Puppy Teething: Tips for Helping Your Furry Friend Through It

Many pet owners say that teething for puppies is a nightmare. It’s because they become fussy eaters, irritable, cry a lot, and can also be destructive.

If you’re going through puppy teething right now, here are some tips that may help you get through it:

1. Keep Their Mouth Clean

During teething, puppies will often drool more than usual. This can result in an increase in bacteria in their mouth, causing gum disease. To help prevent this, clean their face and mouth regularly with a damp cloth.

It’s also best to ask your vet to check your pup’s teeth and gums during this time to ensure there isn’t anything else going on. See this page for more information about veterinary dentistry.

2. Give Them Something to Chew On

Puppies often chew on things to help relieve the pain of teething. It’s essential to ensure they have plenty of safe things to chew on so they don’t end up chewing on something they shouldn’t.

There are a lot of different dog toys on the market that are specifically designed for teething puppies. These toys usually have a softer material that is easy on their gums. Some of these include:

  • Nylon bones
  • Kongs Buster
  • Cubes
  • Tug Toys
  • Chew Rings

You can also give your puppy cold items to chew on, such as a clean, wet washcloth that has been frozen or a bag of frozen peas. Make sure whatever you give them is safe and won’t break into small pieces they could choke on.

3. Puppy-Proof Your Home

As puppies start teething, they often want to chew on anything they can get their mouths on. This includes furniture, shoes, cords, and even you.

To help protect your things and keep your puppy safe, consider puppy-proofing your home. It means getting rid of anything they could chew on and ensuring anything they can reach is safe for them.

There are some cases when accidents occur despite our best efforts, sometimes needing surgery. For example, if they swallow a foreign object, it could block their intestines. If this happens, you need to take them to the vet immediately, like this veterinary surgery in Fairhaven clinic, if you’re nearby.

4. Give Them Plenty of Exercise

Puppies have a lot of energy that can be amplified during teething. To help them (and you) get through this time, ensure they get plenty of exercise.

This doesn’t mean you have to run them into the ground. Just make sure they are getting a good walk or playtime every day. This will help them burn off some excess energy and help make them a little calmer at night.

5. Change Their Diet

Puppies often become picky eaters when they start teething. Since their gums are sore, they don’t want to eat anything that will make them hurt more.

You may need to change their diet to help them get the necessary nutrients. There are a few different ways you can do this:

  • Give them wet food rather than dry food.
  • Add some water to their food to make it softer.
  • Give them baby food or chicken broth.
  • Try different kinds of dog food until you find one they like.

You may also ask your vet about giving your puppy supplements during this time. This is especially important if they are not eating as much as they should.

That’s why choosing an experienced vet plays a significant role in ensuring your pet’s health and well-being. When looking, check their website’s home page to see their services and testimonials from previous clients. If possible, visit their clinic or hospital. This lets you see how they treat their patients and what to expect.

6. Take Them to the Vet for a Checkup

Even if your puppy seems healthy, it’s always a good idea to take them to the vet for a checkup when they start teething. This will help you make sure there isn’t anything else going on that you didn’t catch. Your vet can also give you more tips on how to help your puppy through this tough time.

These signs indicate that your puppy is teething:

  • Excessive drooling
  • Gum sensitivity
  • Chewing on everything
  • Not eating as much
  • Being fussy or irritable
  • Having trouble sleeping

Other signs of illness, including vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, could be signs of something serious. In this case, bring them to the vet right away.

7. Be Patient

Teething can be a trying time for both you and your puppy. You may get frustrated when they are chewing on everything in sight or whining all night long.

Try to be patient and understand that this is difficult for them. They will eventually grow out of it, and things will go back to normal.

Final Thoughts

Puppies undergo many changes during their first few months of life. One of the most challenging times is when they start teething.

To help them (and you) get through this time, ensure they are getting plenty of exercise, change their diet if necessary, and take them to the vet for a checkup. It’s also important to be patient with them as they adjust to this new stage in their life.