Puppy teething: how to make the process easier

Puppies start teething between three and six months of age. They chew on everything they can find around the house to ease the pain and discomfort of pressure on the gums. Puppy teething can be made easier by providing chew toys and simple aids like ice cubes.

Chew toys are made of hard rubber or plastic, but they won’t harm teeth or developing gums. These toys not only help during teething, but also distract puppies from damaging household items like furniture and shoes during this stage. The toys given for this purpose should also be fun and invite the puppies to play.

Kong chew toys are made from natural rubber and are a great option for puppies to relieve pressure on their gums. Running water over Kong Chilly Bones and placing it in the freezer provides soothing relief for sore gums. Nylabones are plastic dog chews in the form of bones, wishbones, balls and sticks that are flavored with chicken, bacon or liver. Simple dog rope toys can be soaked in chicken or beef broth and frozen for a fun treat that also helps teething.

There are also puppy teething rings made from all natural materials that are easily digested. These products clean teeth, massage gums, and even freshen breath. Other hard rubber or plastic teething toys are available in various shapes, just like for human babies, but are much stronger for canine chewing.

Some easy home remedies to ease the pain of swollen gums include making ice cubes or crushed ice with aloe vera juice. This substance is a natural anti-inflammatory and is found in health food stores. Ice can also be made with chicken or beef broth for a tasty yet useful treat.

Owners can gently massage their puppies’ gums with a finger or a soft dog toothbrush dipped in cold or ice water. This also teaches the animal to get used to having its teeth brushed for good oral hygiene.

Although human babies benefit from applying Anbesol or Orajel to the gums, this is not recommended for puppies. Ingredients in these and similar products could cause severe allergic reactions, prompting an emergency visit to the vet. Rawhide bones should also not be given as chew toys to puppies, as they are difficult to digest, especially in young tummies.

The best way to ease a puppy’s teething process is to give him specially designed chew toys to soothe this stage of pain and discomfort. It’s best to give puppies just two or three toys to keep them busy rather than too many. Owners can better monitor these toys and dispose of any that get too destroyed before their prized pet chokes on any small pieces.