When a dog’s baby teeth begin to fall out, and its permanent teeth begin to grow behind them, it is known as puppy teething. It’s a normal, healthy procedure essential to your pup’s growth and a sign that they are maturing. Puppy teething timeline is similar to that experienced by human newborns. Some breeze through it, while others squirm, drool, and gnaw their way through it. As a pet parent, puppy teething is a difficult process as nothing is exempt from gnawing, not even your toes, clothes, books, or furniture, since pups navigate the world through their mouths and around 28 razor-sharp teeth (deciduous/primary teeth) till they end up with their 42 permanent teeth.
When do Puppies Start Teething?
When do Puppies Start Teething? Teething begins quite early in the life of a puppy. Puppies develop their deciduous/primary teeth a few weeks after birth. In some circumstances, they might appear as early as two weeks. Since puppies are still feeding when these teeth arrive, they are commonly referred to as “milk teeth.” When your dog is five to eight weeks old, all 28 baby teeth should have emerged.
#1 Birth – 2 weeks
- At birth, puppies usually have no teeth.
- Puppies nurse and open their eyes within the first two weeks of their life.
#2 Weeks 2 – 4
- Dog incisors, or front teeth(6 teeth), will start to appear between two and three weeks of life.
- Between three and six weeks of puppy teething age, three premolars and three molars appear behind the canines.
- At four weeks, four needle-like canines (between incisors and premolars) develop, one on each side, top, and bottom.
#3 Weeks 5 – 8
- The last molars arrive at six to eight weeks.
- Around eight weeks old, the puppy’s permanent teeth start erupting. In most situations, milk teeth fall out, or the body absorbs its roots.
- Puppies with delayed deciduous tooth loss may appear to have two teeth.
- For permanent teeth to grow properly, baby teeth should be removed. A crowded mouth might cause teeth misalignment causing difficulties chewing or poor dental hygiene.
- By this time, your puppy’s 28 baby teeth should be in. Puppies learn to eat wet and squishy during this time.
When do Puppies Start Losing their Teeth?
But, when do puppies start losing their teeth? By four or five months of age, your puppy’s milk teeth start dropping out. Dogs swallow most milk teeth, but you may find a few lying around in your house. One of the clear indicators of teething is your dog chewing more regularly. Six to eight months old, your 42 puppy adult teeth will begin to emerge. While there is no set time for teething, many dogs teeth between 9 and 12 months.
Weeks 12 – 16
- Around the age of eight weeks, breeders commonly let their puppies go to their new homes.
- The milk teeth will begin to fall out, and the adult teeth will also begin to grow in.
- Introducing puppy chew toys is a good idea because this procedure is uncomfortable for dogs.
- This is an excellent time to socialize your dog more, examine and touch the inside and outside of its mouth, and get ready to brush its teeth.
6 months – Adult
- All puppy teeth falling out by now, allowing the eruption of the adult teeth.
- Notify your veterinarian if any primary teeth remain so they can be extracted.
- 4 premolars and 10 molars complete the teeth that replace the milk teeth.
- By the time they are seven months old, most puppies have all 42 of their permanent teeth in place.
Puppy Teething Symptoms
While drool, gnawing, and even blood from teething are normal in pups, excessive amounts could suggest a more serious issue. Teething can make puppies unwell, causing loss of appetite and stomach issues. If your puppy teething symptoms persist, you should take them to the vet. If you have any questions or concerns, call your vet.
#1 Leaving a trail of bloodstains
Your dog’s favorite chew toy may have some small specks of blood on it, but don’t worry about it.
#2 Loss of teeth
Teething in your furry child is normal, just like it is with human babies. As a result, you may find their teeth embedded in various objects, such as puppy teething toys. In total, they lose 28 baby teeth over a few months.
#3 Excessive Chewing
When a dog is teething, the inclination to chew is sent into overdrive, which can be dangerous for the dog. Teething pups often self-soothe by chewing, which can also risk your possessions.
#4 Drooling has Increased
Teething is a painful process; thus puppies drool more often than usual. This is true particularly while it chews. During teething, it may likely drool and slobber on everything it consumes.
#5 Slowing Down When Eating
It pains a puppy’s mouth to eat while teething. As a result, your puppy’s appetite may slow down, even if she was previously a ravenous eater. Puppies in excruciating pain may refuse to eat. You may need to consult your veterinarian for advice. Your vet will advise supplements you should consider for your puppy’s teething period.
