Survival Guide To Teething Puppies

There are few things more exciting than inviting a new puppy into your home. You’ve bought the dog bed, the specialised food, and all the balls and frisbees your fur baby’s heart could desire. You might be considering or have already taken out pet medical aid for dogs. However, as with any pet, some growing pains are to be expected. In the case of your new pup, you will likely face the issues of the teething process. We take a look at the measures you can take to help your puppy make this transition without the casualties of frayed furniture or dangerously exposed wiring.

How To Help Your Teething Puppy Adjust

1. Chew toys over your Jimmy Choos

A teething puppy can be a terror to most items in the home. As their chewing instinct kick into overdrive, you’re going to want to keep them away from table legs, your favourite shoes, and any electrical cables they might get their teeth on. The best way to do this is to give them something else to chew on. There are plenty of safe chewing toys on the market. The most popular chew toys are made of rubber and some are even designed for you to fill with the odd treat, giving your pup extra incentive to work out its new chompers on that, instead of the nearest chair leg.

2. Chilled treats

When teething, a puppy may experience swelling and pain in the gums. This can be remedied by either keeping a chew toy in the fridge or freezing treats. Remember that too many treats can be too much for a puppy’s sensitive stomach. It’s no secret that you can save on vet bills and pet insurance prices simply by keeping your pets to a healthy and balanced diet.

3. Protect your home from your pup

As mentioned earlier, nothing in your house is safe from a puppy looking to test out their new teeth. There are some things you can do to prevent your adorable destruction machine from doing irreparable damage to your furniture, shoes, and your tech. For one, try not to leave your pup alone for too long or at least make sure they have a toy that can keep them from seeing your couch cushions as a viable alternative. Make sure that the cords to your appliances are reinforced by a few extra layers of tape or are kept out of reach entirely. Finally, cordoning off sections of the house with baby gates should keep your toothy, furry whirlwind from decimating the more personal spaces of your home.

4. Practice puppy dental care

When your dog’s teeth arrive, you may be tempted to immediately grab a toothbrush for your little, fur baby. Not so fast! The last thing you want to do is have your dog associate tooth brushing with discomfort. However, your dog must get used to having its mouth handled. The best way to go about this is by gently scrubbing their teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush or simply putting a little dog toothpaste in their mouth. This is more a practice of a kind of socialisation at this stage, rather than aggressive dental care.

When To Go To The Vet

While mild discomfort is to be expected during the teething process, some complications can still occur that may require you to claim from your pet medical aid insurance. Many toy breed dogs, for instance, often develop “double teeth”. This is when a retained puppy tooth blocks the burgeoning adult dog tooth, which can lead to a very sore and swollen gum area. This would be one of those occasions where you may have to claim from your pet insurance policy to operate on dental disorder – if possible, at the same time you have your dog neutered.

Call up your vet immediately if your puppy starts to show the following signs of teething problems:

• Rubbing their mouth
• Difficulty eating/chewing
• Dropping food from the mouth while eating
• Refuses to eat or chew
• Bad breath

Image: Adobe Stock / Josu Ozkaritz

We hope these tips help to protect your home and your sanity from your puppy’s teething troubles. Part of giving your dog its best life is making sure to take them to regular vet visits and consult your vet when you notice early symptoms of potentially deadly diseases in your pet. A pet insurance can help you shoulder the costs of these visits and treatments, giving both you and man’s best friend peace of mind and many happy, healthy dog years. Apply for pet insurance quotes today!