Like humans, puppies also grow two sets of teeth—the first set (baby or deciduous teeth) start to erupt from the gums when the animal is between 3-6 weeks of age; the permanent set of teeth starts to come out at around 4 months of age, as the baby teeth fall off gradually.

Teething is very uncomfortable, so puppies seek relief by chewing on anything they can get their mouths on. When puppies are between 8-12 weeks of age, they are weaned from their mother and are brought to new homes. At this time, the first set of teeth is complete, and will soon begin to fall out as the puppies reach 4 months of age and gradually replaced by permanent teeth. When this happens, the pups experience teething pain and discomfort all over again. This is the reason new pet owners have to deal with a puppy’s chewing behavior. Since your pet won’t know which things are safe to chew and which are not, it is your responsibility to guide your pooch to chew the right things.

Know more about your pet’s dental needs by visiting your Ellicott City, MD vet. Important information about pets and their care is available on this site.