Puppies start to erupt between three and six months of age. They chew whatever they can around the house to relieve pain and discomfort from pressure on the gums. Puppies’ teething process can be facilitated by providing chew toys and simple aids like ice cubes.

Chew toys are made of hard rubber or plastic, but will not harm developing teeth or gums. These toys not only help during teething, but they also distract puppies from damaging household items like furniture and shoes during this stage. Toys given to them for this purpose should also be fun and invite puppies to play.

Kong chew toys are made from natural rubber and are a great option for puppies to relieve pressure on their gums. Running water over Kong Chilly Bones and placing it in the freezer provides soothing relief for sore gums. Nylabones are plastic dog chews in the shape of bones, fuzes, balls and sticks flavored with chicken, bacon or liver. Simple rope dog toys can be soaked in chicken or meat broth and frozen for a fun treat that also helps the teething process.

There are also puppy teething rings made from all natural materials that are easily digested. These products clean the teeth, massage the gums and even freshen the breath. Other hard rubber or plastic teething toys are available in various forms, just like they are for human babies, but they are much stronger for canine chewing.

Some easy home remedies to relieve swollen gum pain include making ice cubes or crushed ice with Aloe Vera juice. This substance is a natural anti-inflammatory and is found in health food stores. Ice can also be made with chicken or beef broth for a tasty but useful snack.

Owners can gently massage their puppy’s gums with a finger or a soft dog toothbrush dipped in cold or ice-cold water. This also teaches the animal to get used to having its teeth brushed for good oral hygiene.

Although human babies benefit from applying Anbesol or Orajel to the gums, this is not recommended for puppies. The ingredients in these and other similar products can cause severe allergic reactions leading to an emergency visit to the vet. Rawhide bones should also not be used as puppy chew toys as they are difficult to digest, especially on young stomachs.

The best way to facilitate the teething process for puppies is to give them specially designed chew toys to soothe this stage of pain and discomfort. It is better to give puppies only two or three toys to occupy rather than too many. Owners can then better control these toys and throw away those that are too destroyed before their precious pet chokes on any small parts.