Puppy Teething Age Chart: Stages, Symptoms

Understand the stages of Puppy Teething Age Chart with our comprehensive. Learn about symptoms, relief methods, and how to navigate this challenging phase by Dogs Infor.

Understanding Puppy Teething

Puppy teething is a natural process that all puppies go through as their baby teeth are replaced by adult teeth. It’s a time of discomfort and potential behavioral changes for your puppy, but with proper understanding and care, you can help them through this phase.

The Stages of Puppy Teething

• Eruption of Baby Teeth: Puppies are born with no teeth, but their baby teeth begin to erupt around 3-4 weeks of age.
• Teething Phase: The teething phase begins when the baby teeth start to loosen and fall out, making way for adult teeth. This typically happens between 4-6 months of age.
• Adult Teeth Eruption: Adult teeth start to erupt around 4 months of age and continue coming in until about 6-8 months.

Puppy Teething Age Chart

Puppy Teething Symptoms

• Chewing: Puppies will chew on anything they can get their mouths on to relieve discomfort and itchiness in their gums.
• Drooling: Increased drooling is common as puppies chew and their gums become sore.
• Irritability: Puppies may become irritable and restless due to discomfort.
• Loss of Appetite: Some puppies may have a decreased appetite during teething.
• Gum Inflammation: Gums may become red, swollen, and tender.
• Swollen Gums: Gums may appear swollen due to the pressure of erupting teeth.
• Bad Breath: Teething can sometimes cause bad breath.

Managing Puppy Teething

Puppy teething can be a challenging time for both you and your puppy. However, with the right approach, you can help manage their discomfort and ensure a smooth transition to their adult teeth.

Teething Toys: A Puppy’s Best Friend

• Chewing Relief: Teething toys provide a safe and satisfying outlet for your puppy’s chewing urges, helping to relieve discomfort and prevent destructive chewing on furniture or other items.
• Variety and Texture: Offer a variety of teething toys with different shapes, sizes, and textures to keep your puppy engaged and entertained.
• Frozen Treats: Frozen teething toys or chew toys can provide additional soothing relief for sore gums.

How to Choose the Right Teething Toys

• Safety First: Choose toys made from safe, durable materials that won’t break apart and pose a choking hazard.
• Appropriate Size: Select toys that are the right size for your puppy’s mouth to prevent choking or swallowing.
• Durability: Opt for toys that can withstand vigorous chewing.
• Cleaning: Choose toys that are easy to clean and sanitize.

Other Ways to Manage Teething

• Cold Chews: Offer your puppy cold treats or chew toys to help numb sore gums.
• Dental Chews: Dental chews can help clean your puppy’s teeth and gums while providing a satisfying chewing experience.
• Distraction: Engage your puppy in interactive play or training sessions to distract them from chewing on inappropriate items.
• Supervision: Supervise your puppy closely, especially during the teething phase, to prevent them from chewing on dangerous objects.
• Positive Reinforcement: Reward your puppy for chewing on appropriate toys to reinforce good behavior.

Puppy Teething by Breed

While the general teething process is similar across dog breeds, the timing and intensity can vary depending on size and breed characteristics.

Small Breeds

• Early Teething: Small breeds tend to start teething earlier, often around 3-4 weeks of age.
• Shorter Teething Phase: Their teething phase is generally shorter, lasting about 4-5 months.
• Intense Chewing: Small breeds may be more prone to intense chewing due to their smaller mouths and more sensitive gums.

Medium Breeds

• Mid-Range Teething: Medium breeds fall somewhere in between small and large breeds in terms of teething timing.
• Moderate Chewing: They typically experience moderate chewing behavior.

Large Breeds

• Later Teething: Large breeds often start teething later, around 4-5 weeks of age.
• Longer Teething Phase: Their teething phase can last longer, extending up to 7-8 months.
• Less Intense Chewing: Large breeds may chew less intensely due to their larger mouths and thicker gums.

Conclusion

Puppy teething is a normal and essential part of development, but it can be a challenging time for both puppies and their owners. Understanding the stages of teething and the corresponding ages can help you anticipate and manage your puppy’s behavior.

Armed with this knowledge, you can confidently navigate your puppy’s teething journey and ensure a happy and healthy experience for both of you. Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian for professional advice.