I suspect my puppy is teething because he is chewing on everything in sight. How long does it take for a puppy to change to his new teeth and what can I do to help him with teething pains?

Much like human infants, puppies go through a stage when they lose their baby teeth and experience pain as adult teeth come in. Between four to eight months, puppies shed all their deciduous teeth and grow a new set of permanent teeth. This is usually accompanied by an intensified chewing phase. Signs of teething may include swollen, inflamed or bleeding gums - and teeth marks on your furniture and other household items. Chewing can assuage the discomfort that comes with teething but can be a difficult period if you're the object being chewed. Try substituting a toy or chew bone when the puppy tries to chew on fingers or toes. Invest in a variety of chew toys appropriate to the size and chewing preferences of your dog, making sure to alternate them to keep your pup's interest high. Some owners have been successful in giving puppies ice cubes (putting broth in ice cube trays and freezing it may entice your puppy to chew them), special dog toys that can be frozen or cold, wet washcloths. All of these might help numb the teething pain. Although puppies need to chew on things, gentle guidance can teach your puppy to restrict chewing to appropriate objects, like his or her own toys.

Some useful tips: Try to "dog-proof" your home. Put valuable objects away until you're confident that your dog's chewing behavior is restricted to appropriate items. Keep shoes and clothing in a closed closest, dirty laundry in a hamper and books on shelves. Make it easy for your dog to access his or her chewing toys but not your belongings. Pay attention to the types of toys that keep your puppy chewing for long periods and continue to offer those. It's ideal to introduce something new or rotate your dog's chew toys every couple of days so that he or she doesn't get bored. However, don't be tempted to give him cooked bones, like leftover T-bones or chicken bones, as these can splinter and can seriously harm. Also keep in mind that some intense chewers may be able to chip small pieces off of natural bones or chip their own teeth while chewing. If you have concerns about what's safe to give your dog, speak with your veterinarian.

Need advice from METRO's pet expert? E-mail your questions to metrobeijing@chinadaily.com.cn. Answers supplied by the International Center for Veterinary Services in Chaoyang district, 8456-1939, ICVSASIA.com.

(China Daily 05/03/2011)