Looking inside of your cute little puppy’s mouth is the best way to approximate your puppy’s age; like human babies, newborn pups are born toothless to facilitate nursing. Over time, a puppy develops a temporary set of “baby teeth” that are called deciduous teeth – in fact, your puppy may even exhibit signs of teething, just like a growing baby does!
Your pup’s baby teeth will grow in by 30 days of age – therefore, if your pup has no teeth, you will know that he or she is at no more than a month in age. By 90 days of age to 150 days in age, your pup’s first teeth should be replaced by the teeth that he or she will use for the rest of his or her days.
If you see teeth growing in, or spot a full set of healthy new puppy teeth, your canine pal is more than 30 days old. To tell deciduous teeth from permanent adult canine teeth (this will help you to figure out how old Fido is), look at the shape of teeth – are they tiny and quite pointed? If so, they are likely deciduous or “baby” teeth. If teeth look larger and more blunt in shape, your puppy is probably three to five months in age, or even older. As you can see, looking at Fido’s chompers (or lack thereof) is a wonderful way to piece together the mystery of your young dog’s true age.
If you’re still confused about how old your puppy is, try to trace his or her background by contacting the person who sold or gave your pup to you. Breeders, animal shelters, and private sellers of puppies may have plenty of information about when your little dog was born. These people and institutions may also provide you with valuable advice about your dog’s breed, family background, and medical history. If you can, touch base with a seller or shelter and ask a few questions about your dog.
It does help a lot to know a puppy’s actual age, since this number may affect vaccination schedules at the vet, spaying/neutering, feeding plans, and your own ability to understand how a typical puppy develops in the first weeks and months of life. However, if you can’t quite manage to figure out your young dog’s chronological age, don’t despair – a trained and licensed veterinarian will undoubtedly have the expertise needed to “guess Fido’s age”.
Other clues that may assist you in pinpointing your puppy’s age include stains on his her teeth – these sorts of unsightly discolorations are not common among very young puppies, as they take time to develop. As well, signs of gum disease, tartar accumulation, or cavities will likely indicate that a puppy has been around for a while. You can ameliorate your puppy’s oral care routine by offering dog treats and puppy chows that support the health of your dog’s mouth and teeth, while also reducing instances of “puppy breath”.
Every breed of dog is different, so development based only on the chronological age of your dog is not an exact science. However, when it comes to deciduous teeth and adult canine teeth, most dogs will meet developmental schedules. It’s fun to learn more about puppy development, so educate yourself by taking out books from the public library, browsing resources online, or talking to a dog lover or licensed vet.
Once you know your little pet’s real age, it will be easier for you understand everything else about him or her; however, every pet owner should remember that young canine pets have emotions and personalities (and behaviours) that vary widely from pup to pup. Expect the unexpected and try to enjoy every second of the ride.
Puppyhood doesn’t last very long, but it’s an extremely important developmental period for your dog, in both physical and emotional senses. The way you care for your loyal pet during these crucial weeks and months will play a big role in how happy and stable your pup will be. Early training that is kind, yet firm, is highly recommended. As well, be certain that you protect your puppy from diseases by having him or her inoculated by a vet. If you don’t want your dog to breed, or you don’t want the hassle of dealing with a pet that is “in heat”, spaying or neutering is a great idea. These preventative procedures may also provide your dog with extra resistance to cancer and reproductive organ disorders.
Once you’ve found out all of the information you need to care for and understand your pup, and taken the appropriate preventative measures to protect his or her health, you are ready to just enjoy the experience of loving your little canine buddy. Owning a dog is so gratifying and special – it is a profound friendship that fills every owner and dog with joy and emotional solace.
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- Top Six Ways To Keep Your Puppy Healthy
