Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

5 telltale signs your puppy is teething and what you should do

Gabrielle LaFrank
By

As adorable as a puppy can be, their teeth — all 28 of them, to be exact — are not so cute. These baby teeth, also called deciduous teeth, will fall out and be replaced by their adult chompers by the time they’re a year old, but the months leading up to it can be, well … destructive.

Puppies aren’t trying to be annoying by chewing while they’re teething, but there are still ways you can help them get through it with minimum collateral damage. Understanding puppy teething symptoms is the first step toward the ultimate goal — but what are the signs your puppy is teething?

mattycoulton/Pixabay

What are the symptoms of puppy teething?

1. Drooling more than normal

Because your dog’s adult teeth are pushing her baby teeth farther and farther out, she may be drooling more (via Caring Hearts Animal Hospital). This sign can be a bit harder to notice if you have a dog whose breed is known for its slobber, but it might be easier to tell by looking for more drool than normal on their toys or anything they chew.

Recommended Videos

2. Chewing

Although all dogs like to chew to some extent, this behavior is certainly more noticeable in pups — for a few reasons. While gnawing on a toy or your favorite shoes can relieve some of the discomforts of teething, it also helps puppies learn about the world around them. All dogs use their mouths, noses, and ears to figure out how to navigate life, though VCA Animal Hospitals notes that “mouthy” breeds like shepherds and Labradors will be especially prone to this.

3. Blood spots on your puppy’s toys

Although they can be alarming, especially for first-time pup parents, spots of blood on your dog’s toys and other victims shouldn’t normally be a cause for concern. If they’re between three weeks and six months old, your puppy is probably just dealing with the normal side effects of teething and not a larger issue. If there’s an excessive amount of blood, or if you’re still concerned, it’s never a bad idea to reach out to your trusted veterinarian.

4. Puppy teeth falling out

In the same way that human children lose their baby teeth, puppies will lose their deciduous — or puppy — teeth as their adult ones grow in. They may fall out randomly or while chewing, both of which can be surprising, but it’s not dangerous. Your puppy may even swallow some of her teeth when they fall out! This won’t be an issue; your dog will pass them like anything else she ingests (via VCA).

Do let your vet know if your pup’s deciduous teeth don’t fall out, since they can lend a gentle helping hand. This is mostly a risk with flat-faced breeds such as pugs and shih-tzus, but it is worth keeping an eye out for no matter your dog’s breed.

5. Irritability and lack of appetite

Teething hurts! Don’t blame your dog if she doesn’t feel like snacking quite as often as normal — it’s quite likely not as enjoyable as it should be. This frustration might last longer than mealtime when your pup is particularly sore, but you’d be in a mood if you were in pain, too, wouldn’t you? Luckily, you’ve got a few ways to help your puppy feel better while eating, and most take only a few minutes. Keep on reading, pet parent!

a blonde puppy sits on a beige carpet and looks up at the camera with an open mouth
Leohoho/Pixabay

How to help your teething puppy

From making simple mealtime adjustments to buying specific toys and treats for teething, you have myriad ways to help your pooch cope with her new teeth. Remember that each dog is different and will eventually find their favorites, but some trial and error is always okay!

What to feed

Although you should not deviate from their recommended puppy diet, there are a few ways to make it more palatable for teething fur babies. Soaking kibble in warm water for 10–20 minutes before serving can help soften it, turning it into the perfect texture for sensitive mouths. The nutrition pros at Iams note that feeding your pup dry food will stimulate deciduous tooth loss and help your dog get through the process faster, which is a win for everyone.

If this doesn’t suit your fur baby’s needs, mixing her dry food with canned wet food meant for puppies is another option. You can switch entirely to wet food, too, though any large dietary shifts during this important time in your dog’s development can add more stress than value.

Teething toys and treats

A small splurge on a couple of teething toys for your puppy can go a long way in keeping your furniture safe (and even further in keeping your dog comfortable). You can even find puppy-sized Kong toys to keep food-motivated dogs occupied, though flavored puppy toys may be just as effective. Frozen carrots can be a cheap and natural alternative for chew toys — and many dogs enjoy them, too!

As you and your pup embark (pun certainly intended) on this lifelong journey, you’ll have many other firsts together. One step toward ensuring a lifelong friendship is caring for your pet and every part of her — teeth included! By keeping these few tips in mind, you’ll be more than ready to face whatever life throws at you both.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
5 surefire ways to keep your dog off your bed and get a good night’s sleep
Dog sleeping in the bed? Here are some ways to avoid that behavior
Big dog lying on bed

One of the most lovable things about dogs is their attachment to you, their pet parent. They want to be wherever you are — no ifs, ands, or buts. Although you, of course, adore spending time with your four-legged friend, there are times when you might want your space — for instance, when it's time to go to sleep.

Dogs don't always understand these boundaries at first, but it is possible to train them to sleep in their crate, a dog bed, or anywhere else you prefer that's not your sleeping spot. With these five tips and tricks, you can learn how to keep your dog off your bed and in their own in no time.

Read more
Are ‘dog years’ really 7 human years? How to calculate your dog’s age
Time to bust the myth: A dog year may not equal 7 human years
A dog licks a person's finger with yogurt on their nose

There are many ways to identify a dog's age and translate dog years to human years — other than knowing their birthday, of course — from the formation of their teeth to the development of their body. Then there’s the classic rule of 7: 1 year in "human time" equals 7  "dog years". However, research shows that figuring out exactly how to translate dog years to human years may not be as simple as multiplying a number by 7. So how can you calculate your dog’s age?
Let’s dive into the latest and most accurate techniques for canine age calculation. Once you know how to apply this knowledge, you'll be able to figure out what stage of life your dog is in.  This calculation is yet another way to ensure you’re taking the best possible care of your best buddy — and it’s fascinating to know either way.

Is 1 dog year 7 human years?
Despite the popularity of this trope — that 1 year for a dog is equal to 7 human years — it’s not quite that simple. In fact, the dog-to-human age equivalent can change from year to year depending on the age and size of your pet. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), all pups will gain about 15 human years within their first actual year of life, while the second year of life equals another nine years.
Past year two, however, the numbers tend to differ. Larger breeds will “age faster” on paper, meaning their human age equivalent will be higher than that of a smaller dog who was born at the same time. This may sound a bit sad, or even worrisome, so it’s important to remember that age isn’t an indicator of health or life expectancy. As we tell humans, age is just one number.

Read more
How to tell if your older dog’s health decline means the end is near
Signs your old pup is close to the end-of-life period
An old Great Dane with a white face leaning against a man's side.

If you've stumbled across this article after searching terms like "old dog behavior before death," we are so sorry for your situation. There's nothing we want more than for our fur babies to live forever. Unfortunately, death is a part of life we all must face, and the loss of a pet is a major trauma because of the tight bonds we form with our fur babies.

Knowing death's a part of life doesn't make the loss of a pet any easier — it can be as difficult as losing a human family member. Despite the many ways we can try to grieve once our beloved pet has passed, it can be helpful to know the end is near. Here's what you should look for if you suspect your dog may be nearing the end of the road.  

Read more