#6 Whining
Puppies are infamous for incessantly whimpering throughout their first few months. The whining phase of your puppy may be due to teething pain while they eat or chew on toys. It’s also because of their hypersensitive teeth and gums. Excessive whining and your puppy’s apparent suffering are not normal teething behaviors.
#6 Gums Usually Look Red or Swollen
This is a normal reaction to losing baby teeth and gaining adult teeth. Expect the redness and swelling to last several months. It’s normal and painful, exactly as in humans. Teething puppies’ mouths may bleed, usually after losing a baby tooth. Still, it can also occur when your puppy’s gums are sensitive.
It’s common for your dog to chew on something for a long time and bleed on it. So long as there is no significant puppy gums bleeding and your dog appears normal. Contact your veterinarian if your puppy’s bleeding is substantial.
Training Tips for Puppy Teething
With patience and consistency, you can train your puppy not to nip and enjoy all the fun and love that comes with having a furry friend in your life. These are some training tips for puppy teething.
#1 Adequate Dietary Intake
Your veterinarian can help you determine whether or not the food you’re feeding your puppy meets its nutritional needs. It is critical to begin your dog’s dental care as early as possible because, by age three, nearly all dogs require expert dental treatment. Your puppy’s adult teeth will remain healthy for the rest of its life if you brush its teeth, feed it good food, and provide the best chew toys for puppies toys while it is teething.
#2 Freeze Candy and Toys
Tender teething gums benefit from cold treatments to reduce swelling. For those who dislike ice cubes, frozen carrots chopped into little chunks are a great alternative. Freeze your puppy’s toys. KONG puppy easy treat is pleasant on the tummy.
#3 Toys to Chew
Your puppy’s oral discomfort can be relieved naturally by providing appropriate chew toys. Rubber toys, nylon bones, bully sticks, and other chews are safe and long-lasting for teething puppies.
#4 Utilizing Gates
Curtailing a puppy to a “safe” area is the best way to stop it from chewing on your belongings. Keep them from exploring and chewing on items you don’t want them to discover. One such product is the Midwest Steel Pet Gate.
Hide or put your valuables out of reach to avoid potential loss or destruction. Anything that smells like you will attract your pup. Teething puppies are attracted to shoes on the closet floor, laundry in baskets, and even your phone on the couch. Prevent choking by keeping them out of reach. Electric or blind/curtain cords lying around or within reach lure teething puppies. If shifting cords above and out of access are impossible, use products like cord covers.
How to Stop Puppy Nipping?
If you are worried about How to stop puppy nipping? There are a few things you can do to stop your puppy from nipping. One is to provide them with chew toys that they can gnaw on instead of your fingers or clothing. You can also redirect their attention by offering a treat or toy when they start to nip
#1 Training Opportunity
A good time to practice polite greetings and conversations before they normally start to nip. Keep small bags of puppy food or training treats around the house to reward good behavior.
#2 Teach Bite Inhibition
A loud, high-pitched “OW” might teach your puppy that biting hurts. Then reward him verbally or with a treat. Caution: yelling may agitate some puppies even further. For a few minutes to relax the pup, turn around softly or walk away from it. Tell him what he can bite or chew on after educating him that biting you hurts him. Sup primes his biting behavior by ending the play session.
#3 Use Chew Toys
Given that chewing, mouthing, and puppy biting are natural dog behavior, we cannot fully prevent them. Puppies must learn early on that chewing on toys is alright, but not skin chewing. To do so, ensure it has enough chew toys, so it understands that while skin is off-limits, toys are fine.
#4 Enroll in a Class
If you’ve tried everything at home and your puppy is still biting, it’s time to enroll in an obedience class.
Lessons learned in class can be reinforced at home with the help of a skilled professional.
#5 Take a Break/ Move Away
Over-stimulated and overexcited puppies nip to relax. You should soothe your dog down if it nips you or someone else. Soothing themselves and losing focus are key lessons for all puppies to learn.
Conclusion
Teething is a common aspect of puppyhood and can be easily overcome with proper care. If you want to keep your dog’s adult teeth dazzling white, get it acclimated to having its mouth and teeth touched early on. You can buy dog-friendly toothpaste and toothbrushes. It’s also advisable to train your puppy while it’s teething. Please call your veterinarian if you see anything unusual.