Dealing with Husky teething is simply part of owning a puppy. It’s a tiring experience for both you and the Husky, so it’s better to understand as much as possible about what they are going through so that you can help them.
The Husky teething process typically takes around 8 months from start to finish, although some days will be worse than others. There are many things you can do to help your Husky through it, including providing them with plenty of chew toys and affection.
Keep reading for our complete guide on Husky teething. This includes a complete timeline of events, what to look out for, and how to comfort them through the experience. Let’s get started!
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When do Huskies start teething? Full teething timeline
Understanding the teething timeline of a typical Husky will help you to monitor them. Below is the general timeline for what you can expect to be happening in your Husky’s mouth as they grow.
- 2-3 Weeks old – Puppy (deciduous) teeth start to grow in.
- 6-8 Weeks old – All puppy teeth should be grown in.
- 3 Months old – Puppy teeth start to fall out to make room for adult teeth. The incisors are the first to fall out, which are the front teeth in both the upper and lower jaws.
- 4 Months old – Adult teeth start to grow in. The incisors are usually first, followed by the premolars (back teeth) and canines (sharp pointed teeth).
- 6 Months old – All puppy teeth should have fallen old. You may find some of them on the floor or stuck in toys, but most will have been swallowed by the Husky.
- 8 Months old – All 42 adult teeth should have grown in at this point.
Keep in mind that all Huskies are different and they may reach certain milestones at slightly different times. Teething is also not a continuous process, but rather it seems to happen in short bursts. This means it may seem like you Husky has finished teething long before they actually have!
How to tell if a Husky is teething
Teething is not a pleasant experience for a Husky puppy. As a result, you may notice their behaviour change during the process.
Below we’ve listed the most common signs that a Husky puppy has started teething. Being aware of these will help you to understand when the process has started so that you can help your Husky through it.
Nipping and biting more often than usual
Huskies, like all dogs, explore the world with their mouths. The occasional nip is to be expected from a Husky puppy, especially during playtime. If you notice that they starting to bite much more frequently, it’s usually a sign that their teeth are coming through.
The process of teething is very painful for a Husky puppy. A total of 42 adult teeth need to come through their gums (around 10 more than adult humans have!). This pain will cause a Husky puppy to bite, whether that’s to distract themselves from the pain or simply because they are grumpy.
Lack of interest in food
As previously mentioned, teething is a painful process. A Husky’s gums will be very sore and this might make your puppy more reluctant to eat. This is particularly true if your Husky is on a kibble-only diet.
Please note that your Husky puppy should not be completely put off of their food. If your Husky refuses to eat anything, consult a vet immediately.
Feel their gums and teeth
One way to tell if your Husky is teething is simply to have a feel of their gums. Gently raise your Husky puppy’s head and slowly feel inside their mouth and along their gums. Remember that their gums are likely to be sore, so don’t prod around too much!
You should be able to feel whether new teeth are starting to poke through the gum line. Remember that if you have any concerns, it is better to consult with a registered vet.
It’s a good idea to get your Husky puppy used to having you feel inside their mouth whilst they are still young so that issues do not occur in later life. If your Husky puppy is reluctant to let you near their mouth, try dipping your finger in chicken broth and allowing them to lick it off. Over time, this will desensitise them to the experience of having their mouth checked.
Drooling and bleeding
Whilst a Husky puppy is teething, it is normal for them to drool or bleed slightly. It shouldn’t be excessive – you’re most likely to notice little spots of blood on their toys after a chew session.
If your Husky puppy is drooling or bleeding excessively, or you notice anything else unusual, talk to your veterinarian. Both drooling and bleeding can be symptoms of more serious issues so it is worth getting the all-clear.
7 Tips to help a teething Husky
Teething is very uncomfortable for you Husky puppy. As their owner, it is your responsibility to help keep the process as stress-free for them as possible. Below are our top tips for keeping a teething Husky happy.
1. Make sure they have lots of toys to chew on
One of the best things you can do to help your teething Husky is to provide them with lots of toys to chew on. Your Husky is going to chew on something, whether there are toys there or not. It’s better to give them a chew-safe toy than to find them destroying your shoes!
