Do puppies get upset stomachs when teething?

When we happily welcome a puppy into our lives, its cute appearance and lively behavior always melt our hearts instantly. But as the puppy grows up, we will find that it has entered a special stage - the teething period. During this period, puppies will have phenomena such as chewing furniture and drooling more. Many careful owners will also notice that puppies seem to have stomach upset. So do puppies really have stomach upset when teething? What are the reasons and stories behind this? ​

The teething period of puppies usually begins when they are 3 to 6 months old. This is a key physiological stage in their growth process. Just like human children changing teeth, the deciduous teeth of puppies will gradually loosen and fall off, and permanent teeth will begin to erupt. During this process, the puppy's mouth will undergo a series of changes, and the gums will become sensitive and itchy. This is why they frequently chew various objects to relieve oral discomfort by chewing.​

When we delve into the relationship between puppies' teeth replacement and gastrointestinal discomfort, we find that there are some close connections. First, during the teeth replacement period, puppies may chew things more frequently due to gum discomfort, and they are often not as selective as usual. Whether it is hard table and chair legs, soft sofa cushions, or various toys, they may become the objects of their chewing. In this process, some foreign objects may be eaten by puppies. For example, when they chew toys, they may accidentally bite off a piece of plastic and swallow it into their stomachs; when they chew paper, they may also eat paper into their stomachs. After these foreign objects enter the stomach and intestines, they can easily cause gastrointestinal stress response, leading to abnormal gastrointestinal peristalsis, resulting in symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort such as indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea. ​

In addition, the eating habits of puppies during the teeth replacement period will also change. They may reduce the intake of normal food due to oral discomfort, but become interested in some strange objects. At the same time, in order to relieve gum discomfort, puppies may chew a lot of cold things such as ice cubes and cold drinks. After these overly cold foods enter the stomach and intestines, they will irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, affect the normal digestive function of the stomach and intestines, and then cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Moreover, the immune system of puppies in the teething period is gradually improving. At this stage, their stomachs are relatively fragile and have weak resistance to various stimuli. Even some slight dietary changes or foreign body stimulation may cause gastrointestinal problems. ​​

So, what should we do when puppies have gastrointestinal discomfort during the teething period? First of all, we should closely observe the symptoms of the puppies. If it is only mild indigestion, such as occasional vomiting, the vomitus is undigested food, and the puppy's mental state is still good, we can try to adjust its diet first. Feed it some easily digestible food, such as soft rice porridge, and add some minced chicken to it, which can not only supplement nutrition, but also be easy to digest and absorb. At the same time, reduce the amount of food the puppy is fed, and adopt the method of eating small meals frequently, so that its stomach and intestines have enough time to recover.​

However, if the puppy frequently vomits and has diarrhea, the vomit contains blood or odor, the diarrhea stool is watery and abnormal in color, the spirit is low, and even fever occurs, this indicates that the situation is serious and it is necessary to take it to the veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian will determine the specific cause of the puppy's gastrointestinal discomfort through professional examinations, such as blood routine and fecal examinations, and then give corresponding treatment. Some drugs for regulating the stomach and intestines may be prescribed, or treatment may be given for foreign body stimulation, infection, etc. ​

During the teething period of puppies, it is also very important to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort. We need to provide puppies with suitable chewing toys. These toys should be safe in texture, moderate in hardness and softness, which can meet the needs of puppies to chew, and will not be chewed and eaten by them. At the same time, dangerous items in the home, such as detergents, medicines, sharp objects, etc., should be placed in places where puppies cannot reach to prevent them from accidentally eating them. In addition, pay attention to the diet management of puppies, ensure that their food is fresh and hygienic, and avoid feeding them too cold, too hard or indigestible food. You can give the puppy some vitamins and minerals to enhance its body resistance and help it go through the teething period smoothly. ​

Puppies are indeed prone to gastrointestinal discomfort during the teething period, which requires us as owners to pay more attention and care. By understanding the physiological characteristics and possible problems of puppies during the teething period, we can better cope with it and help them grow up healthily and happily. When we accompany the puppy through this special stage, watching it grow up gradually and have a healthy set of teeth, we will also gain a full sense of happiness and accomplishment. ​