Teething puppies will feel soothed 'instantly' with simple towel trick

Taking care of a puppy is no easy task. You'll need to provide the correct training for your four-legged friend as it grows up to prevent it from developing behavioural issues as an adult dog, as well as ensuring it has access to the right foods to help it grow and the correct health and care from vets.

While puppies are adorable, they take a lot of work and can be a challenge - especially if you've never owned a dog before. You should, therefore, think carefully before you make the commitment to getting a puppy instead of an adult dog.

One thing many people don't think about when they adopt or buy a puppy is teething. Much like human children, puppies initially grow baby teeth at around three to six weeks old, which is before they are separated from their mother to be sent to new homes.

Because your puppy already has teeth when you bring them home, you might think they're here to stay. But at around three months old, your puppy will begin losing their baby teeth and grow in adult ones - which is when the real teething challenge begins.

Puppies usually get their full set of adult teeth by the time they're six months old, but during that time, they'll want to bite and chew on just about anything they can get their mouth around. And what's more, this chewing behaviour can continue until they're over a year old as they get used to their new teeth.

This can wreak havoc on your furniture if you're not prepared with tools to keep your puppy occupied. But thankfully, one woman on TikTok has shared an easy solution that "instantly" stopped her puppy from chewing on her table legs.

The woman said people in the comments of her videos told her to try putting a towel in the freezer until it's frozen solid, and then give it to her puppy. And when she tried it out, her adorable pooch was immediately soothed.

The clip shows the puppy walking around with the towel in its mouth, tail wagging happily as it enjoys the soothing sensation of the cold towel against its gums.

Commenters on that video then offered further tips for other frozen treats to try, including frozen cucumbers, carrots, and banana chunks. Others were just thankful for the towel trick, as they were also going through the teething stage with their puppies.

One person said: "My pup had a horrible time teething. The frozen washcloth definitely made her more comfortable!" Another added: "This is a great idea! I want to give my puppy ice cubes to play with, but I'm worried, as someone said they can choke on them! So this is the perfect option to help her little mouth."

How to help soothe a teething puppy

1. Keep your puppy active and busy

According to PetPlan, sometimes chewing can be caused by boredom rather than teething. To avoid this, ensure your puppy has plenty of mental and physical stimulation every day. This can include short walks, training sessions, and fun games like fetch.

2. Use teething toys

Much like human children, puppies also find relief in teething toys that they can bite down on as their new teeth come in. Some of these toys have textured areas that are designed to massage their gums, while others can be placed in the freezer to offer a cooling sensation. Offering your dog a wide selection of toys also means they're less likely to get bored.

3. Offer a cold treat

PetPlan recommends giving your puppy a frozen carrot to chew on, as this can help to ease their sore teeth and gums, as well as improve their dental health.

4. Speak to your vet

Teething is a normal part of the developmental process for puppies, but if you're worried your dog might be suffering beyond ordinary discomfort, it's always best to speak to your vet. They'll be able to assess your dog and advise if there are any other steps you can take to help the process.