Teething Puppies
Puppies are born without teeth and start to get their milk teeth around 3 weeks, they normally have a full set around 6-8 wks of age and have a total of 28 teeth.
Between the ages of around approximately three to seven months is when they normally start to lose their milk teeth and grow their adults, and this is the period of "teething" just like human babies, that dogs can also find uncomfortable.
The first teeth they lose are their incisors, followed by their premolars and then their canine teeth and eventually by the age of approximately seven to eight months they end up with a full set of 42 adult teeth.
Between the ages of around approximately three to seven months is when they normally start to lose their milk teeth and grow their adults, and this is the period of "teething" just like human babies, that dogs can also find uncomfortable.
The first teeth they lose are their incisors, followed by their premolars and then their canine teeth and eventually by the age of approximately seven to eight months they end up with a full set of 42 adult teeth.
Signs a puppy is Teething:
All dogs are different but the most common signs are:
All dogs are different but the most common signs are:
- Increased chewing and gnawing
- Decrease in appetite
- Physical discomfort: whining,apathy, may take themselves off to sleep and general unable to settle or may get more aggressive in play etc.
- Physical signs: You may find teeth on the floor or puppy may have redness and swelling of gums or bleeding. Or drooling, you may find patches of wet in their bed or areas they sleep or rest.
How to deal with teething stage:
- Be patient, understand this is a phase he has to go through in his development and may be in discomfort.
- Provide puppy with lots of things to chew on, to prevent them from finding their own chews which may be you, your home or shoes!
- Ideal chews could be things like Kongs filled with things like treats, yoghurt, apples chunks, blueberries, strawberries, cream cheese to plug top... you can freeze these too. Or you could put their daily feed portion in one and give instead of using a bowl.
- Strong rubber toys, nylabone toys but always watch for signs of wear and tear on a regular basis and remove if too worn or bits being chewed off, rope toys, natural animal parts such as Pizzles, cow, lambs and rabbits ears, or frozen carrots. Yak Milk chews such as Yakers are proving popular amongst our members.
- The more variety the better, but always supervise best you can , especially when something new is given, Regularly check the condition of the toy or rubber chew if signs or bad wear and tear remove toy and replace.
- Do not give shoes, as puppy cannot distinguish between these and your shoes as to him a shoe is a shoe and all fair game.
- Make sure you do not leave items around that the puppy may chew on or they are out of their reach.
- Allow you puppy time to sleep and a quiet place to rest if he is feeling like he does not want to interact with you.
- To help relieve some of the pain give puppy an ice cube to munch on ( in moderation ) or wet a tea towel and wring it and then twist it into a rope shape or plait it.
- Pop it into freezer and then give this to puppy to chew. The cold helps numb the gums and brings some relief from pain. Do keep an eye, as the aim is not to shred or eat the towel.You can add treats inside to make it more fun.
- Frozen Kongs: Fill with bits of apple and carrot, or yoghut and mashed banana, Yoghurt and strawberries, treats, peanut butter ( ones that do not contain Xlitol) and freeze.
- You can buy teething gels for dogs such as Mark and Chappels Puppy Teething Gel found in Pets at home .
When vet help may be needed:
- Sometimes puppies can retain their milk teeth and they do not fall out as the adult one is growing, so they are both occupying the same space and on this occasion vet intervention is needed.
- So check your puppies mouth whilst he is teething to ensure you can see that there are no signs of teeth being retained. However never attempt to pull a tooth yourself ALWAYS seek vet intervention.
Protecting your furniture whilst teething:
You can buy anti chews sprays to spray around your home but this are not always effective with some dogs and some like the taste!
Bitter Apple Spray seems to be one that is more effective amongst our members
Some people suggest using Vicks or Olbas oil..please be aware that camphor found in these type of products can be dangerous to your dog if ingested.
You can buy anti chews sprays to spray around your home but this are not always effective with some dogs and some like the taste!
Bitter Apple Spray seems to be one that is more effective amongst our members
Some people suggest using Vicks or Olbas oil..please be aware that camphor found in these type of products can be dangerous to your dog if ingested.
A great tip from one of our members. Cut empty fizzy drinks bottles and put around table legs to prevent legs being chewed. Replace as and when required.
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