Shih Tzu Puppy Teething Guide
Teething is a normal developmental stage, but a Shih Tzu puppy’s small mouth deserves careful monitoring. Baby teeth loosen as adult teeth emerge, chewing increases, and the puppy may seek relief on furniture, hands, clothing, cords, or unsafe household objects. The owner’s job is to provide safer options while watching for pain, injury, and retained baby teeth.
Teething should not be treated as permission for painful biting, nor should every mouth problem be dismissed as teething. Swelling, foul odor, persistent bleeding, refusal to eat, facial pain, or two teeth occupying the same position should be discussed with a veterinarian.
What Changes During Teething
Puppies begin with a set of small deciduous teeth. As adult teeth develop, roots of the baby teeth are resorbed and the teeth loosen. Owners may find a tiny tooth, but many are swallowed without causing a problem. Mild gum tenderness and increased chewing are common.
The exact timing varies. Development should be viewed as a range rather than a deadline. Small dogs are more likely than some larger breeds to retain baby teeth, especially the canine teeth, so mouth checks and veterinary examinations are important.
Choose Chews by Texture and Risk
- Soft rubber toys
- Useful for supervised chewing when sized so the puppy cannot swallow them.
- Chilled puppy-safe toys
- Can soothe gums without the hardness of frozen bones or ice.
- Edible chews
- Require close supervision, appropriate sizing, and attention to calories and stomach tolerance.
- Fabric toys
- May be comforting but should be removed if seams open or stuffing becomes accessible.
- Very hard objects
- Antlers, hard bones, and similarly rigid items can fracture teeth and are poor choices for a teething puppy.
Redirect Biting Without Creating Fear
Keep suitable toys within reach in the rooms where the puppy spends time. When teeth contact skin or clothing, become still, redirect to a toy, and briefly pause interaction if the puppy continues. Resume calm play when the puppy can engage appropriately.
Hard biting often increases when a puppy is overtired, overstimulated, hungry, or in need of a toilet trip. Addressing the underlying need is more effective than repeatedly correcting the mouth. Avoid hitting, holding the muzzle shut, or forcing fingers into the mouth.
Common Teething Changes
- More frequent chewing
- Mild gum tenderness
- Occasional small spots of blood on a toy
- Temporary preference for softer food texture
- Short periods of irritability
Reasons to Call the Veterinarian
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Marked swelling or facial asymmetry
- Persistent bleeding
- Foul odor with pain
- Broken teeth or visible injury
- Adult and baby teeth crowded together
Protect the Home During Peak Chewing
Use gates, pens, and direct supervision to prevent access to electrical cords, medication, shoes, children’s toys, batteries, string, and objects small enough to swallow. Management is not a substitute for training; it prevents the puppy from rehearsing dangerous chewing while learning better choices.
Rotate a few safe toys rather than placing every item out at once. Novelty can increase interest, and rotation makes it easier to notice wear or damage.
Watch for Retained Baby Teeth
A retained tooth remains in place after the adult tooth erupts. Crowding can trap food, alter the bite, and increase periodontal disease. Do not attempt to pull the tooth at home. Ask the veterinarian to inspect the mouth during puppy visits and around the time of spay or neuter discussions.
Because Shih Tzus may naturally have an underbite, owners should not assume that every unusual tooth position is harmless. Comfort, gum contact, crowding, and the ability to eat normally matter more than appearance alone.
Teething-Safety Checklist
- Offer several puppy-safe chew textures.
- Discard toys with loose pieces or damaged seams.
- Prevent access to cords, batteries, string, and small objects.
- Redirect skin and clothing biting calmly.
- Protect naps to reduce overtired mouthing.
- Ask the veterinarian to check for retained teeth.
Teething Questions
Can I give ice cubes for sore gums?
Very hard frozen objects can be uncomfortable or damage teeth. A chilled puppy-safe toy is generally easier to control and supervise.
Should I soften the puppy’s food?
Some puppies temporarily prefer softer texture. Sudden refusal to eat, weight loss, or obvious pain should not be managed only by changing texture.
Is all puppy biting caused by teething?
No. Play, fatigue, frustration, attention seeking, and lack of bite inhibition also contribute. The response should include rest, management, and training.