How Long Does a Puppy's Teething Last and What is Puppy Breath

Puppies go through a teething stage as their baby teeth begin to come in. Chewing helps soothe a puppy's mouth during this stage and it's important to make sure they don't find inappropriate objects to chew on that can be harmful to them. The good news is teething won't last long and if you aren't a fan of puppy breath, it too will disappear as the puppy grows.

A puppy's teeth begin to come in (28 of them) between six to eight weeks old and that's usually when mom becomes anxious to wean them. Those little puppy teeth are sharp as needles at that age and they have razor sharp teeth for a reason. Because their jaw strength hasn't developed, they need sharper teeth to make up for a weaker jaw. An adult dog's teeth (most breeds have 42) are strong and positioned correctly in the mouth which gives them the strength in their matured jaw they need for eating and protection.

Depending on the breed of dog and his size, most puppies start to lose their baby teeth at 4 months, but some can begin as early as 3 months and some may not begin to lose them until they're 6 months or older. By the time a puppy is 7 to 8 months old, they should have a full set of adult teeth. But that doesn't mean their chewing days are over. Dogs are as individual as we are and some will take longer than others to stop chewing on everything they see. Puppies who grow up with behavior problems can continue their chewing for years if their behavior issues aren't addressed. Beginning to train a puppy as soon as you get him home is the best way to ward off any behavioral problems as they mature.

Puppies chew to learn what things are, how they feel (the texture of an object) and to relieve the discomfort of teething. If you don't provide them with appropriate and safe toys to chew on, a puppy will seek out other things that's not acceptable like electrical chords, shoes, furniture and even walls. Some pups can continue to chew for a couple of years or longer and others stop chewing once their adult teeth come in. It depends on the dog.

You can find a wide variety of chew toys and interactive toys to help you get through the teething stage and help keep your pup or older dog entertained. Make sure chew toys are safe for your pup with no loose parts they can swallow. Throw any toy away when it becomes worn or torn. Treat dog toys just like you would your kids' toys. Some dogs may need to be supervised to make sure they don't eat their toys. If you have a hardy chewer, make sure his toys will hold up to his chewing.

Freezing a clean rag that's been soaked and then wrung out and frozen is a good alternative if you don't have any toys available. Chicken soup frozen in ice cube trays or plain ice cubes also work great for something a puppy can chew on to help relieve discomfort during teething. The chicken soup cubes are a nice treat for them to chomp on to their little heart's content and it can give the cat some peace and quiet.

One of the things I've always loved about puppies is how their breath smells. Of course not everyone likes the smell of a puppy's breath and can't wait for it to disappear. Either way, before you know it, the puppy grows into a young adult dog and his puppy breath disappears.

No one really knows what causes puppy breath. The common theory is because a puppy's digestive system is not completely developed, puppy breath comes from gas in the pup's stomach that leaks out through a still developing esophagus. Another belief is it comes from the mother's milk and the milder puppy food they eat when they are being weaned. Enzymes break down the food and could be the cause of puppy breath. The one sure thing is, puppy breath doesn't last and as the pup grows, his puppy breath fades and is gone long before he's matured into an adult at a year old.

Little ice pick like teeth grab on to everything in a puppy's sight. Toes, fingers, electrical cords and even the cat is fair game, as far as the puppy is concerned. Teething is a natural and necessary development that is over before you know it, but many a puppy owner wondered if their fingers, toes, couch and the cat would survive a puppy's teething stage. Wolf pups also have puppy breath.

You will seldom find any teeth that's fallen out during teething, but you may. They usually swallow a tooth and it's nothing to be concerned about. Start a puppy's training as soon as you bring him home to teach him how you expect him to behave and make sure he only chews on puppy safe objects and toys and not on you or the cat.

What is Puppy Breath?,super1foods.com

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