A teething dog isn't much fun to be around. They want to chew on everything, including you!
Like us, dogs will have two sets of teeth in their lifetime-baby teeth and permanent adult teeth. Their baby teeth, number 28 and erupt through the gums when the dog is between three and six weeks old. The dog will shed its baby teeth and its permanent adult teeth will come in between two and eight months of age.
While there is some variation between breeds, most adult dogs have 42 teeth. Incisors come in first, then canines (fangs), and then the dogs’ premolars. The molars come in last at about six or seven months.
What Chewing Does For A Teething Dog
A teething dog will chew and gnaw on things because it helps sooth the pain and pressure they experience when their adult teeth are erupting or coming in. It’s necessary that you help your teething dog through this period as a prelude to good dog dental care .
A Teething Dog Can Be Frustrating
Teething can be a very frustrating time for both you and your dog. Your teething dog will chew and gnaw on anything it can reach, from furniture to your son’s $90 sneakers. Some teething dogs will even chew on wallboard. In addition to all the chewing and gnawing that your teething dogs does, you may also notice drooling, fluctuations in the dog’s appetitive and irritability.
Products For Your Teething Dog
You can actually make your own treats for your teething dog. One simple solution is to freeze natural bones that you have filled with cheese wiz, cream cheese, peanut butter, etc. A second treat you can make at home for your teething dog is to put either chicken or beef broth in ice cube trays then freeze it into ice cubes. Your teething dog will chew on these because it will love the taste, and the fact that what he is gnawing on is frozen, will help ease the pain of teething.
There are also products for teething dogs you can purchase at the pet store that can be frozen such as the ice bone, which is a stuffed, canvas bone-shaped chew toy you keep in the freezer when not in use.
Two other “freeze” products to relieve your teething dog's pain are the "Ruff-Puppy Teething Toy" and the "Chilly Bone". Both of these are said to sooth the teething dog’s sore gums.
Ruff-Puppy Teething Toy Cost: $6.99
Chilly Bone Cost: $8.19
Homeopathic Treatments For Teething Dogs
There are several homeopathic treatments that are said to relieve the teething dog’s pain and help it feel less anxious. They are:
Aloe Vera
Purchase some aloe vera juice from your local health food store and freeze it in a small paper cup. After it freezes, you can peel back the paper cup and rub the frozen juice on your teething dog's gums. This will soothe the discomfort in the gums, and will numb the pain almost immediately.
Chamomile
Make an herbal tea of chamomile by adding a tablespoon of it to a cup of hot water. Let it cool and use a syringe (without the needle of course!) to squirt some of the tea into your dog's mouth. This is said to help the teething dog feel better and less anxious.
Chamomilla
This is a homeopathic remedy (not just the herb) that can be used as a puppy-calming agent. Use low potency (12X or 30X) Chamomilla administered two to three times daily.
Teething Dog Toys
There are also any number of teething dog toys available online and at your nearby pet store. It’s best to choose one that has size information. This can help you make a size appropriate decision for what size toy would be best for your teething dog.
Teething Dog Mates
These are soft, plush toys that have a gentle rattle and squeak to keep your teething dog happy and entertained.
Cost: $12.15
Nylabone Puppy Teething Keys
These keys are said to assist in the growth and development of teeth and jaws. Nylabone Flexible Puppy Teething Keys™ have what they manufacturers says is an irresistible Bacon flavor that encourages puppies to develop non-destructive chewing habits.
Cost: 3.99
N-Bone Puppy Teething Treats
These chew toys are flexible and pliable to provide a satisfying chew treat that won’t damage your teething dog's teeth. It is said to be ideal for puppies of all sizes.
Cost: $6.29
Kong Puppy Teething Stick Small Dog Toy
This teething stick is made from non-toxic natural rubber. Its shape is designed to fit a teething dog’s mouth so that it soothes sore gums. It also has Denta-Ridges that helps clean the puppy’s teeth.
Cost: $3.98
Puppy Fish Chew Toy
The manufacturer of this chew toys says it is veterinarian recommended and will assist in the growth and development of the puppy’s teeth and jaws. It is said to have an irresistible bacon flavor, and a glow in the dark skeleton.
Cost: $7.19
A Time For Patience
Having a teething dog in the house can be a trying time for both you and your dog. With some patience and several – or more – of these dog teething toys and treats, the two of you can get through this difficult time. When it’s over, you will have a happy, well-adjusted dog and hopefully you will have most of your house still intact!
Starting your dog dental care at an early age will help to ensure a long healthy life for your dog.
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