How to Ease Puppy Teething Pain
Puppies come with all kinds of growing pains, but the one that’s most apparent (and painful, ouch!) is teething pain. Not sure how to ease puppy teething pain? Here are some tips and tricks to bringing your dog some comfort and yourself some peace from the constant energy of a teething puppy.
Symptoms of Puppy Teething
Like human babies, puppies explore their world with their mouths. That means, when they are looking from comfort from the pain of teething, you’ll find them getting into all sorts of trouble. Here are some telltale signs of teething in puppies:
- Blood on toys or bedding: Don’t freak out by the sight of blood. A little blood as teeth come loose is common enough with teething puppies. It’s likely your pup just lost a tooth. If you look around nearby, you might even find it!
- Increased need to chew: Teething comes with the incredible need to chew…on anything and everything. That’s why it’s so important to provide your dog with pet-safe chewing toys and treats, but more on that later.
- More drooling: All that circulation and chewing inevitably leads to more drooling. You might find some small puddles of drool after play time or when your dog gets super excited.
- Slow eating: Because they are in pain, your dog may eat more slowly. And that’s okay! Give them plenty of time to finish their meals.
- Whining: Dogs show pain many ways, and most commonly, they whine. Dogs whine to express their pain. If your dog is whining, give them lots of love and use some of the tips we outline below to ease their discomfort.
4 Ways to Ease Puppy Teething Pain
Here are some easy ways you can ease puppy teething pain:
Leave Lots of Toys Accessible
If you don’t have lots of stimulating toys accessible, your puppy is likely to chew on something they aren’t supposed to – like shoes and furniture legs. More dangerously, they may be tempted to chew things like electric wires. Therefore, be sure to bring in some toys for your pup. Don’t just dump a ton of toys in front of them. Instead, every day, select a few for them to enjoy. By rotating out the selection of toys, your dog is less likely to grow bored and resort to chewing on parts of your home. Go for toys made of sturdy nylon and not toys that fall apart easily or can be consumed.
Have Cool, Soothing Snacks Available
Cold baby carrots, apples, and frozen bananas are fun ways to give your dog a healthy treat and soothe their aching gums. Don’t overdo it on the treats, but when your pup isn’t feeling great, a cool treat is a great way to distract them. Also, if you have a treat-stuffing toy like a Kong, you can place peanut butter in it and freeze it. This will feel good for our dog and keep them busy for a while. They’ll be sure to finish their playtime with a nice, long puppy nap!
Crate Your Puppy When You’re Away
To prevent your puppy from getting into things they shouldn’t, you should crate or restrict the spaces your dog has access to. This is a good opportunity to teach your dog to love their crate, though. It’s a place of refuge and safety when you’re away. Be sure to line the crate with some soft bedding to entice your dog to lay inside. And remember, remove harnesses, collars, and even dog clothes while in the crate. If something becomes snagged on the wire of the crate, it could put your dog at risk.
Use This Time as a Training Opportunity
Your puppy will absolutely get into things they shouldn’t. So, use this time to teach your puppy what’s acceptable behavior. The earlier you can teach your dog, the better. Obedience training will also bring you and your dog closer. The skills you build together will impact your relationship for the duration of your dog’s life.