Everything you Need to Know About Cocker Spaniel Teeth

Found yourself curious about how many teeth a Cocker Spaniel has?

Well, you are in the right place.

In this article, we will cover how many teeth your Cocker has and give you an in-depth guide to everything from their first teeth coming in and the adult ones taking over to keeping your dog's mouth clean and healthy ongoing.

Let's not delay any further and get stuck in!

How Many Teeth Does a Cocker Spaniels Have?

The first question you may have is how many teeth do they actually have?

A Cocker Spaniel has 42 teeth as an adult dog. Though when they are still puppies they only have 28. These teeth are like little needles though so they definitely make up for their quantity with their effectiveness.

Something that anyone who has been nipped by a puppy can attest to!

These are the same amounts of teeth you will see in most dog breeds. Not all dogs have 42 teeth as adults though. Sometimes a tooth could be trapped by gum tissue or bone and not come through.

You could also have a milk tooth not coming out impacting the adult teeth coming through. This is called a retained tooth but we will get on to this later.

A Cocker Spaniel's teeth are made up of four types of teeth each with their specific functions. They have molars and premolars at the back for grinding, canines for tearing, and incisors at the front for grabbing.

Are Cocker Spaniels Born with Teeth?

Thankfully for the mother, a Cocker Spaniel is not born with any teeth.

Baby teeth begin to appear when they are around three weeks old.

Incisors are the first to come in followed by the canines, and lastly the molars. At this point, your puppy has their first set of 28 teeth.

The process takes until around 6-8 weeks old. This means by the time you get your puppy from a breeder they will already have their baby teeth full in.

How Long do Cocker Spaniels Teeth For?

You Cocker will start teething as soon as those first incisors come in around week three and this will continue until their adult teeth are finished coming through. This whole process takes months and is usually finished by around the time they are six to eight months old.

During this period your Cocker Spaniel will chew everything. They are not trying to be destructive but only looking for a little relief from this uncomfortable situation.

Nothing is safe! My Cocker got relief from chewing a shoe, the sofa, skirting boards, a rug, and a tv remote while teething. And this is a common story among dog owners.

If your dog is going through this stage you may want to store anything particularly valuable out of sight for a while. They will get past this phase, it will just take a little time.

What Can you Do to Ease your Puppy's Teething Pain?

Nobody likes to watch their little puppy sit in pain trying to find relief while those adult teeth come through.

Luckily, there are many ways you can ease your puppy's pain.

Options include:

• Chew toys: Think durable ones like Kongs, Nylabones, or even rope toys. These are very durable.
• Frozen veg: Carrot or other vegetables can work well. As long as they are dog-safe.
• Teething rings: These toys are designed to soothe your pup's inflamed gums. For bonus points put this in the freezer too.

Any of these options are better than the alternative which is your pup damaging your home.

When Do Cocker Spaniels Lose their Puppy Teeth?

A puppy's baby teeth do not last long. They begin to lose these teeth around three months old and will have the full set by around six to eight months old.

That said, all dogs do develop at their own pace so just use this as a guideline.

Usually, this process goes naturally without a hitch but there can be situations where a milk tooth not coming out can cause problems. This is called a retained tooth. You will want to speak with your vet if you suspect your puppy to have a baby tooth not coming out.

A stubborn milk tooth can make adult teeth grow in the wrong place. This can push teeth closer together than they should be making access between very difficult. Over time it can lead to hygiene problems such as tooth decay and periodontal disease.

Never try to deal with this issue yourself. Always seek out professional support from your vet.

Do Puppies Swallow Their Baby Teeth?

We know that baby teeth fall out but where do they go? Swallowing is one place where Cocker Spaniel's little teeth end up. This doesn't cause any problems so don't worry about it.

It is also possible that the tooth can end up lodged in a toy.

Do Puppies Stop Biting and Chewing When Their Finish Teething?

It's likely that your Cocker Spaniel will bite and chew a little less once those puppy teeth are out. This is particularly true for chewing as there is no pain to subside.

In some cases, your Cocker will still be chewing your skirting boards or remote control after. This is now a behavioural issue more than a natural response to growing up.

The same can be said for biting. This is a separate issue you will want to have dealt with during this process. It is important to address Cocker Spaniel biting while they are still a pup by helping them develop bite inhibition.

Taking Care of your Cocker Spaniels Teeth

Just like we brush our own teeth we need to take care of our dog's teeth. Dental hygiene is a critical part of your dog's health and it would be a big mistake to overlook it.

The consequences of not keeping your dog's mouth healthy are similar to that for humans. Plaque and tartar accumulate leading to tooth decay and other types of dental diseases becoming common places.

Also, it can cause bad breath. A key reason is making your Cocker Spaniel smell badly. And a dog's breath can smell bad on a good day. Imagine how bad it would be if you didn't brush your dog's teeth.

Bad dental care can even reduce your dog's lifespan by up to three years.

In fact, 8/10 dogs have dental disease by two years old. This is why you should not lose any time establishing a regular brushing routine for your dog.

Brushing your Dogs Teeth

Thankfully, brushing your dog's teeth is very straightforward and doesn't take long once you get into a routine. Start brushing those puppy teeth from when your dog is three months old.

If you miss the odd day that is not the end of the world. But ensure you are at least brushing your dog's teeth three times a week at least.

There is always the option of a professional clean from a vet too.

One top tip for doing this is to brush when they are tired. This means you'll get less resistance and can just get on with it. It can make it far easier when starting out.

After a long walk when they are chilling on the sofa is a great time to go for it. Also, remember to use positive reinforcement when starting to brush your puppy's teeth.

To brush your dog's teeth you will need toothpaste and a toothbrush both designed for dogs. Using human toothpaste on your pup will give them an upset stomach. Stick to a version designed for dogs. You will also need a soft-bristled toothbrush to be gentle on those gums.

Begin by gently working the toothpaste into their teeth. Watch out as they'll likely just want to eat the toothpaste as you are trying to brush.

You will need to use your spare hand to lift their lip to get more access to the back of their mouths.

After you finish remember to reward good behaviour.

Chew Toys for Cleaning Teeth

Brushing will always be the core of Cocker Spaniel oral health but there are other ways you can keep their mouth healthy.

Chew toys are a great way to both keep your dog entertained and help keep their teeth healthy. It's a two-for-one!

Gnawing on chews can reduce plaque build-up on their teeth.

There are many options to choose from here. Kong's are perhaps the most well-known option. They can also be stuffed with treats to keep your dog engaged. You could also consider Nylabone these are very durable and designed for chewing.

Lastly, rope-based toys work very well. Just don't be playing tug-of-war whilst they are teething.

Certain Treats can Help

Some treats can also benefit your dog's oral health. You might have seen dental sticks in the shop such as Dentastix. These are designed to keep your dog's teeth clean.

Do keep in mind though these sticks are still food in a way and you won't want to be feeding these more than once per day. Too much of this can lead to an overweight Cocker Spaniel

Personally, I tend to lean more toward healthy snacks such as carrots.

Conclusion

If you have made it this far you are now officially an expert on Cocker spaniel teeth.

From how many they have at different stages of their development to how to properly care for them there is nothing standing in the way of perfect dental hygiene for your dog.

Remember to keep brushing those teeth daily to keep them in perfect condition.