Puppy Teething Care 2025: Vet Tips for Comfort, Safety & Strong Teeth 🦷🐶

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Puppy teething is an essential—but sometimes challenging—stage of development. As a veterinarian, I’ll guide you through stages, pain signs, safe chew options, dental hygiene, oral redirecting, and long-term strategies to support healthy, happy puppy mouths.

1. 📅 Timeline of Puppy Teething

Puppies go through two major teething phases:

• Deciduous (baby) teeth erupt: from ~2 weeks to ~6 weeks of age—28 sharp, “needle” teeth.
• Puppy teeth fall out, adult teeth erupt: from ~12 to ~24 weeks—leading to 42 permanent teeth.

The intense discomfort tends to peak between 12–24 weeks during adult tooth growth.

2. 😫 Signs of Teething Discomfort

Puppies express gum pain and irritation with:

• Excessive drooling
• Increased chewing or destruction of objects
• Irritability or reluctance to eat
• Nipping at people or siblings
• Chewing toys, furniture, or fingers

If they show systemic signs—fever, refusal to eat, mouth sores—consult your vet promptly.

3. ✅ Safe Chew Toy Selection

Appropriate chew toys soothe gums and protect teeth:

• For 4–12 weeks: puppy-soft toys only—avoid hard rubbers.
• For 12–24 weeks (peak teething): use:
• Soft rubber toys (KONG Puppy, Puppy Binkie) label for age/size
• Soft plush toys and teething rings (chew rings/sticks)
• Treat-dispensing toys (KONG, Busy Buddy) provide sustained chewing and mental enrichment
• Avoid hard toys and bones—they risk breaking teeth
• After 24 weeks: puppies can transition to adult-safe chew toys like durable rope and fetch toys.

4. ❄️ Soothing with Frozen Treats

Cold items numb gums:

• Offer chilled veggies like blueberries, green beans, carrots
• Freeze kibble or puppy food inside a KONG or puzzle ball

5. 🦴 Redirect Destructive Chewing

Puppies chew as play or exploration—redirect unwanted chewing:

• Swap hands/shoes with appropriate chew toy and praise
• Rotate toys to sustain interest
• Use tasty deterrents (bitter spray/tape) on forbidden items

Don’t yell or punish—this may cause fear, not learning.

6. 🧬 Nutrition & Growing Teeth

Balanced nutrition helps dental development:

• Choose formulated puppy food high in calcium and nutrients
• Avoid giving bones or hard chews during teething
• Continue monitoring diet as adult teeth finish erupting

7. 🪥 Starting Dental Health Early

Daily dental care now prevents future disease:

• Introduce brushing with soft dog toothbrush or finger brush and water
• Begin with finger gum rubs, then toothbrush and toothpaste once comfortable
• Aim for daily brushing within a few weeks
• Offer dental chew toys and treats approved by VOHC

8. 🐾 Breed & Size Considerations

• Small breeds: need softer, smaller toys to prevent tooth damage
• Large or strong-chewing breeds: more durable options, frozen KONGs
• Brachycephalic breeds: chew pace slowly, monitor temperature when freezing toys
• Anxious pups: add enriching toys and calming aids like Purrz diffusers

9. 🛠️ Tools & Supportive Services

• Ask A Vet App: chat guidance for teething pain, broken teeth, or behavior concerns
• Soft bristle toothbrush & enzymatic toothpaste for daily care

10. 🩺 When to Call the Vet

Seek vet attention if you notice:

• Broken, loose adult teeth or bleeding gums beyond normal shedding
• Refusal to eat/drink for 24+ hours
• Persistent foul breath or jaw swelling
• Excessive pain, pawing at mouth, or whining
• Severe chewing leading to ingestion of fabric or plastic

11. 🌟 Long-Term Dental Wellness Plan

Keep your puppy’s mouth healthy:

• Maintain daily brushing and dental routines
• Offer VOHC-approved dental chews regularly
• Schedule annual vet dental exams with possible cleanings
• Use healthy chew habits with toys, avoiding destructive items

12. 📝 Summary At-a-Glance

📌 Key Takeaways

• Understand teething stages (2–24 weeks) to anticipate discomfort
• Provide safe toys (age-appropriate, rubber, frozen) and rotate frequently
• Redirect inappropriate chewing with calm training and reinforcement
• Start dental hygiene early—brushing, chews, vet exams
  
• Contact your vet for signs of pain, broken teeth, or oral infection