Whether you own a puppy or a kitten, chances are you know when teething hits on your furry friend. Your once docile animal is suddenly all over you with his teeth. They’re chewing on you, chewing on the furniture, and can’t seem to resist putting nearly anything in their mouths.

This is a time of great discomfort for puppies and kittens alike, so it’s important to be understanding during this time. Here’s what you can do to save your furniture and also bring relief to your pet.

Invest in teething toys

There are a variety of teething toys especially designed for this phase in your pet’s life. These toys are generally safer than other options because they are made from non-toxic materials and are designed to be chewed on.

This doesn’t mean a pet can be unsupervised with them however, large chunks can be chewed off and ingested, which could lead to a blockage.

Offer these chew toys to your teething pet, and if you find them chewing on something inappropriate, trade them the inappropriate item for a “correct” chew toy.

Avoid excessively hard chews

Although you may be tempted to grab a very hard, durable chew to last through all of puppy hood, this can end up causing damage to your pet’s teeth. Ask your vet if you’re unsure if a chew is safe for your pet before giving it to your puppy.

Address biting gently

During this stage anything looks pretty good for relieving the pain of swollen, tender gums. That includes fingers and toes. If your puppy or kitten is trying to make you into a chew toy, yell “Ow!” to let them know that it hurts (it simulates the yelp of a litter mate) and offer them an appropriate chew toy.

This part of puppyhood can be hard to deal with, but it’s part of having a young pet. With the right tools, you can get through teething with relative comfort for you both.