Joseph Roetheli, PhD
Highlights:
Puppies lose their primary teeth to make room for their permanent teeth.
When puppies lose their baby teeth they are prone to chewing and biting anything to help alleviate the pain associated with teething.
Providing your puppy with safe, healthy dental chews can alleviate the discomfort of teething, and help keep them from chewing on items they shouldn’t.
If you’ve never had a puppy, you might not understand how you can love something that destroys your favorite items! Puppies are notorious for being impossibly adorable and destructive. Part of the reason why? They begin teething at a very early age — likely just after you get them.
Puppy teething can be a difficult transitional time for the puppy and their owner. Teething can make your puppy feel uncomfortable, much like a teething infant. Your puppy will naturally chew, bite, and drool to help alleviate this discomfort, and it could be that their favorite chew toy will end up being your favorite pair of shoes.
The team at Yummy Combs is passionate about canine dental care. We’ll explain everything you should know about your puppy’s teething and give you some tips to help keep them comfortable and the nice things in your home preserved.
All breeds of dogs have two sets of teeth. Primary teeth (sometimes referred to as needle teeth or baby teeth) develop when they are in their mother’s womb. Unlike human babies, puppies are born with their 28 baby teeth.
Puppies begin to lose their teeth around 12 weeks of age. This may be around the exact same time you pick up your pup from their breeder, or when you are cleared to adopt your puppy from an animal shelter. The puppy teething timeline lasts for about two months, and by six months of age your puppy should have lost all baby teeth.
Dogs have 42 permanent teeth or adult teeth. These teeth appear in rapid succession behind a dog’s baby teeth. By the time all your puppy’s baby teeth have fallen out, you’ll most likely see all the adult teeth in place.
Pet parents often wonder where their puppy’s teeth have gone. They notice the licking, chewing, and drooling that precedes a missing tooth, but finding the actual tooth can be a little like searching for buried treasure.
Chances are, you won’t see or find many of your puppy’s baby teeth. Most dogs lose them when they are chewing or eating and simply swallow them. This is completely harmless to your dog; they will eventually pass the teeth in their stool. If you do find their baby teeth, it will likely be by sinking your bare foot into a tooth that has gotten lodged in your carpet.
Most puppies will go through the teething process with relative ease. Although the chewing and biting may be annoying, the entire teething process is short and doesn’t usually require any specialized care.
However, if you notice your teething puppy experiencing any of the following symptoms, they’ll need to be seen by their veterinarian.
If a more severe problem exists, you may be referred to a veterinary dentist, but this is usually rare.
Helping your puppy cope with their teething symptoms requires patience and some safe chewing toys. If you don’t provide your new puppy with teething toys, they’ll end up making your favorite chair, shoes, or other items their chewables.
It’s important to look for toys that help them with their teething pain but are also safe for them. Many chews can harm their teeth or pose a choking hazard to them. To make sure your puppy chews are safe, look for the following characteristics.
The size of a chew toy is just as important during the teething stage as it is for your dog’s entire life. Toys should be size-specific. Smaller dogs need smaller chew toys. Providing toys that are too big can lead to jaw problems.
Size is important for larger dogs, too. The size of the chew or toy should be small enough that it can be carried in your dog’s mouth, but large enough that they cannot gulp or swallow it, which could become a choking hazard or even result in gastrointestinal issues.
For chew toys, durability is a must. Avoid material that your dog can easily break apart and swallow. Cloth and cotton toys, along with toys filled with stuffing, are not safe for most breeds of dogs.
Durability is tricky; a chew needs to be durable enough to withstand your dog’s chewing and not break, but not so hard that it could break your dog’s teeth. Silicone and rubber are good options for chew toys that will last through their entire teething phase.
The shape of a chew toy is another consideration you’ll need to make. A puppy’s mouth is smaller than an adult dog’s mouth. The shape of some chew toys can be hard for a puppy to chew.
Additionally, some shapes promote gulping, especially if they are long and slender (like a classic bone). Look for toys that are shaped in rings, twists, or loops to help avoid these risks.
Dental care doesn’t end when your puppy’s new teeth come in. In fact, the appearance of adult dog teeth is a sign that it’s time to step up your dog’s oral hygiene or begin a routine if you don’t have one.
Your dog’s teeth are directly linked to their health. When left uncared for, your furry friend’s teeth may lead to poor oral health, gum disease, and even systemic illness. Studies show that bacteria entering the mouth and gums can lead to poor heart, kidney, and liver health in your dog and may even lead to organ failure.
Caring for your dog’s teeth isn’t incredibly difficult, and the sooner you get your pet used to having their teeth touched and brushed, the easier it will be to maintain a good oral hygiene routine throughout their adult life.
Brushing your dog’s teeth can be an entire event. However, if you start when they are puppies, you’ll have a better recipe for success.
If your dog absolutely hates having their teeth touched, start by acclimating them to having their mouth and muzzle touched. Next, begin to lift the upper and lower lift and gently stroke the teeth with your finger. Always follow this with praise and pets to reinforce the good behavior of allowing you to touch their teeth.
Choose a specialized dog toothbrush or a soft-bristled toothbrush that isn’t too big for your dog’s mouth. A children’s toothbrush may be the best option. Using a dog-safe toothpaste (never a human toothpaste), start by brushing your dog’s upper and lower front teeth and working your way to the canine teeth and molars.
Be sure to give your dog breaks, offer belly rubs and praise, and always follow up with a reward for having had their teeth brushed.
Dental chews are a great way to keep your dog’s mouth clean, their breath neutral, and their teeth healthy. Dental treats can also be used after you brush your dog’s teeth to reinforce tooth brushing as a positive experience.
The same safety guidelines that apply to dog chew toys apply to treats, with a few additional caveats.
Yummy Combs were engineered to be effective, safe, and nutritious for your dog. In a study, Yummy Combs’ unique design and texture were successful in actually removing tartar on dog’s teeth.
Your puppy may experience some sore gums from teething, but the process is short and will soon be a distant memory. Once your dog’s adult teeth come in, take care of them by brushing them, getting regular check-ups, and offering Yummy Combs once per day.
Sources:
Teeth, Teething and Chewing in Puppies | VCA Animal Hospitals
A Timeline of Puppy Teething | American Kennel Club.org
Chews Wisely: A Guide to Safe Dog Chews and Non-Toxic Toys | The National Canine Cancer Foundation
Relation between periodontal disease and systemic diseases in dogs | ScienceDirect
Updates, coupons, deals, and more!
Always feed the right treat size for your dog’s weight category. Always supervise your dog when feeding treats. This product is an adult only dog treat. Always provide ample fresh water for your dog.
Type anything...
We use cookies to provide you the best possible experience on our website. You consent to the usage of cookies by continuing to view our website. See our Privacy Notice for more information.
