Is All This Chewing Normal?

Everything You Need to Know About Your Teething Puppy

You’ve probably noticed that your puppy is keen on chewing everything – from hands and feet to even your shoes – basically any object within their reach. We get it, teething puppies can be a handful! Let’s talk about puppies and what is going on in their little mouths as they begin teething.

Human babies and puppies are very similar when it comes to teething. Just like babies, your puppy also grows a set of baby teeth – which happen to be very pointy and sharp and is a good reason to not want to ‘literally’ lend a hand. Don’t worry we are here to help you through this!

When do Puppies Start Teething?

Puppies start getting their first set of baby teeth (also called deciduous, meaning they fall out) when they are about two to four weeks old. Dogs have 28 deciduous teeth and end up with 42 permanent teeth.

Around the time they are 3 to 4 months old (and sometimes as early as two months), their deciduous teeth start falling out and their adult teeth start growing in – and this is when the teething begins.

You may actually find some of these baby teeth on the floor, but most of the time your puppy will end up harmlessly swallowing the teeth is they eat.  It is also not unusual for some bleeding to occur when the teeth fall out, just like you would see when a child’s baby tooth falls out. Usually by 6 months all the deciduous teeth have fallen out and all of their permanent teeth have begun to grow in.

Your Puppy Needs to Chew

During teething, puppies will chew on furniture, people, any objects within reach (does this sound familiar?) – this is all normal. AND, again like human babies, dogs too, learn much about the world around them through how things feel. For a dog, their main means of touching/feeling things is with their mouth.

Teething can also be painful and uncomfortable for your little, wriggly puppy and chewing is a way for them to ease some of that pain and alleviate discomfort.

Puppies will also chew simply out of boredom and need an outlet for entertainment. Although this is completely normal for young pups, you do not want to reward negative chewing behaviors or you could end up with a destructive chewer.

How Can I help my Chewing Puppy?

Throw them something to chew on – just not your hand, shoe or something else you value. Make sure they are chewing on appropriate things, like chew toys. Remember, even with recommended chew toys, any veterinarian will tell you it is important to supervise your pup when they are chewing as no chew is 100% safe.

When looking for a chew toy keep your dog’s chewing habits in mind and choose a chew with the lowest risk. For example; our Chew’ems Chew Bones are designed to give under pressure and will not splinter. When your puppy/dog applies pressure, the chew basically imitates playdoh and allows grooves to be carved into the chew. This results in less pressure on the tooth and greatly diminishes the chance of broken teeth. In addition, the very nature of the formula limits the risk of splintering which is what could cause damage to a dog’s esophagus. On top of that our bones are infused with vitamins and minerals essential for your pup’s health along with real flavor from real food that your dog will love!

Another way to help your teething pup is to keep them moving! Go for a walk, play fetch, just run around with your puppy, the more activity and stimulation you provide for your puppy the less they will focus on the pain and the need to chew.

It is important to keep your pup mentally and physically stimulated, this keeps them healthy and will prevent them from developing destructive coping skills, like chewing up your favorite shoes.

How Long Does Teething Last?

Some good news is that teething doesn’t last forever, the excessive chewing behavior subsides around 18 months of age. However, for some breeds that may not be the case, and for most dogs, chewing will be a lifelong habit.

Behaviors such as chewing, licking, and mouthing are simply canine ways of exploring the world around them – learning about their environments or carrying objects from one place to another. If you believe your dog’s chewing is excessive or aggressive, consult your trusted veterinarian for advice on behavior modification.

The puppy stage can be rough, between teething, potty training and all the other puppy needs, but remember it goes fast! Cherish these moments with your new little pup and remember you can never get enough puppy snuggles!