A Guide To Puppy Teething
All puppies go through a teething stage which can be uncomfortable or even painful for them. They tend to bite and chew to relieve some of the discomfort and to help remove puppy teeth so that their adult teeth can come through.
Read our guide to puppy teething to help you and your puppy get through the teething stage.
When do puppies start teething?
Puppies are typically around three weeks old when the teething process starts and it lasts for six to eight months. However, the age at which a puppy starts teething can vary depending on the breed.
Their incisors will appear first, then the canine teeth and last to come through are the premolars and molars. Puppies have 28 milk teeth in total – 12 incisors, four canine teeth, and 12 premolars and molars.
When do puppies’ milk teeth fall out?
Just like humans, dogs have two sets of teeth in their lifetime; their primary, milk or baby teeth, and then their secondary, permanent, or adult teeth.
Naturally, as a puppy grows, their jaw also grows, causing its milk teeth to fall out and be replaced by adult teeth.
A puppy starts to lose its milk teeth at around three to four months old. They usually fall out in the same order they came through; incisors first, then canines, then premolars, and molars.
Typically, by the time they are six to eight months of age, a puppy will have lost all of its milk teeth and should have 42 adult teeth.
How to take care of puppy teeth
Get your puppy used to you handling their mouth from a young age. This will make it easier for you to check their teeth and gums and to brush their teeth.
Brushing your puppy’s teeth will help their teeth to develop and stay healthy, and prevent infections and bad breath. Introduce your puppy to having their teeth cleaned as soon as their adult teeth come through.
Begin by touching your puppy’s teeth gently with your fingers. After doing this a few times, introduce a canine toothbrush, taking care to be slow and gentle whilst they get used to the sensation. Once they are familiar with the toothbrush, start adding canine toothpaste.
How to help a teething puppy
Teething can be painful for your puppies. Chewing can help to relieve discomfort so it is a good idea to provide them with a selection of chew toys. Kongs and activity balls are excellent for teething puppies and dogs that love to chew!
Teething puppies are prone to mouthing and biting. Discourage them from mouthing or nipping you by yelping and stopping playtime. Whenever you catch them chewing something they shouldn’t introduce a toy and reward them when they chew on this instead.
For help with training your puppy, our expert team at WitsEnd are on hand, offering tailored advice, training sessions, and behaviour therapy.
Working with people from all over the country, we have had over 2000 success stories! To book an appointment or for more information, please call us on 0116 244 2455.