Do you have a puppy in your household? If so, you may have some extra pet parenting to do as your dog goes through his chewing phase. Petproofing is a must at this stage. However, aside from protecting the sofa legs from your puppy’s incessant chewing, it’s important for you to do some research. Knowing the details of teething is a good idea, though. That way, you know what your puppy is going through and when, and you can let your vet know ASAP if something seems amiss.
Just like human babies, puppies are born with no teeth. They don’t need them at this stage, after all. Puppies nurse from their mother if the mother is around. They’ll need to be hand-fed from a bottle if the mother isn’t available.
Around two or three weeks of age, your puppy’s first baby teeth will start to come through his gums. The smaller front teeth, called the incisors, are usually the first ones to appear. The canine teeth will follow—these are the four long fangs. Your furry buddy’s premolars are the last to appear, and they come in behind the canines, which are near the back of the mouth. When it’s all said and done, your puppy will have 28 baby teeth. These are known medically as the deciduous teeth and are often referred to as the milk teeth.
By the time your puppy is about six weeks old, all of his baby teeth will probably have come in. Around this time, your adorable friend will be in the process of getting weaned off of the mother’s milk or formula. He’ll also begin eating solid puppy food.
Around the 12- to 16-week mark, your adorable pet’s baby teeth will start falling out. The adult teeth come in and simply push the deciduous teeth out of the way, so you may occasionally see a baby tooth on the floor or by little Fido’s water or food bowls. Most often, though, puppies simply swallows the baby teeth as they come out. That sounds disturbing, but is perfectly normal.
By the time your canine companion is six months old, all 28 baby teeth will likely be gone, replaced by 42 adult teeth. Your pooch will now have molars in addition to premolars, which are the largest teeth at the back of the mouth that help with chewing and mashing food.
Do you have questions about your puppy’s teething? We’re here to help. Call your vet clinic today.