Why You Need Puppy Chewing Sticks
If your puppy is anywhere between 6 weeks and 6 months old, stocking up on puppy chewing sticks will not be your lifesaver but also your little ones. This critical time during their early development is usually when puppies start teething. Teething is when your puppy slowly starts losing his/her puppy teeth and when adult teeth start coming in. This is also the period where your puppy feels the most discomfort and pain. To ease their discomfort, they turn to their natural instinct to chew. They start chewing your hand, ankles, your furniture, and basically anything they can sink their teeth into. Obviously, these are unsafe which is why investing in puppy teething sticks is essential during early development.
Moreover, regardless of whether you are working from home or the office, it’s impossible to have your eyes on the puppy at all times and get all your work done. This is where puppy eating sticks come in handy. When you’re making lunch, doing laundry, cleaning, or busy with a zoom call, you can give your little one puppy eating sticks to keep them occupied and in one place where you can monitor them.
Health Benefits of Puppy Eating Sticks
Just as humans, puppies need proper dental care to maintain oral health. Veterinarians recommend that you brush your puppy’s teeth at least 3 times a week. This may sound excessive but brushing 3 times a week prevents plaque and tartar buildup.
Every time your puppy eats, food particles get stuck between their teeth. When these food particles mix with saliva, they start forming plaque. Plaque can be prevented and removed by regular brushing. When the plaque is left untreated, it can result in tartar buildup which will require professional assistance, and in some cases, may require administration of anesthesia. Severe tartar buildup can result in dental diseases which can then lead to other health risks.
Even if you get into a routine of brushing your puppy’s teeth 3x a week, there may still be plaque buildup. Because plaque can form within 24 hours of eating. The best way to avoid these oral problems is by giving your little one dental sticks specifically made for puppies. You see, puppy eating sticks provide many oral benefits including:
Improving Gum and Teeth Health: When your puppy chews on puppy dental sticks, the constant scraping of the teeth and gum against the hard surface helps remove any plaque and tartar buildup. After you brush your puppy’s teeth, give him/her puppy dental sticks to ensure there is no plaque and tartar buildup in between dental cleaning sessions.
Promoting Fresh Breath: It’s not unusual for puppy breath to smell slightly unpleasant. However, if they have bacteria buildup, or plaque and tartar buildup, their breath will often have a foul odor which can be a sign of dental disease. The first thing you should do is check with your vet to rule out any possibilities of dental diseases. If your puppy’s dental health is perfectly fine, puppy dental sticks can help reduce bad breath and freshen breath so you can enjoy the endless puppy smooches.
From 7 weeks of age through teething, rubber toys such as Kongs that can be filled with yogurt, peanut butter or soft dog food make excellent chew and teething treats. Fill the toy with food and freeze it. The frozen food helps soothe the puppys gums and chewing on the toy satisfies his need to chew. These treats take most puppies a long time to empty, which is an added benefit. Always supervise your puppy when he chews any treats, and never leave him alone to chew them.
Puppies even as young as 7 weeks old want to chew. Their puppy teeth begin to erupt at 3 weeks of age, and by 6 to 8 weeks, they have all their baby teeth. At 7 weeks old, puppies are still in the litter and learning to chew with their littermates. Safe chews made for puppies will entertain them and satisfy their chewing instinct.
By 3 months of age, your puppy will start to lose his baby teeth and you will find them around the house. At 7 weeks old, your puppy is still teething and eager to chew. He will pick up sticks, rocks and other items outside that he shouldnt chew. He requires constant supervision. Puppy-proof your house or keep puppies in an ex-pen so they cant reach things that could be dangerous for them. When puppies start to lose their baby teeth and the adult teeth begin to erupt, the need to chew intensifies. Stronger puppy chews can be offered at this stage, but continue to avoid chews that can break in the puppys mouth.
If youve put your hand in a puppys mouth, you know those little teeth are as sharp as needles. That doesnt mean they can chew hard bones, though. Puppy teeth are brittle and break easily. At 7 weeks old, a puppy is just weaned and learning to eat dog food. He needs his sharp little teeth to cut through puppy kibble. Dont allow a young puppy to chew on hard bones or chews made for adult dogs that could break a tooth. The rule of thumb is that the chew should not be harder than the tooth.
A dogs need to chew is instinctive and if you dont provide safe chews, puppies will chew whatever they find — from your computer cord to chair legs. Provide inedible chews made for puppies less than 3 months old. Chews should not have pieces that can break off easily. These can pose a choking hazard to young puppies or cause intestinal obstruction if swallowed. Soft, rubber toys or bones that the puppy can chew and squeak will entertain him and satisfy his urge to chew.
11 Reasons Why Dogs Love Chewing On Sticks
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Beth Turner is a veterinarian with over 20 years of experience. She graduated from North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine and following graduation, she began her career as an associate veterinarian and worked closely with the local shelter.
In 2007 she accomplished her dream of practice ownership, designing and building her own clinic. Another meaningful role, while running her clinic, was serving as her countys shelter veterinarian. This gave her the opportunity to help improve the lives of many animals in her community as well as work with the rescue she loved. She sold her practice in 2019 to move across the country.
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