You can give your dog cold objects to chew on for teething pain.
Teething is a normal dental growth process in puppies.
Deciduous teeth fall off and get replaced with permanent – adult teeth.
This process can cause pain and other symptoms.
Let’s learn all about it, and help avoid pain in puppies!
Understanding Puppy Teething Pain
- Concept of Puppy Teething
- Teething Pain Explanation
- Baby Teeth to Permanent Teeth
Concept of Puppy Teething
Teething is a painful process that every puppy has to go through.
It’s a process where a pup grows 28 deciduous or baby teeth.
They are sharp. People often refer to them as needle teeth.
The teething begins at around 3 weeks.
At 6 weeks, they should all be out.
Puppies don’t have baby molars.
The baby teeth are incisors, canines, and premolars.
The baby’s teeth are replaced by 6 months of age.
At around week 12, they start falling out.
They’re replaced with 42 permanent adult teeth. [1]
Teething Pain Explanation
The pain comes because the needle teeth break the gums. [2]
Just as in humans, puppies become irritated and whine during this period.
They’re uncomfortable and don’t understand why.
Their gums become irritated and can have a little swelling.
In the time when the teeth are breaking through, they can cause a tear.
Don’t be surprised if you see bloody gums on a teething pup.
Don’t be surprised if you see diarrhea as well.
The best way to alleviate this pain is with dental chew toys and patience.
If not chew toys, your slippers may suffice for them.
Baby Teeth to Permanent Teeth
Baby teeth and permanent teeth are very different.
While baby teeth are sharp and small, permanent teeth come out rounded.
Baby teeth are so sharp that they can pierce your skin. [3]
The pain from growing permanent teeth at around 5-7 months is less prominent.
When transitioning from baby to adult teeth, you may find baby teeth in your surroundings.
Pups can also swallow their baby teeth while eating.
This will not harm them.
It’s good to visit the vet during this period.
Bad teeth in dogs can happen at any stage of their life, including puppyhood.
The vet pays special attention to their breath. [4]
A bad breath can indicate infection.
This can have long-lasting negative impacts. [5]
Recognizing Puppy Teething Signs
- When Puppies Start Teething
- Visible Teething Signs
- Behavioral Changes
When Puppies Start Teething
|
Timetable of teething |
|
|
0-2 weeks |
No teeth |
|
3-4 weeks |
First teeth start to grow |
|
8 weeks |
Full set of baby teeth |
|
4-5 months |
Baby teeth start falling out |
|
5-7 months |
Adult teeth begin to grow |
|
6 months |
Vet check to make sure everything is growing fine |
|
7 months |
Full set of teeth |
|
12 months |
Full set of teeth and ready for 6-month dental checkups from this point on |
You will know when your puppy has started teething.
The adorable cuddle-bug will turn into a chewing machine.
The pressure of chewing on things lessens the pain in their gums.
You have to be careful not to give them hard chew toys during this period.
The reason behind this is that they can hurt themselves with them.
The first teeth you’ll see appear are the incisors.
They’re followed by the canines and the premolars. [6]
Visible Teething Signs
When your puppy starts teething, you will notice red and swollen gums.
The teeth cutting through them can easily irritate them.
They help themselves through the pain by chewing on anything and everything.
Make sure to get safe dental toys.
They are better than regular chew toys.
This is important for the further development of the teeth and jaw.
If you look up pictures of dog teeth with problems, you might be more motivated to do so. [7]
The chewing also leads to more saliva being produced.
Your puppy might drool more than usual.
When the teeth break through, they can cause bleeding.
In puppies, it’s more like spotting.
You don’t need to worry about this.
It’s normal.
Behavioral Changes
As the pain kicks in, your puppy’s appetite will decrease.
Their mood will change as well.
They will whine and will be irritated.
They will play more aggressively and try to bite and chew on you. [8]
Addressing Puppy Teething Pain
- Veterinary Consultation for Pain
- Home Remedies
- Commercial Pain Relief Options
Veterinary Consultation for Pain
It’s recommended to take your puppy to the vet when they’re teething.
Your vet can recommend pain relief medicine and some home remedies.
If your puppy’s breath smells bad, they will check for infection.
Puppy teeth are just as susceptible to breaking as adult teeth.
Teething puppies play rough and can cause damage to their teeth.
Tooth extraction is only recommended if your puppy has a diseased tooth.
Also, if the vet notices a fever and is in severe pain.
In those cases, extraction complication symptoms are far less severe.
Unaddressed tooth pain can lead to systemic problems.
This goes especially if a broke tooth causes an abscess.
Home Remedies
|
Home Remedy |
Use |
Application |
|
Frozen washcloth |
Softer chewing texture than most toys, and the cold will provide pain relief |
Give it to your dog to play with |
|
Frozen fruit |
The cold will provide pain relief, and they get a snack |
Give it to your dog as a treat |
|
Massaging the gums |
Wash your hands and massage their gums with gentle pressure |
The pressure reliefs pain |
|
It will help your pup calm down and sleep through the night. It relieves pain and stress |
Let the tea cool down completely and put it in their drinking bowl |
|
|
Aloe vera juice frozen cubes |
Same as the frozen fruit |
Give it to your dog as a treat |
Frozen Dish Towel
Simply remove a wet towel or washcloth from the water and freeze it.
