If you’re reading this blog, chances are you have a teething puppy at home. The puppy teething stage is a tricky one to navigate for a dog parent. Your teething puppy is probably all over the place and sinking his/her teeth into anything and everything. Well, treats are a great way to keep your teething puppy occupied and out of your belongings. With so many treats in the marketplace, the question that vets get asked by dog parents most is, “How do I choose safe and healthy dog treats for teething puppies?” Well, you’re in for a treat because we’re going to tell you all you need to know about puppy chew sticks and teething treats.
What to Expect with a Teething Puppy
Puppies start teething at around 3 weeks and stop teething at around 6 months once all their permanent set of teeth come in. Now, that’s a long period of time where your teething puppy is chewing and biting anything he/she can sink their teeth into. They’re doing so to relieve their pain. It’s the same reason why we give babies teething rings. The difference is that your teething puppy can’t cry to express his/her pain as babies do. So they redirect all their energy towards tangible things like shoes, furniture, anything with a hard surface that will feel good and relieve their discomfort.
Obviously, shoes and furniture are unsafe to chew because they can swallow small particles by accident and face serious health risks. The same goes for chew toys or teething toys. Chew toys or teething toys are made of plastic, rubber, and other toxic materials that easily give out. It’s fairly easy for your teething puppy to chew the toy into bits and pieces - even if it’s advertised as “non-destructible.” When he chews out the bits and pieces, there’s a high chance your pup is attracted to the small bits and pieces and will accidentally swallow them. When this happens, your pup again will face the risk of stomach issues and, in some cases, will need surgery. And as a dog parent, you will go through restless days and nights worrying about your sick pup and spending thousands of dollars on vet bills.
Benefits of Puppy Teething Treats
A better and safer way to relieve your teething puppies’ discomfort is with puppy teething treats. These treats are designed especially for teething puppies so they can be entertained for hours in a safe environment. The constant chewing against a hard surface will relieve their discomfort. And because they will be determined to finish the puppy teething treats, they will be directing all their energy towards this one treat. By the end, they will be tired out and fall into sound sleep - good news for you and your pup.
You see, puppy teething treats are not only beneficial for keeping your teething puppy occupied and out of your precious belongings. The right treats will also improve their overall health, including dental hygiene.
As we’ve said for other things, these puppy teething treats should still be administered and only be given under supervision just to be on the safe side.
Tips for Picking Safe Dog Treats for Teething Puppies:
Make sure the puppy teething treats are made from all-natural ingredients and are human-grade. Anything made with preservatives, chemicals, or additives will only worsen your pup’s health in the long run.
Look for puppy teething treats that are also puppy teeth cleaning treats so you can hit two birds with one stone. These treats will help get any gunk stuck to their teeth and gums, prevent plaque and tartar buildup, and freshen your little one’s breath.
Do not give your pup any oral medication, even if it is advertised for dogs. This includes holistic medication.
Do not give rawhides, ice cubes, bully sticks. Puppy teeth are extremely fragile, and biting into these hard surfaces can lead to broken teeth and swollen gums.
Instead, look for puppy teething treats made from cow and yak cheese because these will hold their shape but instantly melt in your puppy’s mouth once they start chewing.
Best Safe and Healthy Puppy Teething Treats
Hard Bars
We know what you’re thinking, “won’t hard chews lead to dental injuries?” There are actually quite a few misconceptions about hard chews. Not all hard chews are bad. It’s important to understand what they are made from. Hard chews like bully sticks, rawhides, etc. are unsafe - even the ones with peanut butter inside - because most are made from dried animal skins and indigestible ingredients.
Dogsee Chew, however, makes long-lasting hard chews from cow and yak cheese. These cheesy treats are smoke-dried for extra hardness and perfect texture. So when your teething puppy sinks his/her teeth in, the hard chew will hold its shape but instantly will melt in their mouth. Also, these are made with special enzymes that help prevent plaque and tartar buildup and keep your little one’s breath fresh.
Dogsee Chew even has Turmeric Hard Bars which are infused with turmeric. So in addition to keeping your pup entertained for hours and improving their dental hygiene, these puppy teeth cleaning treats also offer strong antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The curcumin and nutrients in turmeric help alleviate joint pain and improve your pup’s immunity.
Soft Dog Treats
When picking dog treats for teething puppies, you want to choose one that’s healthy and will aid your puppy’s nutrition. Even with a teething puppy, you have to keep up with routine puppy training and reward them throughout the day for their good behavior - leaving your puppy with a hard bar all day will not cut it.
Dogsee Chew’s Crunchies are made for exactly that. These soft chews are specifically made for small dogs and puppies. Their optimal size and crunchy texture makes for a healthy reward for your little one’s good behavior. These soft chews are also packed with nutrients like calcium and protein that help support a healthy skin and shiny coat. They also help prevent plaque and tartar buildup and freshen your little one’s breath so even during treat time, your puppy’s consuming rich nutrients that work to improve their health.
As you’ve probably understood by now, puppy treats, especially puppy teething treats, are essential during the teething stage. With the huge role they play during their early development, it’s vital to make sure that you pick safe dog treats for your teething puppy. Now that you know all there is to know about choosing safe and healthy puppy treats, here’s to an accident-free home and happy pup!
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