We recommend providing toys with different textures. This will give your Husky the ability to choose the toy that’s best for their needs at that moment.
There are plenty of teething-specific chew toys on the market. The most common are rubber toys that can be put in the freezer, flavoured toys that encourage chewing, and softer toys for days when a puppy’s gums are particularly sore.
Make sure to monitor your Husky when they use their toys. These teething sessions can be very intense so you must regularly check that their toys are not falling apart and that they don’t pose a choking risk.
2. Try giving them ice cubes
Ice cubes are a great option for teething Huskies. The coldness of the ice cube will help to soothe their gums and reduce inflammation, but the crunchiness will give them something to chew on.
Ice cubes are also a great choice as they are easy to make and have zero calories – so you can give your Husky as many as needed until they are done teething!
If you find that they are not interested in ice cubes alone, try freezing small amounts of peanut butter, or another Husky-friendly food, inside of the water. Make sure to monitor their eating so that they don’t choke, and also keep an eye on how many they consume. Too much of a good thing can unfortunately upset their stomach!
3. Soften their food
As already discussed, your Husky puppy may be more reluctant to eat whilst they are teething. It can sometimes be helpful to soften their food so that less pressure is put on their sensitive gums.
If your Husky is on a dry food diet, try soaking their kibbles in water for 15 minutes before feeding time. This will soften them up and make them much easier to chew.
You may also want to try mixing in some wet food. Be careful not to change up their diet too much, though, as this may cause stomach upset.
4. Give them teething treats
Another option is to give your Husky puppy teething-specific treats. Teething treats are sometimes more appealing to a puppy than toys and can keep their attention for longer, helping them to get through the painful period.
If you do purchase teething treats, remember that quality is everything. High-quality treats should not break apart easily, should be made from healthy ingredients, and should not pose a choking risk. Teething treats should also not be given too often, as the extra calories can upset a Husky puppy’s stomach.
5. Give them lots of love and attention
This should go without saying but whilst your Husky is teething, give them lots of love and support. Although teething is a painful experience, it’s also a great opportunity to bond with your Husky.
Remember that any bad behaviour (such as biting or chewing furniture) is the result of them being in pain. Whilst it shouldn’t be ignored, a little extra patience with your Husky will go a long way.
Playing with your puppy and giving them lots of cuddles will help to distract them from the pain of teething, and also form a stronger friendship between you.
6. Avoid forming bad biting habits
The teething process happens during a crucial time in your Husky’s social development. As a result, it’s very easy for bad biting habits to form. When your Husky puppy bites or nips you, you must react appropriately to prevent it from becoming a learned behaviour.
You can train your Husky that biting you is wrong by shouting a loud, high-pitched “OUCH” if they bit you. Once they back off, give them verbal praise and a small training treat. If you find that your Husky puppy instead tries to bite you more, simply walk away without making any noise at all. This will give them time to calm down and recognise that biting won’t get a reaction from you.
It is also recommended that you teach your Husky puppy bite inhibition. This simply means redirecting their biting needs to a safe object, such as chew toys. If your Husky starts to nip at you during playtime, offer them one of their chew toys instead.
Trust us when we say that you don’t want your Husky to learn that biting you is okay! They may seem cute now as a puppy, but their sharp teeth will make an appearance and make biting much more painful.
7. Monitor their teething journey
Finally, you must keep track and monitor your Husky’s teething. Teething is a normal process but sometimes things can go wrong. Closely monitoring their process will allow you to detect anything unexpected and fix it before it becomes a problem.
You can also take your Husky puppy for a dental check-up at the vets. Huskies only get one set of adult teeth in their lifetime so it’s worth looking after them.
If you have any concerns or questions about your Husky’s teething journey, please contact your registered veterinarian.
Final thoughts
Teething is a difficult and lengthy process that all Huskies unfortunately must go through. With your help and knowledge, you can help your Husky to remain comfortable through it. Remember to give them lots of love and patience as their behaviour is sure to change.
