Puppies continue to grow and develop from 3 months to 6 months of age and this includes a number of important physical milestones. Let’s take a look at some of the physical milestones puppies reach between 3-6 months of age…
Puppy Physical Growth and Milestones Between 3-6 months
Puppies continue to grow in size during this stage, building bone, muscle and a bigger brain! Smaller breeds will almost reach their adult height by 6 months of age, whereas larger breeds take much longer and don’t reach their adult height until around 12-18 months.
From about 3 months of age your puppy will lose their baby teeth and the adult teeth will start to come through.
During this teething stage, puppies can feel some discomfort and have a need and desire to chew for relief. Providing them with age appropriate chew toys is important to avoid destructive chewing of your furniture and personal items.
Some small dog breeds reach sexual maturity at around six months. Most vets recommend desexing your dog at (or just before) this age to help prevent unwanted litters as well as attention from other dogs.
By 5 to 6 months of age your puppy’s physical development should have progressed to the point where they’re physically able to hold their bowel and bladder overnight.
By this stage, toilet training should be progressing well, if not already complete.
How to Give your Puppy the Best Start to Life
There are a few steps you can take to ensure you’re giving your puppy the best start to life during this stage of growth. These include feeding them a high quality and nutritionally balanced food specifically formulated for puppies, providing them with a comfortable place to rest and lots of opportunity for quality sleep, providing suitable chew toys and treats for teething and healthy teeth and regular grooming to keep their skin and coat in good condition.
Regular gentle exercise is important for growing muscles, bones and joint however be careful not to over-exercise your puppy as this can cause physical problems down the track.
Flea, tick and worm prevention are also important for your puppy’s health, growth and development so be sure to speak with your vet about the best products for your puppy.
