Welcoming a new toy breed puppy into your home is an exciting journey filled with boundless love, energy, and unique challenges. As your adorable puppy develops, you're likely to ask numerous questions about their growth and well-being. One of the most common queries for new pet parents is, "When do dogs stop teething?"
If you've noticed your puppy's cute nibbles turning into a full-fledged chomping spree, then your little furball is probably experiencing the natural stage of puppy teething.
Puppies have baby teeth just like human infants. They go through a process where those tiny, needle-like teeth make way for their adult set.
This phase, while necessary for their development, can often be a testing time for both the puppy and you, filled with endless chewing and some level of discomfort for your small companion.
Fear not, though.
As with every challenge you encounter as a new pet parent, know that this phase, too, shall pass. Your job? Understanding, patience, and some knowledge of what's going on inside that little mouth of theirs.
And that's precisely why we're here – to guide you through the teething journey of your toy breed puppy, from their first baby tooth to the final set of adult choppers. Ready to navigate the world of puppy teething together? Let's get started!
What is Teething?
Teething is a natural part of a puppy's development, marking a significant milestone in their growth journey. Just as human children do, puppies also go through a similar teething process. It begins when baby teeth start to poke through their gums and continues until their full set of adult teeth are in place.
Here's a glimpse of the puppy teething timeline:
- Around the age of 2-4 weeks, a puppy's 28 baby teeth start to emerge. These initial teeth, also known as deciduous teeth, are sharp and tiny, designed to help the puppy start eating solid food.
- The teething timeline continues until approximately 6-8 months of age when all the adult teeth have typically grown in, replacing the baby teeth.
Even if you have a small low maintenance dog, every breed goes through this teething process.
But it's not just about the emergence of new teeth. The teething process can often be uncomfortable for your puppy. This discomfort may present several teething symptoms, including:
- Increased chewing behavior: The pressure of teeth pushing through the gums can be uncomfortable, causing your puppy to chew on anything they can get their paws on.
- Drooling: Teething can stimulate excessive saliva production leading to drooling.
- Increased appetite: As their teeth develop, you may notice your puppy has an increased appetite.
Keeping their teeth healthy is crucial throughout this process. As their gums may be sore, it's important to provide them with appropriate items to chew on and introduce gentle teeth cleaning routines.
Remember, each puppy is unique and might not follow this timeline exactly. Always monitor your puppy's mouth health and consult your vet if you're concerned about any aspect of their teething.
When Do Dogs Stop Teething?
It's a relief to know that the nipping and gnawing stage of your puppy's life has a definitive end. So, when do dogs' teething stop? The typical timeline for most breeds is around 6 months of age, at which point puppies stop teething. However, some breeds may deviate slightly from this timeline, so it's always advisable to consult your vet or a reliable breed guide.
During this time, the baby teeth that fall out make way for the 42 permanent teeth that an adult dog will have. You might find the odd baby tooth around the house or in their bedding, but don't panic if you don't. Many puppies swallow their baby teeth while eating or playing, which is usually harmless.
While most of the teething troubles are over by six months, it doesn't necessarily mean an end to all dental development. After teething ends, your dog's gums may still be settling around the new adult teeth that have emerged, and it's crucial to maintain good dental hygiene for your pet, including regular brushing and the use of dog-safe dental chews.
Interestingly, adult dogs may experience teething-like symptoms if they lose their teeth due to injury, disease, or decay. So even after your pet has left its puppyhood, you'll need to keep an eye on its dental health.
At times, teething can trigger a few unwanted behaviors, like chewing on furniture. While it's an expression of discomfort rather than rebellion, it's essential to direct this behavior towards appropriate items. And as a last resort, if the chewing gets out of control, there's a debate about the effectiveness of techniques like how to use a shock collar to stop bad behavior.
However, this should be a final measure, only after exhausting other more positive reinforcement techniques and always under professional guidance.
Tips for Managing Teething
Teething can be a challenging time for both your puppy and you. Here are some practical tips to help manage this phase:
- Puppy Safe Chew Toys: One of the best ways to soothe a teething puppy is to provide them with plenty of chew toys. Chewing is a natural response to the discomfort of dog teething and offering a selection of safe, puppy-specific toys can provide them with much-needed relief.
- Teething Pain Relief: There are a variety of teething toys for dogs available on the market that can offer teething pain relief. Some of these can be chilled in the fridge, providing an added level of comfort to inflamed gums.
- Monitor Teeth and Gums: Regularly check your puppy's teeth and gums, especially at the front of the mouth where teething usually starts. Look out for signs of infection or inflammation, like excessive redness, bad breath, or swelling.
- Nutrition and Hydration: Teething can sometimes affect a puppy's appetite. Make sure they have plenty of water and high-quality, easily chewable food to help them stay hydrated and well-fed during this time.
- Teeth Brushing: Starting a regular teeth brushing routine early can ensure the long-term health of your puppy's teeth. Always use a dog-safe toothpaste.
- Behavior Management: Teething can sometimes lead to behavioral changes. For instance, some toy breeds can become aggressive small dogs due to the discomfort they're experiencing. Always ensure that their chewing is directed towards their dog chew toys rather than your furniture or belongings.
- Comfort and Care: Overall, how to soothe a teething puppy involves patience, understanding, and providing them with the right items to ease their discomfort. Remember, your puppy is not dog chewing to be naughty – they're simply trying to alleviate the discomfort of new teeth coming in.
Remember, this is a temporary phase, and with your support, your puppy will soon have a healthy set of adult teeth!
Final Thoughts
Just like human babies, puppies also experience a phase of teething as an essential part of their development. And, much like raising a human child, raising a puppy during this period requires the right care, attention, and supplies.
Ensuring proper nutrition, adequate exercise, and diligent dental care are fundamental for keeping your puppy's teeth healthy during this transition from baby teeth to adult teeth. Knowing the timelines of when your dog will finish teething, and providing the right toys and items to chew on, are critical for a successful and more comfortable teething experience.
Sometimes, teething can bring about excessive chewing behavior that might be difficult to manage. If you're trying to stop unwanted behavior, you might want to consider a vibration collar vs shock collar.
Fortunately, with Wiggle Kingdom, you don't have to choose. Our 3-in-1 collars feature 3 distinct modes: sound, vibration, and shock. Both the vibration and shock modes have levels ranging from 1 (low) to 9 (high) so that you can customize your collar for your dog's safety and comfort.
Remember, your puppy's teething phase is temporary, and with your love and patience, they'll soon be past it, with a brilliant smile to show for it!