🦷 Puppy Health
Puppy Teething: Managing Pain & Redirecting Chewing
Teething is uncomfortable and necessary. Puppies chew heavily during this period to relieve pain. Provide cold/frozen chew toys, appropriate toys for different chewing styles, and expect increased chewing behavior. Teething ends by 6–7 months in most puppies. Do not punish chewing — provide relief and redirect.
The cause
The teething timeline and why it matters
Puppy teeth erupt starting around week 4–5 and are fully shed by week 6–7 months. Adult teeth come in during week 8–10 onwards. Between week 12–20, the transition is heaviest and most uncomfortable.
Teething puppies chew intensely because their gums hurt. This is not misbehavior — it's pain management. Redirecting chewing to appropriate toys with some relief options (cold toys, for example) helps the puppy through this developmental period without frustration.
The fix
Managing teething
Offer cold/frozen chew toys
Refrigerate or freeze wet, rope-textured toys or rubber toys. The cold provides numbing relief. Kongs can be filled with wet food, frozen, and offered during heavy teething weeks. The cold + the chewing = pain relief.
Multiple frozen toys available daily during weeks 12–20Provide variety in chew toy textures
Different puppies prefer different textures: rubber (Kongs), rope, bully sticks, yak chews, nylon toys. Rotate through types. Some provide relief through compression-chewing; others through gnawing. Variety keeps interest high.
4–5 different chew toy types available, rotated dailyRedirect chewing immediately
When you catch your puppy chewing inappropriate items, redirect to a chew toy. If the toy is more appealing (frozen, high-value), they'll choose it over the couch. Make chew toys more interesting than anything else.
Immediate redirection every time you see wrong-item chewingIncrease supervision and confinement during peak teething
Weeks 12–16 are peak teething. Your puppy's chewing drive is higher than ever. Supervise closely and manage access. Prevent unsupervised access to tempting items (furniture, shoes, baseboards).
Continuous management during peak weeksWatch for retained baby teeth
Sometimes a baby tooth doesn't fall out when the adult tooth erupts, creating a double tooth. If you see this, mention it to your vet. Most resolve on their own, but some need extraction to prevent bite issues.
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Start free coaching session →Common mistakes
3 mistakes during teething
Punishing heavy chewing
Teething chewing is not misbehavior. Yelling at a teething puppy for chewing is punishing them for having normal developmental pain. Redirect instead of punishing.
Not providing frozen/cold relief
Cold toys genuinely help teething pain. If you just give room-temperature toys, your puppy is uncomfortable and will seek relief elsewhere (couch, shoes). Frozen toys make a huge difference in behavior and comfort.
Assuming your puppy will stop chewing after baby teeth fall out
Adult dogs chew throughout their lives. Teething (baby teeth falling out) ends by 7 months, but chewing behavior continues. Have appropriate chew toys available forever, not just during teething.
Breed notes
When to escalate
Vet concerns during teething
Most teething is normal and resolves by 6–7 months. However, consult your vet if: your puppy has difficulty eating, severe swelling in the mouth or jaw, retained baby teeth that don't fall out by 7 months, or signs of infection (fever, discharge).
FAQ
Common questions
How long does teething last?
Heaviest teething is weeks 12–20. By 6–7 months, most puppies have all adult teeth and the intense period passes. Some light chewing continues, but the urgent need to chew for pain relief decreases significantly.
Should I give my puppy ice cubes to chew?
Ice is very hard and can damage developing teeth. Soft, frozen toys (rope, rubber) or partially frozen wet foods are better choices. They provide cold relief without the risk of tooth damage.
My puppy isn't eating well during teething. Should I be concerned?
Some puppies eat less during peak teething due to sore gums. Try softening kibble with warm water or offering wet food. If your puppy refuses food entirely for more than 24 hours, contact your vet.
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