Puppies of the first year of life are often compared with young children. This is not strange, because they require no less attention and care. One of the most important points that interests many inexperienced dog breeders is the change of teeth in puppies. After reading this article, you will learn about what you need to pay special attention to during this period.
In what order and how many months do puppies change teeth?
This completely natural process is not at all chaotic. Nature provides for a certain schedule, in accordance with which the puppy erupts certain teeth. Most breeds, with the exception of the Yorkshire Terrier, already have a complete set of milk teeth by the age of one month (14 in each jaw). Usually the fangs appear first, followed by the incisors, and only then the indigenous ones. If you deviate from this schedule, it is advisable to show the dog to an experienced veterinarian.
As for age, the change of teeth in German shepherd puppies and most other breeds usually occurs after the dog is four months old. In small animals, this process often falls at six months of age. The duration of this period, as a rule, is about 60 days, and upon completion of the dog 42 molars appear . Moreover, their teething is very different from the appearance of milk teeth. In this case, the incisors begin to change first, followed by the molars and premolars, and only then the fangs erupt.
What to feed the animal during this period?
In order for puppies to change teeth without any problems, it is necessary to provide them with a rational and well-balanced diet. It is important that at this time the dog receives a sufficient amount of calcium, fluorine, phosphorus and other minerals. An animal that changes teeth should have constant access to clean drinking water. It is she who is considered one of the best sources of fluoride, so necessary for the health of fangs. Among other things, protein food should be present in the puppy's diet. Qualified veterinarians recommend giving the dog special vitamin complexes at this time.
How to help your pet in this difficult period?
Any experienced breeder will confirm how difficult a tooth change is for puppies in a German shepherd. Symptoms of this process are no different from dogs of other breeds. As a rule, the animal becomes lethargic and even loses its appetite. Feeling unwell is explained by the inflammatory process that develops in the area of canine gums. During this period, it is extremely important to try to create favorable conditions to help the baby survive this difficult time. To alleviate the condition of the animal, it needs to be given beef bones and sinewy meat. Otherwise, your pet may have two rows of teeth at once.
Does this process depend on the breed of the dog?
Usually experienced breeders pay a lot of attention to how long and with what nuances a puppy changes teeth. As a result of lengthy observations, it was noticed that in almost all representatives of decorative and dwarf dogs, this process begins with a slight lag. From this we can conclude that the timing of a change in the dentition directly depends on the breed of the animal.
For greater clarity, we can deal with this issue in detail using the example of how teeth are changed in Chihuahua puppies. They have a small mass and belong to dwarf breeds. In small animals, there is often a delay in the eruption of permanent teeth. During this period, it is extremely important to ensure that the Chihuahua does not have two rows of incisors. In order to avoid possible dental problems, the dog must be shown to the vet in a timely manner.
In recent years, there has been a very steady trend towards an increase in cases of violations of the change of dentition and in representatives of large breeds, including Labradors, Rottweilers, boxers, Dobermans, East European and German shepherds. Most often, veterinarians have to deal with a temporary delay in tooth changes, in which the complete loss of primary teeth occurs only by the age of one.
What should every beginner breeder know?
Healthy teeth have a uniform, transparent and fairly strong surface, on which there is no plaque and other defects. Equally important is a regular inspection of the dog jaws. They should not have swelling. Unpleasant odors should not come from the mouth of a healthy animal, indicating the presence of pathogens that provoke tooth decay.
Having noticed any deviations from the norm, you need to take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible. A timely visit to a specialist will help to maintain the health of your dog and avoid many problems.