"Maintaining Your Puppy's Dental Health: Tips for Teething and Tooth Care"
"Maintaining Your Puppy's Dental Health: Tips for Teething and Tooth Care"
Congratulations on your wonderful decision to welcome a new puppy into your family!
Whether this is your first puppy or a new addition to your family, or perhaps it's been a while since you've had a puppy in your home, it's essential to know what to expect and how to handle the inevitable changes in your dog as he ages. In this article, we'll be focusing on a crucial aspect of your puppy's early life: the teething process. (Yes, puppies have baby teeth that fall out, just like human babies!)
Let's explore the stages your puppy will go through.
During weeks 2 to 4, your puppy will still be with their mother and breeder as their baby teeth start to emerge. During this time, their eyes will open, and they will continue nursing.
Moving on to weeks 5 to 6, your pup will have their baby teeth in place. Typically, dogs have around 28 baby teeth. At this stage, the breeder may have already started weaning the puppies onto moist, soft puppy food as they learn to eat independently.
Weeks 12 to 16 mark the exciting time when you can bring your puppy home with you. While some breeders allow puppies to go to their new homes at eight weeks, others may wait an additional month or so, depending on the breed and the breeder's individual preferences. Now that your puppy is home, you'll notice their baby teeth starting to fall out as they transition to their adult teeth.
Teething can be an uncomfortable process, as anyone who has cared for a teething baby can attest. To help alleviate your puppy's discomfort, it's essential to provide them with safe, natural toys that meet the same teething standards as those used for human babies. Our toys have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they meet the highest standards for human teething, making them a reliable choice for your teething puppy.
It's important to schedule a veterinary check-up during this time to ensure that everything is progressing well. Additionally, this period is crucial for socialization, which involves exposing your puppy to new experiences in a low-stress environment. While there are many aspects to socialization, given our current focus on teeth, it's an ideal time to start gently handling your puppy's mouth, both outside and inside. (Please be cautious as their remaining puppy teeth can still be quite sharp.) This practice will help your puppy become accustomed to having their teeth checked or brushed, making it a more manageable process in the future.
As your puppy reaches 6 months and older, their baby teeth should have fallen out, and their adult teeth should have fully grown in. Typically, adult dogs have around 42 teeth, which is approximately ten more than humans! If you happen to notice any baby teeth that have not fallen out, it's essential to inform your veterinarian, as they may need to be removed to ensure your puppy's oral health.
Your dog has Gleaming shiny teeth; you still need to ensure they well are looked after
Dogs lack the instinct to use their tongues effectively to remove chewed food from their teeth. When combined with the presence of plaque in their mouths, it can lead to the development of smelly breath and potentially result in periodontal disease and other serious health issues.
To maintain your dog's oral hygiene, it's essential to brush their teeth regularly or provide them with durable and soft dog toys designed for chewing. There is a variety of teething products available to assist in this process.
If you've already been training your dog to allow you near their mouth, you can introduce toothbrushing. However, it's crucial to use toothpaste specifically formulated for dogs. Enzymatic toothpaste is ideal as it works both mechanically and chemically to combat plaque buildup. Avoid using human toothpaste, as it can upset your dog's stomach.
Alternatively, you can use a mixture of baking soda and a small amount of water in the traditional way.
Remember that your dog's diet plays a significant role in their oral health. Look for products with the seal of approval from Veterinary Oral Health to ensure you're making the best choices for your pet.
For additional assistance with your teething puppy, explore our range of teething toys designed specifically for puppies. These pet toys are crafted in Spain using sap from the hevea tree and hand-painted with permanent food-grade dyes. They are free from hidden toxins often found in mass-produced dog toys.
Embrace this exciting time with your puppy, and always remember that only the best is suitable for your furry companion!
https://naturalrubberpetstoys.com/collections/puppy-teething-toy