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Feeding Tips for Your Teething Puppy
Feeding Tips for Your Teething Puppy

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What to Feed a Teething Puppy?

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Puppies grow quickly and have special nutritional needs to keep their bodies strong. The most noticeable period of a pup’s growth phase is known as the rapid growth stage, which occurs between 2 and 6 months of age. From about 3 to 6 months, most pups will lose their puppy teeth. In fact, you might find a tooth near the feeding dish or on the floor, and this is quite normal. However, you may also be left wondering what to feed a teething puppy. This is a perfectly normal query that tends to concern a lot of pet parents. 

 

During the teething phase, the young pup’s mouth and gums may be very sensitive, which could cause them to be a bit picky when it comes to eating. There's nothing you can do except to wait it out, even if their appetite is low for a couple of days.

Teething puppy tips

While teething is painful for puppies, there are a few things you can do to make them feel better. Here is a quick guide for you on what to give a teething puppy in terms of food and toys:

  • Feeding a teething puppy

Your puppy may seem uninterested in dry food during teething. But don't switch to a new formula to stimulate your puppy's appetite. Changing food at this time can cause additional stress and intestinal upset. The tips below could help your puppy make the change:

  • Mix their regular, premium dry food with premium canned puppy food to soften the dry food and make mealtime even more appealing. Or try some moist food to help him through this sensitive period.
  • Soak dry food in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Feeding dry food and biscuits loosens the teeth, so pups can get through the teething process quicker. If their appetite loss persists, see your veterinarian before you switch food.
  • Choosing chewing toys

Encourage your young dog to chew on toys by choosing chew toys that are appropriate for their size. Also, pick a variety of textures to keep them interested in the toys. You can also try giving them frozen toys that are shaped like a bone. Always keep an eye on the puppies while they are busy chewing the toys, to ensure they don’t bite off chunks. If that happens, do make sure to replace the toy immediately.

  • Other ways to alleviate teething pain

You can also give your puppy a clean and damp washcloth, chilled for a few hours. Chewing on this will also provide some much-needed relief. Do ensure that you supervise the puppy while they are chewing on this cloth so that they don’t ingest any sections of it.

A few other things to remember

Teething is a painful process for the puppies and can cause just as much inconvenience to the owners. Your puppy may lose their appetite and may experience a lot of pain and discomfort. But it is essential to get them through it all while also maintaining their diet. You can consult your vet for any major decisions or choices you make for your puppy during this time - the choice of toys, food, and other soothing methods. You will also have to keep constant vigilance to prevent your little companion from chewing on anything that may harm them, like shoes or the couch. These six months of the teething period may be hard, but you will certainly enjoy seeing them grow through this phase.

FAQs on teething puppies

  1. How long does teething in puppies last?
  2. The teething process for puppies may last for about six months.

  3. How can I help my puppy with teething?
  4. There are several ways through which you can help your puppies with the process of teething. Firstly, you can get safe chew toys for them. Secondly, you can help them get through the appetite loss. For this, you can prepare suitable teething puppy food by mixing regular dry food with parts of canned food. You can also soak their dry food in warm water for a few minutes. Apart from these steps, you can give your little furry friend a chilled clean and damp washcloth to chew on.

  5. What are the symptoms of a teething puppy?
  6. When your puppy is teething, you may see the following symptoms: drooling, bad breath, gum inflammation, gums bleeding, increased chewing tendency, missing teeth, and a loss of appetite.

  7. What to feed a teething puppy?
  8. Teething is painful for puppies and can cause them a lot of discomfort. Due to this, they may not feel like eating and can get even more reluctant to eat dry food. You can try giving them a mixture of their regular dry food with canned food or soaking their dry food for a few minutes before serving.

  9. What can I give my puppy for teething pain?
  10. Two things that can soothe your puppy’s teething pain and discomfort are chew toys and a chilled clean and damp washcloth.

  • How To Brush & Clean Your Dogs' Teeth? - IAMS™ Singapore
    How To Brush & Clean Your Dogs' Teeth? - IAMS™ Singapore

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    How To Brush Your Dogs’ Teeth: Tips on Dog Dental Care!

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    We all want the best for our pets, and maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial to their overall health and wellbeing. This means keeping your dog’s teeth clean regularly and taking it for annual dental check-ups as well. Without proper oral care, your dog can develop dental diseases like plaque buildups, gingivitis, and tartar, which can have serious consequences, leading to tooth loss and other infections in your dog’s body.

