New pet parents often wonder when puppies lose their baby teeth and get their adult ones. After all, you might have heard that teething can be uncomfortable for puppies, just like it is for babies. A puppy’s baby teeth start falling out around two months old.
“Thankfully, dogs and cats tend to tolerate teething a lot better than children do,” assures Dr Nancy Welborn, a veterinarian and associate professor of community practice at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in Louisiana, USA.
Adult teeth will come in following the same order, with the addition of molars in the very back of the mouth. By eight months old, puppies have full sets of 42 adult teeth, no matter if they’re a big or small breed dog.
You and your puppy can get through the teething period painlessly with appropriate chew toys and care at home.
Puppy Teething Timeline: When Do Puppies Get Adult Teeth?
Puppies are born toothless and remain so until two to three weeks old. By eight weeks, puppies have a full set of 28 baby teeth, which then start to fall out around 12 weeks. Adult teeth for puppies fully grow by six months of age, at which point puppy breath fades.
| Puppy age | Tooth growth and loss |
| 2 to 6 weeks | Incisors (12) |
| 3 to 4 weeks | Canines (4) |
| 4 to 8 weeks | Premolars (12) |
| 3 to 5 months | Baby teeth fall out while adult teeth come in |
| 6+ months | All adult teeth are in (42) |
Do some puppy breeds lose their baby teeth slower/faster?
While all dogs have the same number of adult teeth, veterinarian Dr Gabre Denton says small breed dogs tend to lose their baby teeth and develop adult teeth a little faster than larger breeds.
Smaller and short-faced breeds (brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs) have less space for all 42 teeth. Their teeth are often crowded, making them more susceptible to dental issues like tartar buildup and gum disease.
Puppy Teething Symptoms
While you probably won’t notice their tiny puppy teeth falling out, the arrival of their larger adult teeth can be uncomfortable for your pup. Signs your puppy is teething include:
- increased chewing or biting
- swollen gums
- bleeding gums
- whining or whimpering
- pawing at the mouth
If you suspect your puppy is in a lot of pain or has excessive bleeding, talk to your vet before giving any over-the-counter medication. Luckily, Dr Welborn says puppies often don’t need pain management. Infections and excessive bleeding from teething are unlikely.
How to Help A Teething Puppy
While teething and the discomfort that comes with it is normal, knowing how to help your puppy can be hard. It can be even more challenging to curb frustration if your puppy is chewing and nipping on everything.
1. Offer soft and cold food
Dr Denton says pet parents can best help their teething puppies by offering smaller, softer, or moistened food. Ice chips may also help with any gum discomfort. Frozen carrots and ice cubes can also help with soothing sore gums.
2. Choose the right teething toys
Dr Welborn says the best teething chew toys are softer than adult toys. They protect your puppy’s new teeth from breakage and discomfort. If your puppy is chewing on something they shouldn’t, replace it with a new chew toy. Here are our favourite puppy chew toys for teething:
- Rocket & Rex Small & Medium Breeds Puppy Chew Toy Variety Pack
- GoDog Dinos Chew Guard Bruto Squeaky Plush Dog Toy
- Nylabone Freezer Puppy Chew Toy
- Outward Hound Durablez Tough Plush Squeaky Dog Toy
- Petstages Cool Teething Stick for Dogs
Dr Welborn says if your puppy is still biting and chewing after about six months, it might be a behavioural issue, not just teething.
“Chewing is a normal behaviour, we just have to redirect and give them appropriate things to chew on,” she adds. Try a variety of toys and switch to harder chew toys once their adult teeth erupt. Praise your puppy when they choose the toy over other objects.
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3. Move hazardous items out of reach
If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to puppy-proof your home by securing cords and putting away personal items. Bad habits can develop while a puppy is teething. Teething is also when a puppy learns what they like to chew on, so hands-on training can help reinforce what they can chew on.
4. Get them used to brushing
While brushing puppy teeth with toothpaste isn’t necessary, getting them accustomed to the sensation is a good idea. Dr Welborn suggests gently touching their gums with a damp cloth, a fingertip, or a toothbrush.
Meanwhile, adult teeth should be brushed with a toothbrush and dog-specific toothpaste every one to two days.
Besides establishing a regular oral care routine, pet parents should feed their puppies a balanced diet and transition to an adult diet under a vet’s supervision. Your puppy’s teeth will stay pearly white with a solid care routine and healthy diet.
What if a baby tooth gets stuck?
Thankfully, it’s unlikely a puppy’s baby tooth will get stuck. But if you see one hanging on by a thread and your puppy doesn’t mind, Dr Welborn says a gentle tug can help. However, this isn’t usually necessary; puppies often swallow their baby teeth without issue.
Additionally, Dr Denton warns that pulling a stubborn baby tooth can do more harm than good. Fragile baby teeth can fracture and leave the root behind. This can lead to a painful infection.
Drs Wekborn and Denron recommend seeing a vet if you see an incoming adult tooth pushing down on a baby tooth or if your puppy still has baby teeth by six to seven months. In these cases, surgery might be necessary.
