Puppy Teething Symptoms & What to Do for a Teething Puppy

Just like human babies, puppies are born with no teeth. Around 2 to 3 weeks of age, sooner for larger breed puppies, the tiny teeth right in front begins to emerge. The first sets of teeth to appear are the incisors. Incisors are followed by the canine teeth, then the premolars and last of all the molars. The average adult dog has 22 on the lower jaw and 20 on the upper jaw, thus resulting in the adult set of 42 teeth.

When Do Puppies Get Their Teeth?

• When a puppy is born it has no teeth, which is similar to a human baby.
• The first 12 incisors start erupting at approximately 2 to 3 weeks of age.
• These incisors start falling out when the puppy is 12 to 16 weeks of age.
• Puppy should have a complete set of 28 teeth by 6 to 8 weeks of age.
• A total number of 42 teeth in an adult dog come with 22 teeth in the lower jaw, and 20 teeth in the upper jaw.
• These 42 teeth include 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars, and 10 molars
• Puppies actually have a complete set of 42 adult teeth by the time they are a year old.

Puppy Teething Symptoms

It is quite evident that your pup is in the throes of teething if your puppy is drooling, bleeding, chewing, losing appetite.

• Drooling: If you see more wetness on his bed or wherever he sleeps, there is a good chance that new teeth are trying to erupt. At this stage, you will notice more saliva than usual or you may feel his wet face.
• MissingTeeth: Sometimes you might even find the tiny baby tooth on the floor. And even if you can’t find any missing teeth, don’t worry, those are swallowed without any problems.
• Bleeding or Swollen Gums: Don’t panic if there are drops of pinkish blood on favorite toys. Teething can be painful and as a result, you may notice their gums are swollen,
• Eating disorder: Losing appetite is inevitable if eating causes some pain while teething.
• Chewing: The most visible outward behavior is chewing on anything – shoes, furniture, woodwork. This helps relieve some of the pain associated with new erupting teeth.
• Other Puppy Teething Symptoms: Temperature above 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit could suggest fever in your puppies. Yet, not all puppies have a fever, cry or whimper.

What to Do for a Teething Puppy?

• Let the teething begin: The deciduous teeth first begin to appear when your pup is between 2 and 4 weeks old.Prime puppy-teething usually begins when your pup is at three to four months old.
• Start soothing: A variety of chew-toy or a tug-of-war toy may help soothe your pup. These will provide wonderful relief for your teething puppy. Even ice cubes can relieve their teething discomfort. Herbs like chamomile and lavender have soothing properties. It can help calm your pup during tough teething periods.
• Let dental care begin: No sooner you have passed the teething phase, you should start to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Tooth decay and gum disease are a common concern for dogs but good habits can do wonders for them later in life.

When to Visit a Vet?

• Never hesitate to consult your veterinarian if complications arise with your puppy’s teeth or overall health.
• Make sure that there are no bite problems. If it occurs as a result of puppy teeth then pulling the baby teeth prematurely may be necessary.

Final Words

• It is quite natural that they never lose their instinct to chew on things.
• Anything that is within reach is a fair target to chew during the phase of teething.
• Even if they find any object that relieves some of their pain, they are going to check it out.
• But giving your puppy good, safe things to chew on will help them keep their teeth in good condition and reduces the risks of dental problems.
• Be patient and keep trying to make this transition as smooth and painless as possible for both of you.