    Taking proper care of your dog’s teeth and feeding nutritious food will reduce their risk of developing oral illnesses in the future. Besides, brushing your dog's teeth can be a great bonding experience for you, and your dog may slowly come to love the activity.

     

     

    Why is your dog’s dental care important?

    As a dog parent, you would want your dog’s mouth to be fresh and healthy. Here are 5 reasons why your dog’s dental care is important for its overall health. 

     

    Preventing dental discomfort

    Dental pain can be extremely unpleasant for dogs, especially when it is severe. This can be avoided by keeping your dog's gums and teeth healthy.

     

    Preventing teeth loss

    When the bones that support your dog’s teeth get infected or damaged, they may weaken and fall out. Providing good dog oral care will ensure that your dog oral care remain healthy. 

     

    Preventing organ failure

    Bacteria residing in the plaque can enter your dog’s bloodstream and travel to the kidneys, heart, and liver. This spread of germs can harm its organs and make your dog sick. It is here that good oral hygiene will prevent bacteria and associated organ damage in your dog.

     

    Preventing mouth odor

    If the smell of your dog’s breath makes you gag, then know that your dog needs a dental cleaning session. But when your dog has healthy teeth and mouth, bad breath will not be an issue.

     

    Preventing growing dental illness

    Since many dogs develop dental disease by the age of three, preventing it might be tough. But good dog dental care can prevent oral diseases from escalating to the point where it causes problems throughout its body.

    Dogs need regular oral care just like you do; gum disease and broken teeth are the major concerns. Fortunately, pets seldom suffer from tooth decay. Their cone-shaped teeth, non-acidic saliva, and low-sugar diets all help protect them from this nasty ailment. Regular brushing and professional teeth cleaning can keep your dog’s teeth clean, healthy, and gleaming. Giving your pet appropriate toys to chew is known to prevent fractures.

    Note: If you give your pets sweets for snacks, they can get cavities.

     

    How to brush your dog’s teeth?

     

    Choose a quiet time to brush your dog’s teeth 

    It should just be you and your dog, with no other children or pets in the house.

     

    Buy a toothpaste for your dog

    Dog toothbrushes can be easily found in pet stores or on the internet. But remember to use only dog-specific toothpaste while brushing your dog’s teeth. 

     

    Choose a good spot for brushing its teeth

    Make sure you are in a well-lit area so you can see what you're doing when brushing your dog's teeth and that your dog is comfortable.

     

    Introduce toothpaste to your dog

    Begin by displaying the toothpaste to your dog and allowing them to lick it off your finger.

     

    Then start brushing its top teeth

    Hold its upper lip up and brush the top front teeth. 

     

    Move to brush its bottom teeth

    Brush the bottom teeth while holding the bottom lip down. Begin with the front teeth, and then work your way to the side and back.

     

    Brush the sides and back 

    If your dog is sitting still while you’re brushing its teeth, you can brush both the interior and outside of its teeth at the same time. Brushing the insides of the teeth is a little more difficult, so add this step after your dog is calm and after the outsides of its upper and lower teeth have been brushed.

     

    Finally, reward your dog 

    Brushing your dog’s teeth may be an odd experience. Thus, praise your dog constantly to make this a happy experience. Although it may seem unusual to offer treats when you’re brushing your dog’s teeth. But the primary goal should be to teach the skill, and then you may focus on removing food from the equation later.

     

     

    Start care young

    When your puppy first begins to get permanent teeth, check if the baby tooth has come out for the new tooth grow. Retained teeth can cause the permanent teeth to be crooked. Toy dog breeds, with their tiny jaws, are more prone to such dental problems.

    While hard foods and chew toys can help keep teeth clean, you need to get your pet used to a regular tooth brushing. As soon as you bring your new pet home, get it accustomed to having its mouth handled. It is also good training—it teaches the dog to tolerate having things in his mouth without biting or snapping.

     

     

    Feeding right

    What your dog eats affects its 'smile.' Dry foods and treats help clean plaque from its teeth. Rawhide chews are also good cleaning tools, as are some of the knobby plastic toys on the market. None of these are hard enough to cause tooth damage, however monitor your dog to be sure that it doesn’t swallow small pieces of these toys. Real bones can also be dangerous for your pet and should not be used for tooth-cleaning purposes.

    All dry adult IAMS™ Dog Foods, include Daily Dental Care, a special kibble coating that helps reduce tartar buildup for better oral health. So, along with providing balanced nutrition, our range of dry dog food focuses on dental hygiene as well.

