sources:

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/puppy-teething-pain/ 

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/expert-tips-what-your-puppy-can-safely-chew/ 

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/teething-in-puppies 

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/teeth-teething-and-chewing-in-puppies