Do Puppies Go Off Their Food When Teething?
Vet verified. Written by Corinne Homer, Copywriter. Reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon MVB MRCVS, Team Vet.
A teething puppy may hesitate over hard food, but appetite loss is never specific to teething. Check the whole puppy, not just the gums. Energy, hydration, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, growth and the duration of the change determine how quickly veterinary care is needed.
It's heart-warming to learn just how many of a dog's life stages mimic our own - and teething as a baby is no exception. Puppies start to grow milk teeth from the ages of three weeks to six months old, and lose them all as adult teeth start to come through. Just like with human babies, this is a new and uncomfortable sensation for the little pup, and they may even go off their food in the process.
Let's delve into puppy teething a little further, so that if your puppy doesn't seem as hungry all of a sudden, you can recognize it alongside the other signs of teething and rest assured that everything is happening as it should be.
Is it normal for puppies to go off their food when teething?
Teething can be painful, often causing a sore mouth and jaw and inflamed gums. For this reason, it's very common for puppies to stop eating as their teeth cut through, especially if they eat dry puppy food which becomes hard work to crunch. You might even see baby teeth around a puppy's feeding area and food left in the bowl - a sure fire sign that teething is putting your pup off their kibble.
Signs of puppy teething
If your puppy doesn't seem to want to eat, remember that they could be suffering from food poisoning or sickness. If you notice any of the following signs at the same time, however, you're probably dealing with teething:
Baby teeth falling out We're not sure if there's a dog tooth fairy, but there should be - as puppies lose all their milk teeth just like we do. You may even find a rogue puppy tooth discarded around their food bowl, or stuck in a chew toy they've been particularly engrossed in. This might seem weird, but it's a good sign!
Chewing and mouthing a lot Puppies are obsessed with chewing things when they're teething as it's comforting and reduces mouth pain. However, they also don't mind at all what they chew, which can cause havoc in your home, or even an injury. Having lots of puppy chew toys available should deter them from chewing spiky sticks which could hurt them, as well as clothing, the furniture and your limbs.
Drooling more We know that dogs are natural-born droolers, but during teething, your pup will dribble a lot more than usual. Wipe-cloths at the ready!
Whining and crying Very young puppies tend to cry a lot, but it usually settles down - that is until teething will have them whining and crying again.
Bleeding or swollen gums If you gently look in your pup's mouth when they're teething, you may see their gums are red and swollen. They may also leave a few drops of blood behind if they've been gnawing on fabric or clothing.
Not wanting to eat As we've covered, if your pup has strangely gone off their food, this is a common sign that their mouth and gums are sore from teething.
How long do puppies teethe for?
Puppies grow quickly - they will start teething as early as three weeks old, and have usually grown all their adult teeth by about six months. So you and your puppy will be going through the teething stage for around five to six months in total.
What to do when your teething puppy is not eating
If your puppy refuses to eat while they're teething, don't panic or berate them in any way. It's completely understandable that they don't want to bite down when their poor mouth is feeling so sensitive and sore - you'd be acting the same way!
What you can do is make the food more palatable for your pup - perhaps by adding a bit of warm water to their kibble to soften it, crushing it up into smaller pieces with a fork or rolling pin, or even mixing with a small amount of wet food.
Chat to your veterinarian for recommendations over what kind of food may be suitable for your puppy at this stage (we also have some suggestions below) - and don't completely switch your puppy's food, as this could result in stomach upset.
What to give a teething puppy
A teething puppy will try to ease their discomfort by chewing and mouthing on all kinds of things - including furniture, clothing, items around the house or even your hands or ankles. To discourage them from going to town on your sofa or table legs, you can offer more appropriate things for them to chew on.
Edible dog chews are also a great idea, such as dental dog treats. Not only will the chewing and meaty flavour distract your puppy from teething pain, but it will brush their teeth and freshen their breath, too.
Best food for teething puppies
It's normal for your pup to turn their nose up at food when they're teething. To get a teething puppy eating again, try the following food boosting tricks:
Dry puppy food softened with warm water
Take your usual recipe of healthy dry puppy food and add some warm water. This should soften the food making it easier to chew, and release those yummy meaty flavours and smells so your pup won't be able to resist.
Dry puppy food mixed with some wet puppy food
Another tip is to mix your usual puppy food with some wet food, again making it easier to swallow and much more palatable for your (temporarily) picky pup. Don't completely replace your puppy's food with wet food if they're not used to eating it, as this is likely to upset their tummy.
Dental chews for dogs
As mentioned, puppy teething treats such as a tasty dental chew for dogs is a great way to ease your pup's discomfort while releasing ingredients for good dental health.
Puppy food supplements
Follow the advice above, and before you know it, your teething pup will have a mouthful of grinning adult gnashers - and most certainly have their appetite back!
How to make a normal meal easier to eat
- Measure the puppy's usual complete-and-balanced food.
- Add warm, not hot, water and allow the kibble to soften.
- Use a shallow clean bowl in a quiet place.
- Offer the meal for the normal feeding window and record how much is eaten.
- Discard moistened leftovers promptly and wash the bowl.
A small amount of the puppy's usual wet food may improve texture when the veterinary team agrees, but avoid repeated toppers that unbalance the diet or teach the puppy to wait for constant upgrades. Change foods gradually unless the veterinarian gives different instructions. Fresh water should remain available.
When it may be more than teething
Call the veterinary team for persistent food refusal, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, marked lethargy, weakness, fever, facial swelling, foul breath, heavy bleeding, a broken tooth, a visible object, trouble swallowing, repeated pawing at the mouth, poor growth or pain when the mouth is touched. Emergency care is appropriate for collapse, breathing difficulty, choking or suspected toxin or foreign-body ingestion.
What normal tooth replacement looks like
Puppies have 28 deciduous teeth and develop up to 42 permanent teeth. Baby teeth usually begin to fall out at around 12 weeks, and the permanent set is commonly present by about six months. Owners often never find the lost teeth because puppies swallow them harmlessly. A small smear of blood on a toy can occur, but persistent bleeding is not a normal teething milestone.
Ask the veterinarian to check for retained baby teeth, crowding, an abnormal bite and fractured teeth during puppy visits. Two teeth occupying the same position, a tooth pressing into the palate or a painful discolored tooth needs professional assessment rather than waiting for the puppy to outgrow it.
Trusted veterinary guidance
VCA: teeth, teething and chewing in puppies and Merck Veterinary Manual: dental disorders of dogs.
Related Finch & Barker guides: how to help a teething puppy, puppy nipping versus teething, daily puppy schedule and the puppy hub.