Helping your puppy during teething can be tough for parents. The discomfort from teething makes puppies chew on things to feel better. Our Mooresville vets have tips to guide you through this challenging phase.
Why is my puppy biting me and chewing on everything?
Similar to human babies, puppies bite and chew on things when they're teething to ease mouth discomfort. Dealing with their chewing phase might feel lengthy as you safeguard your belongings, yet staying composed is crucial, and understanding they're simply seeking relief is crucial.
When do puppies start teething?
Different breeds have some variations, but generally, puppies usually start getting their first set of teeth at around 5 to 6 weeks old. When your puppy is about 4 months old, they'll start shedding their sharp baby teeth, and their grown-up teeth will start coming in.
How long does puppy teething last?
Once your puppy is around 6 to 7 months old, they'll have all their adult teeth, and teething troubles will be over. Meanwhile, our Mooresville veterinarians provide helpful tips for managing puppy teething, so you and your pup can navigate this challenging phase together.
Store Some Puppy Friendly Teething Toys in the Freezer
Just like teething babies, puppies also discover relief from teething discomfort by chewing on cold or frozen objects. While you can easily find specialized teething toys at pet stores, you can also freeze regular dog toys to soothe your puppy's teething. Items like Kongs, rubber bones, and soft dog toys work well for this purpose.
Offer Your Pup Extra Durable Chew Toys
Brands like Nylabone offer special teething bones for puppies. These bones come in sizes for small, medium, and large breeds, and they're flavored. This encourages your puppy to chew on a yummy treat instead of your less exciting belongings. It's a great way to teach them good chewing habits and ease their discomfort.
Edible Teething Sticks for Puppies
Trusted dog food brands provide tasty teething treats and bones for puppies to soothe their mouth discomfort. Your vet might suggest a suitable option, or you can visit a nearby pet store to pick from various flavors and sizes. It's important to select the correct size for your pup to ensure they get the best results from the teething treat.
Healthy Frozen Foods For Puppies to Chew
Along with chewing on frozen toys, many puppies enjoy frozen treats they can actually eat. Frozen carrots or apple slices are a good option. Be sure to always speak to your vet before introducing new "human" food to your pup.
My puppy keeps biting me; what should I do?
Puppies naturally play by nipping and biting. When one puppy bites another too hard, the hurt pup will make a high-pitched yelp.
If your puppy is nipping and biting you, stopping this behavior early is important. One effective way is to imitate the yelp of a hurt puppy when they bite you. A loud 'ow' in a high-pitched voice can surprise your puppy and make them stop. Once they stop, reward their good behavior.
If your puppy becomes more aggressive when you try this, calmly stop playing or place your puppy 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.