Teething Puppies
Excessive chewing, blood and tooth-loss are all common signs that a puppy is teething – here's what to do
Puppies can be both a handful and a mouthful – they have 42 permanent teeth and 28 temporary (deciduous) teeth, which arrive around four weeks of age and are lost during weeks 14-30. Much like a teething baby, puppies can have a lessened appetite and an increased desire to chew.
Be sure to offer a teething puppy plenty of hard rubber chew toys and rawhide to keep them from gnawing on furniture, magazines, shoes, etc. If you find your puppy chewing on something it shouldn’t, take it away and give her a toy while offering positive reinforcement such as, “Chew on your toy, good girl!” This switch will reinforce that the toy is what you want her to chew on. Be prepared to perform this routine over and over until puppy understands the difference between what is hers and what is yours.
Also, teething puppies will bleed as they lose teeth. If you notice blood on a toy or on fabric, there’s no cause for concern. Offer your dog a cold chew toy designed for teething puppies, which is available at your local pet store.
If you notice any of the following, consult your veterinarian for further information:
• Prolonged loss of appetite
• Extreme bad breath
• Broken permanent teeth
• Red, inflamed and bleeding gums
• Excessive drooling
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