Husky teething is an essential time for your pup’s development, but how long does it last, and how can you help them through it?
The Husky teething process typically takes around eight months from start to finish, although some days will be worse than others. You can do many things to help your Husky through it, including providing them with plenty of chew toys and affection.
Please keep reading for our complete guide on Husky teething. This includes an entire timeline of events, what to look out for, and how to comfort them through the experience. Let’s get started!
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Husky Teething Age & Timeline
Understanding a typical Husky’s teething timeline will help you monitor them.
Below is the general timeline for what you can expect to happen 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 your Husky will have swallowed most.
- 8 Months old – All 42 adult teeth should have grown in at this point.
Remember that all Huskies are different and may reach certain milestones at slightly different times.
Teething is not a continuous process; instead, it happens in short bursts. This means it may seem like your Husky has finished teething long before they have!
Common Husky Teething Symptoms
Teething is not a pleasant experience for a Husky puppy. As a result, you may notice their behavior change during the process.
Below are the most common signs that a Husky puppy has started teething. Knowing these will help you understand when the process has begun 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 start 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 ten more than adult humans have!).
This pain will cause a Husky puppy to bite, whether 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, which 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 put entirely off of their food. If your Husky refuses to eat anything, consult a vet immediately.
Drooling And Bleeding
While 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 blood spots 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.
Check Their Teeth And Gums If You Are Worried
One way to tell if your Husky is teething is to have a feel of their gums. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before doing this,
Gently raise your Husky puppy’s head and slowly feel inside their mouth and along their gums. Remember that their gums are likely 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 it is better to consult with a registered vet if you have any concerns.
It’s a good idea to get your Husky puppy used to having you feel inside their mouth while they are still young so that issues do not occur in later life. It will also make teeth cleaning much easier as they get older.
If your Husky puppy is reluctant to let you near their mouth, try dipping your finger in chicken broth and letting them lick it off.
Over time, this will desensitize them to the experience of having their mouth checked.
7 Tips To Help Teething Huskies
Teething is very uncomfortable for your Husky puppy.
As their owner, it is your responsibility to help keep the process as stress-free for them as possible.
The seven tips below will make this process much more manageable.
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 many toys to chew on.
Your Husky will 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 allow your Husky 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, flavored 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 don’t pose a choking risk.
2. Use Ice Cubes
Ice cubes are an excellent 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 the water.
Monitor their eating so that they don’t choke, and keep an eye on how much 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 while they are teething. It can sometimes be helpful to soften their food to put less pressure 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 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 longer, helping them get through the painful period.
If you do purchase teething treats, remember that quality is everything. High-quality treats should not break apart easily, be made from healthy ingredients, and 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 and cause them to put on unnecessary weight.
Check out our recommended treats for Huskies here.
5. Give Them Lots Of Love And Attention
This should go without saying, but while your Husky is teething, give them lots of love and support. Although teething is a painful experience, it’s also an excellent opportunity to bond with your Husky.
Remember that any bad behavior (such as biting or chewing furniture) results from them being in pain. While 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 and affection will help distract them from the pain of teething and 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 behavior.
You can train your Husky that biting you is wrong by shouting a loud, high-pitched “OUCH” if they bite 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, walk away without making any noise. This will give them time to calm down and recognize that biting won’t get a reaction from you.
It is also recommended that you teach your Husky puppy bite inhibition, where they learn to withhold their bite force.
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 of 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 vet’s. 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.
In Summary
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 behavior is sure to change.
You also need to be prepared for things to go wrong and pairs of shoes to be destroyed – it’s all part of the process!