Puppy Teething? Everything You Need to Know!

Teething is a normal part of a puppy’s growth. Just like human babies, puppies go through this process as their baby teeth fall out and are replaced by adult dog teeth. This stage usually starts around their 6-month birthday. This plays a large role in how they explore the world. They often use their mouth to seek attention and explore, making them more mouthy than usual. While teething can sometimes be painful, it’s a normal and necessary process for puppies. Owners should know that teething puppies will begin to experience discomfort as their baby teeth fall out and adult teeth replace them. The process can be difficult at times, but it’s essential for their overall development.

How Many Teeth Do Puppies Have?

Puppies are born without teeth, so at birth, they are toothless and rely on their mother’s milk for feeding. As they grow, their baby teeth or deciduous teeth begin erupting around 3 weeks of age. At this stage, puppies start eating solid food while still nursing. Over the next few weeks, you’ll notice their little incisors and canines (also called fang teeth) start to appear. By 6–8 weeks old, their mouth will be filled with 28 pearly white baby teeth, including premolars, as they continue to develop. Puppies' jaws will gradually expand, making room for their adult teeth to come in later. During the next three to five weeks, their teeth will continue erupting, setting the stage for the eventual replacement of their baby teeth with permanent ones.

When Do Puppies Stop Teething?

By the time puppies are 3-and-a-half months old, they start to lose their deciduous teeth as their adult teeth begin to push through the gums. Some puppies, especially large-breed dogs and giant-breed dogs, may lose their teeth sooner, while smaller breeds typically take a little longer, around 4 months old. During this teething phase, baby incisors are the first to fall out, often followed by canines and premolars. You might feel shocked to find a little white tooth on the floor or even notice that you never find one. This is because baby teeth are often swallowed, which is completely normal. By 6 months old, puppies will have lost all 28 baby teeth and grown 42 strong adult teeth. The timeline for teeth growth varies slightly: incisors erupt first between 3–5 months, premolars follow at 4–6 months old, and molars grow last, appearing around 5–7 months of age. By the end of this process, your puppy’s teething journey is complete, and they’re ready to enjoy their new set of permanent adult teeth!

Puppy Teething Timeline

Just like human babies, puppies begin to grow their first baby teeth quickly, often within a few weeks of birth. The teething process happens so fast that you might miss the earliest stages, but it’s a natural part of your puppy’s development. As a result, these tiny teeth start falling out to make way for adult ones, marking an important milestone for all dogs.

Weeks 2-4

Puppies, while still nursing, get their first set of baby teeth as incisors typically begin to emerge from the gums around three weeks of age. These are soon followed by additional milk teeth, including canines and premolars, completing the early teething stage.

Weeks 5-8

By the time a puppy reaches eight weeks of age, all baby teeth have typically grown in. If you look inside their mouth, you’ll see 12 incisors, 12 premolars, and six canines, completing their temporary set.

Weeks 12-16

Around week 12, many breeders and shelters begin to send young puppies home, allowing owners to adopt them. During this time, permanent adult teeth start to grow, gradually forcing out baby teeth. These sharp, rice-sized teeth are still present but will soon be replaced as your puppy adjusts to their new house.

Week 20+

By the ages of six to eight months, your dog will have a full set of 42 permanent teeth. These adult teeth gradually emerge in order, including 12 incisors, four canines, 16 premolars, and 10 molars, with the molars typically appearing last as the baby teeth are completely replaced.

Signs of Teething in Puppies

Puppies, during this developmental stage, start exploring the world with their mouths, often gnawing on anything they find. This normal behavior happens between 3–7 months old and is part of their teething timeline, though it can be difficult to manage as they experience pain. The teething pain may cause your puppy to become mouthy or even destructive at home. This temporary period means puppies need appropriate chewing opportunities like toys to stay engaged and protect their belongings.

How To Care for a Teething Puppy

Taking care of a teething puppy means offering lots of options for chewing, like soft toys, rubber toys or even chilled and frozen toys. Depending on their teething pain, your puppy may prefer softer or harder items. You can also soothe pain and inflammation by giving chilled treats like blueberries, green beans or carrots.