How to Care for Your Puppy During Teething? Chewing and Dental Care Guide

Between 3-6 months of age, puppies lose their baby teeth and grow adult teeth. This process is uncomfortable and drives them to chew everything in sight. Understanding teething helps you manage this phase successfully.

## Puppy Teething Timeline

**Birth to 2 Weeks**
* Born without teeth
* Nursing only

**2-4 Weeks**
* Baby teeth (deciduous) begin emerging
* 28 baby teeth total

**3-4 Months**
* Baby teeth start falling out
* Incisors go first
* You may find tiny teeth around the house

**4-5 Months**
* Premolars and canines fall out
* Adult teeth pushing through
* Peak discomfort period

**6-7 Months**
* Most adult teeth in place
* 42 adult teeth total
* Molars finish coming in

**7-8 Months**
* Teething typically complete
* All adult teeth should be present

## Signs of Teething

**Normal Signs:**
* Increased chewing on everything
* Drooling more than usual
* Slight bleeding from gums
* Finding baby teeth
* Reluctance to eat hard food
* Irritability
* Swollen, red gums

**Concerning Signs (See Vet):**
* Excessive bleeding
* Extremely swollen gums
* Refusal to eat for 24+ hours
* Baby teeth not falling out (retained)
* Adult teeth coming in crooked
* Bad breath beyond normal puppy smell

## Soothing Sore Gums

**Frozen Treats**
* Frozen washcloth (wet, twist, freeze)
* Frozen carrots
* Ice cubes
* Frozen Kong with peanut butter
* Frozen banana pieces

**Appropriate Chew Toys**
* Rubber teething toys (Kong Puppy)
* Nylon bones (puppy-specific)
* Rope toys (supervised)
* Textured rubber toys
* Edible dental chews (age-appropriate)

**Cold Items**
* Refrigerated toys
* Cold wet towel
* Chilled rubber rings
* Cool (not frozen) water

## Protecting Your Belongings

**Puppy-Proofing:**
* Remove accessible shoes, cables, remote controls
* Block access to furniture legs
* Use bitter apple spray on off-limits items
* Keep doors closed to restricted areas
* Supervise constantly

**Management:**
* Rotate available toys
* Redirect chewing immediately
* Praise appropriate chewing
* Never punish - redirect instead
* Provide plenty of legal options

## Chew Toy Selection

**Good Choices:**
* Toys designed for teething puppies
* Size-appropriate (can't be swallowed)
* Durable but with some give
* Multiple textures
* Freezable options

**Avoid:**
* Toys small enough to swallow
* Hard bones that can crack teeth
* Rawhide (choking hazard)
* Toys with small parts
* Your old shoes (confuses boundaries)

## Feeding During Teething

**Adjustments:**
* Soften kibble with warm water
* Offer wet food temporarily
* Smaller, more frequent meals
* Monitor food intake
* Don't force eating if gums are sore

**Nutrition Support:**
* Maintain balanced puppy diet
* Calcium and phosphorus for tooth development
* Don't oversupplement
* Fresh water always available

## Training Through Teething

**Bite Inhibition:**
* Yelp and stop play when bitten
* Redirect to appropriate toy
* Consistency from all family members
* Praise gentle mouth

**Building Good Habits:**
* Teach "leave it" and "drop it"
* Practice handling mouth
* Introduce toothbrushing
* Reward calm behavior

## Dental Care Foundation

**Start Early:**
* Handle mouth and lips regularly
* Touch teeth and gums
* Introduce puppy toothbrush
* Use puppy-safe toothpaste

**Weekly Routine:**
* Check for retained baby teeth
* Look for gum inflammation
* Note any unusual odors
* Monitor adult teeth alignment

## Retained Baby Teeth

Sometimes baby teeth don't fall out:
* Creates crowding
* Traps food and bacteria
* Can cause bite problems
* Usually requires extraction

**Signs:**
* Two teeth in one spot
* Adult tooth coming in beside baby tooth
* Crowded appearance

**Action:**
* Point out to vet at next visit
* May need surgical removal
* Don't try to pull yourself
* Usually addressed during spay/neuter

## When to See the Vet

Schedule a visit if you notice:
* Baby teeth still present at 7+ months
* Bleeding that doesn't stop
* Extreme swelling or pus
* Crooked adult teeth
* Difficulty eating
* Excessive pain
* Bad breath that persists

Teething is temporary but establishing good dental habits lasts a lifetime. Patience and appropriate management make this phase manageable for both of you.