Anyone who has raised a puppy knows that the teething period is intense. Unlike human babies, dogs grow their “baby teeth” very early on, sometimes within weeks of being born. “Baby teeth usually come in long before we meet our pet dogs,” explains veterinary dentist MJ Redman. When a puppy is “teething,” its baby teeth are falling out and its adult teeth are coming in, and this all happens within a roughly two-month period between 4 and 6 months of age. “Most adult dogs have 42 teeth, and they all come in within those two months,” says Redman. “That’s a lot of activity, and it makes them want to chew on everything.” It is important to be especially mindful of your dog’s behavior during this time because naturally curious puppies are still learning what they can and cannot eat which can get them into trouble. “The best thing is to have lots of things that are appropriate for them to chew on and keep them busy,” says Redman.
So what are the best treats and toys for teething puppies? To find out, we spoke to four people who know a lot about dogs: Redman, Annie Grossman of School For The Dogs training center, Anthony Newman of Calm Energy Dog Training, and Randy Klein of Whiskers Holistic Pet Care. They gave us plenty of recommendations, but Redman also stressed that patience is more important than any product: “Realize that it’s just a stage and they go through it fairly quickly. Sometimes puppies will backslide a little on their training and housebreaking during this period, and that’s to be expected.”
Best toy for giving teething puppies a treat
Rubber | Made in the USA | Available in 4 sizes from XS to L
Redman likes the classic rubber Kong toy for many situations, and this teething-specific model is made from slightly softer rubber that’s safe for puppies. Put peanut butter or a favorite treat inside and watch them lick or try to get the treats to pop out for an hour or more. You can even throw it in the freezer to help soothe your puppy’s gums or for a longer-lasting treat (an especially handy trick to keep them from barking during Zoom meetings). It’s also just as fun for your puppy to play with and chew on when it’s empty.
Fiber and fun? We’re loving this one! All you need for this toy is some rope and a sweet potato and you’re good to go. Clean the sweet potato thoroughly and then cut it into 1-inch round pieces. Use a cookie cutter, a knife, or an apple corer to remove the middle of each round and then dehydrate by baking in the oven at 100 degrees celsius for around five hours.
If you’ve already got a few puppy toys lying around, chances are that one of them might be a Kong. The rubber design and hollow inner of the Kong make it an ideal option for when your fur baby is teething, but instead of giving them the toy on its own, why not make it more fun?
With all those teeth pushing through their gums, most puppies find the teething process to be highly uncomfortable and they’ll look for anything to chew as a way of relieving the pain they’re experiencing. Not only can specifically designed puppy toys help relieve discomfort, but they’ll also ensure your pup doesn’t turn to your furniture or shoes!
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You can also make ice-pops using a low-sodium bone broth that you’ve made at home, so play around and see which one your pup prefers.
Organ Meat Is Good For Dogs
Of course you could make these vegetarian. But why? Small amounts of organ meat is good for dogs! Liver, for example, has Vitamin A, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorus, protein, B vitamins, and Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids—all of which are excellent for your dog! Chicken gizzards have protein, iron, minerals, vitamins C, E, and B, and they contain glucosamine which helps with arthritis problems. Your dog will love organ meats and get healthier in the process.
It is important to remember that organ meat should be fed in moderation. Too much liver is harmful to both dogs and humans, and you can actually cause an overdose of Vitamin A. The general feeding guideline for feeding liver is as follows:
I feed all organ meats in moderation and plump my cubes mostly with sweet potatoes, organic eggs, and/or carrots. Each of my frozen liver cubes contains only a small amount of liver, so the above guideline can be increased. Use your own judgment here based on the size of your dog and the amount of liver used.
A word on organic: it is pretty important to at least consider buying organic organ meats. The organs, particularly the liver, process harmful toxins from the body. Do your dog a favor and make sure there are no hormones or antibiotics in his organ meat.
Carrot and Liver discs and cubes.
Sweet Potato and Chicken Liver Cubes shown here in two different shapes using ice cube trays and popsicle trays.
FAQ
Are frozen treats good for teething puppies?
What can I freeze for puppy teething?
- Offer frozen mini bagels, plain or fruit variety, not onion. …
- Cold carrots, while offering vitamins and minerals, may help relieve discomfort. …
- Frozen fruit, such as strawberries or bits of banana. …
- Wet a dishrag or towel, twist it into a rope-like shape and freeze.
Can puppies have frozen treats?