In addition to numbing your dog’s gums, a cool cloth will have a softer biting texture than some toys.
Your dog will be able to bite into the fabric.
Cold Food
Cold food is a unique way to help with pain relief for teething dogs.
Make sure the food is safe for your dog to eat by doing some research before giving it to him.
Teething-friendly foods include chilled carrots, chilled mini-bagels, and frozen fruits.
They are a tasty reward for your dog.
They will also keep it occupied for an hour of chewing. [9]
Aloe Vera Ice Cubes
Aloe Vera helps reduce inflammation and pain in your pup’s gums.
It can be done using ice cubes or gel for dogs.
The first method requires freezing the juice into an ice tray for a few hours.
Owners should avoid placing the ice directly inside the dog’s mouth.
This may cause further inflammation and scarring.
Using a gel will help avoid these side effects. [10]
Cold Chamomile Tea
One teaspoon of dry chamomile should be brewed in one cup of hot water for this treatment.
Before giving your dog a small amount, allow it to cool fully.
Essential oils should get avoided as teething dog remedies. [11]
Commercial Pain Relief Options
| Rubber chew toys | Help relieve pain with the pressure from chewing on them |
| Dental chew toys | |
| CBD dog treats | Soothe pain and calm nerves |
| Teething gel |
Contains many pain-relieving substances. This includes clove, peppermint, and chamomile, and it has an enjoyable flavor
|
| Teethers | They can be freezable or not. The cold will relieve pain, and so will the chewing |
Most of the commercially available products are available in pet stores.
You can also order them online.
They are sometimes more effective.
Consult with your vet before you get any product. [12]
Preventive Measures and Tips
- Dental Care for Puppies
- Appropriate Teething Toys
- Vet-approved Dietary Choices
Dental Care for Puppies
|
Dental tools |
Use |
|
Silicone toothbrush and toothpaste |
Silicone brushes are soft and gentle on new teeth and sensitive gums. Always use dog toothpaste. |
|
Dental wipes |
It should not replace brushing. But it is better for sensitive gums while teething. Especially if the gums and teeth are healthy.
|
|
Dental scrapers |
You can use them at home but not too often. It’s better if a professional does this |
|
Much better for dental development in young pups and adults. Help get rid of plaque |
Start dental care for your pup as soon as the teeth come out.
This is good for their baby teeth, even if they fall out eventually.
By starting early, you also train your dog to stay when they’re bigger.
They will develop a habit. [13]
You might be wondering what to do if your dog’s tooth falls out.
Don’t panic.
This is normal for puppies.
Baby teeth should fall out.
Retention can lead to problems.
Remember to use appropriate toothbrushes and toothpaste for puppies.
You can even use dental wipes.
Avoid human toothpaste for dogs.
They can be poisonous.
With proper dental care at a young age, you can prevent problems down the line.
Appropriate Teething Toys
|
Teething toys |
|
Soft plastic dental chew toys |
|
Freezable chew toys |
|
Plush toys |
|
Stuffable chew toy |
Choosing a teething toy can be hard with so many choices.
Vets recommend softer toys for puppies.
Chewy soft toys prevent the breaking of the teeth.
Using hard chew toys can result in a broken tooth.
This can lead to a carnassial tooth abscess in a dog.
This can have deadly outcomes.
It’s easily prevented by using proper dental toys. [14]
Vet-approved Dietary Choices
|
Mix dry and soft foods |
|
Soak dry food in warm water |
|
Calcium-rich foods |
|
Chewy dog treats |
There are a few dietary changes to make in teething pups.
Softening dry food is a common one.
Dry foods contain all the nutrients a doggie needs.
But the texture is too rough on the irritated gums.
Crushing it and mixing it with water or canned food is a good solution.
Try to maintain the calcium in the diet.
They need it.
Include fish and vegetables in their food.
Dairy products are a good source too.
Vitamin D is also important for bone development. [15]
Do Puppies Cry a Lot When Teething?
Yes, puppies do cry a lot when teething.
Their gums hurt.
They’re swollen, and when they break through, they can bleed.
You can’t prevent it, but you can help them with dental toys.
Cold water and frozen fruit can help too.
Does Puppy Teething Pain Get Worse at Night?
Yes, puppy teething pain gets worse at night.
This is because, throughout the day, they are more distracted.
At night those distractions go away, and they focus on the pain only.
How do I know if my puppy is in pain from teething?
You will know if your puppy is in pain from teething based on their age.
If you have a pup between 10-12 months, then they’re teething.
They will make sure you know this because they will whine and cry.
If you check their gums, you’ll see that they are red and swollen.
Sometimes they can even bleed.
References
