A guide to puppy teething

When do puppies start teething?

When your puppy starts teething, it can be a difficult time. The average teething age for a puppy is between three and six weeks old, although this can vary from pup to pup. It’s a normal (but sometimes painful) process – and it often comes in phases. In the first stage, their puppy teeth can be surprisingly sharp. 

While the first stage isn’t too bad, the second stage can be a stressful time for owners and their pups. This is the age for your puppy when teething becomes uncomfortable.

When do puppies' baby teeth start to fall out?

The second stage of puppy teething happens around the three-to-six-month mark – which is when your pup’s teeth begin to fall out. Their gums may become sore, which means they’re going to be chomping and chewing a lot. Hands, furniture, and even the TV remote – everything is fair game for your pup at this point. Chewing can bring a lot of relief to their gums, which is why they’ll be nibbling on anything they can find.

If you’re worried about your teething puppy at this age, teething toys and bones could save your shoes in the long run. It’s important to teach your pup what belongs to them and to you, as it can save you stress. Remember, your pup still has sharp teeth at this point so it’s important to supervise them when they’re chewing. If you don’t, it could lead to them swallowing unwanted things.

Puppy teething symptoms to look out for

Excessive chewing, biting, or nipping

Puppy or dog, your furry friend is always going to chew. But when it becomes excessive, especially in a puppy, it’s likely a sign of dog teething. You may want to keep your possessions out of harm’s way and give your pup some chew toys of their own.
 

Drooling

If your puppy is salivating heavily, it could indicate they are teething. Saliva lubricates your puppy’s gums and makes it easier for them to chew.
 

Swollen or red gums

While teething, your puppy’s gums can become swollen and sore. These are normal growing pains, but a telltale sign of teething.
 

Whimpering

If your puppy is crying or whimpering a lot, it’s worth looking out for symptoms of dog teething.
 

Loss of appetite

Pups love that sound of food hitting the bowl, so if you notice they’re no longer scampering over it, it could be due to mouth pain.
 

Spots of blood on items

If you’re noticing specks of blood on chewed items, it could be an indication that your puppy is teething.
 

Pawing mouth

You may notice your puppy chewing on their paws – this is usually a sign they’re trying to ease discomfort. 

How long does puppy teething last?

When your puppy is six to eight months old, their 42 adult teeth will start coming in. That’s 20 on top and 22 on the bottom. But in some cases, your puppy may teeth until nine to 12 months. It’s nothing to worry about, as every dog is a little bit different. If you’re concerned, you can always reach out to your vet.

How to help puppy teething?

Teething puppies are going to want to chew on everything, and it’s best to let them. But this doesn’t mean your favourite pillows need to become a chew toy. Create a distinction between what is yours and theirs and give them plenty of toys to get their teeth into. This can make a chaotic few months much easier – and maybe even save your favourite shoes or upholstery.

Here are some of the best things you can do for teething puppies:

• Get them a frozen carrot to chew on
• Purchase some puppy teething toys – you could even freeze some of these
• If you’re concerned about your pup, get them a dental check-up. The vet may have some helpful recommendations too
• Work on obedience training
• Teach them to trust you by looking at their gums and teeth early on. If they can trust you to clean their teeth now, it’ll help in the future
• Puppy-proof your house – that means hiding wires and cords, putting up gates, and keeping chewable objects like towels out of reach

If you’re giving your puppy toys, it’s worth monitoring them so they don’t swallow anything they shouldn’t.

While you don’t need to be worried about dog teething, it’s natural that you may have some concerns. It’s worth making sure you’ve got a puppy or dog insurance plan in place, if anything unexpected happens. Learn about Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance today.