How to Help a Teething Puppy

Did you know that puppies and humans alike go through teething pains in their early lives? Whether you’re a new puppy parent or a master hound handler, there are different ways to manage a young teething puppy. Take a look at our tips and tricks guide on how to help a teething puppy and save your furry friend some pain and aches during a difficult growing process. This guide will cover home remedies for teething puppies, puppy teething pain relief, what to get a teething puppy, and more!

How to Help a Teething Puppy, First: Identify the Issue

The first step in helping your little velociraptor’s puppy teething pain relief is first to diagnose the problem. The common signs of a teething puppy are red or inflamed gums (in more extreme cases, bleeding gums), excessive chewing or biting, whining or crying, slow eating or lack of appetite, or any combination of these symptoms. Puppies typically start teething in the first few months of their lives and stop in 6-7 months. If these symptoms persist after the expected teething period, you may want to consult your puppy’s veterinarian.

How to Help a Teething Puppy Option 1: Home Remedies

There are many home remedies for teething puppies, but which ones are the best for your fierce fido? The first (and easiest) option is to offer human foods that they would normally consider treats and freeze them. Try offering a frozen bagel, frozen banana, cooked and frozen sweet potatoes, frozen carrots, frozen pumpkins, and frozen cheese. The frozen food item doubles as a treat and cold pack for their inflamed mouths. Using frozen or chilled food items is a great way to provide some puppy teething pain relief for your little ankle biter.

How to Help a Teething Puppy Option 2: Teething-Friendly Toys

Toys are the most effective way to protect your furniture and fingers from your velociraptor. Remember that teething puppies can’t help the pain that they’re feeling, and biting and nipping is often a way to stimulate their teeth and gums for some relief. This sometimes means your puppy will bite and nip at anything and everything, including your fingers. That's why you don't need to worry too much about what to get a teething puppy because they'll chew just about anything. Get a toy to redirect your puppy’s attention from biting and be sure to use toys and other items that can handle the tiny chompers. The right toys can be a great way to help with puppy teething pain relief. 

How to Help a Teething Puppy Option 3: Teething-Friendly Treats

Using high-quality dog treats that are made to last is another great option for managing your teething puppy. Natural dog chews such as beef jerky for dogs, pig or cow ears for dogs, beef tracheas, or other soft-to-medium chews are the best options for puppies. These types of natural dog chews can double as a treat as well as an appropriate item for your puppy to chew. Freezing some of these treats can also be done for the added “cold pack” effect; the added bonus here is that these long-lasting treats will last even longer when they’re cold! If you plan to freeze treats, be sure to pick an item that will not become too hard after freezing. Be sure to direct your puppy to chew on only chew-appropriate items like toys, treats, and food. Remember to train your puppy early that gnawing on furniture, shoes, or remote controls are no-no objects.

How to Help a Teething Puppy: Other Considerations

When the adult teeth begin to grow in, your puppy’s gums will become inflamed, and they will begin to chew things to alleviate the discomfort. Be sure to monitor your puppy carefully when going on walks or hikes, where they may pick up sticks, rocks, or other random objects they may find. While there is nothing cuter than seeing a puppy be happy with a stick, sometimes these random objects can have sharp edges or points. Sharp edges or pointy limbs on a stick can cut or stab your puppy’s mouth. Inspect the stick or object to make sure it's safe before allowing them to play with or carry it. 

Most teething puppies will finish teething in about six months. If the problem persists after this period, your pupper might be suffering from something else.  Consider talking to your puppy’s veterinarian if your puppy continues to whine, shows excessive chewing habits, or has difficulty eating.

Teachable Puppy Moments

Dealing with a teething puppy can be difficult, but there are some advantages to this during your young pup’s life. You can begin to train your puppy that biting humans and fingers are not to be rewarded if your puppy begins to nip or bite. Say “ow” or “stop!” when this happens and reward your puppy when they stop the behavior or move on to something acceptable for chewing, such as a toy. Be sure to stop playing when this happens to reinforce that you will not engage if your puppy becomes too aggressive during play. Redirecting your puppy’s attention is an effective way to instill good habits they will use during their adult life. Reward good behavior when the puppy chews on a toy or other designated item and discipline when your puppy chews on something bad like shoes, furniture, or other non-acceptable items. 

A teething puppy can be a very difficult challenge if you’re not prepared to deal with them. Practicing patience and understanding to your young pup will pay off in the long run when they understand that destroying pillows, furniture, or other items is unacceptable. Be sure to puppy-proof the items that you want to protect and get plenty of treats ready for training! For more tips and tricks, like our home remedies for teething puppies, check out our Bully Bunches blog! At Bully Bunches, we offer premium-quality treats for dogs of all ages. Be sure to stock up on puppy treats that your baby bear will love!