     

     

    Teaching your dog to accept brushing

    It just takes a little time and patience. Begin by running your finger gently over his gums. At first, just rub the outside, but as he adjusts to the routine, begin to open his mouth and rub the gums inside the teeth as well.

    As your dog gets accustomed to this, wrap your finger with gauze and rub his gums. Eventually, add a pet toothpaste; do not use human toothpaste. After a few weeks, your dog should be willing to accept a toothbrush for pets, which should have soft, multi-tufted synthetic bristles.

    Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and apply it to the area where teeth and gums meet. Rotate it in small circles, overlapping several teeth. Finish with vertical strokes to pull plaque from between the teeth. Repeat until all the teeth on the cheek side are clean. The inside teeth will be more difficult, as your dog may resist opening its mouth, but eventually you will be able to brush the inside and outside surfaces of all the teeth. For effective cleaning, brush your dog's teeth a couple of times a week.

     

     

    How to pick the right toothpaste for your dog?

    If you want to keep your dog's teeth clean but are worried about the cleaning process, then you are not alone. You need to pick a toothpaste advised by your vet as they are usually clinically tested abd approved. But most importantly, refrain from using human toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth. It’s because human toothpaste contains fluoride, which is highly toxic to dogs.
     

    How to protect and keep your dog’s teeth clean?

     

    By using dog wipes

    Dental wipes for dogs are designed to be wiped against your dog's teeth to eliminate plaque. They work in a similar way to toothbrushes and are an excellent way to keep your pet's teeth clean. They're generally more convenient to use than a toothbrush and toothpaste.

     

    By brushing dog’s teeth

    Brushing your dog's teeth may seem goofy, but it's a great method to keep plaque from forming. Unlike humans, dogs do not require daily brushing. Your dog might not enjoy having its teeth brushed at first but making it a habit will help. Brushing should be done using a dog toothbrush or a fingertip toothbrush. You'll also require dog toothpaste. Consult your vet for advice, and then decide what you and your dog prefer.

     

    By using chew toys

    Dog chews come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and most of them contain teeth-cleaning characteristics. Chewing is a natural way for your dog to clean its teeth and is beneficial to its dental health. Frequent chewing prevents your dog’s teeth from decaying and helps clean its teeth. Cow ears, chicken strips, and bully sticks are excellent chews for keeping your dog healthy and happy.

     

    By giving dog dental treats

    Dogs adore treats, and dental treats are an excellent way to improve your dog's oral care and hygiene. These treats are designed to eliminate plaque buildup and typically include chemicals that help to get rid of your dog's breath and clean its mouth. They are considerably more liked by dogs than a toothbrush or tooth wipes, and they keep dogs' mouths clean. These treats are available in a wide range of tastes, forms, and sizes, so you are sure to find something your dog will enjoy.

     

    By going for routine cleanings

    Having your dog's teeth professionally cleaned by a veterinarian is probably the smartest way to ensure its dental health. Your veterinarian will be able to determine what is best for your dog's teeth by addressing any problems that even the most devoted dog owner might overlook.

     

    Frequently asked question on How To Brush Your Dogs’ Teeth: Tips on Dog Dental Care!

     

    How should I take care of my dog's teeth?

    You can take care of your dog’s teeth in the following ways: 

    • Brush your dog’s teeth by using a dog-safe toothpaste and toothbrush 
    • Give your dog chew toys to gnaw on
    • Frequently spritz dog dental sprays 
    • Visit the vet for regular dental cleaning

     

    Do dogs really need their teeth cleaned?

    Yes! Even dogs develop plaque and tartar on their teeth which is caused by lingering food particles and bacteria. The bacteria then spreads to their gums and cause serious inflammation resulting in gingivitis, or worse, teeth loss. 

     

    How can I remove plaque off my dog's teeth at home?

    Regularly brushing your dog's teeth using a dog toothbrush and a dog-safe toothpaste is the best way to eliminate plaque. You can also remove tartar from your dog's teeth with a finger brushing. But it may take a lot of training for your dog to tolerate using a finger toothbrush at first.

     

    How to remove tartar from your dog's teeth?

    Giving your dog a Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approved dental food that reduces plaque and tartar accumulation through mechanical or chemical ways will help reduce plaque buildup. Tartar formation is considerably slowed by minimising plaque formation. Brushing or wiping your dog's teeth on a daily basis is recommended.

     

    Can you use mouthwash for dogs?

    Yes, you can, but you must use a dog-safe mouthwash. It will help to keep bacteria at bay and decrease plaque when used carefully and diluted in your dog's water bowl.

     

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