Last Updated: 19/08/2026
Puppy Teething: Signs, Timeline and How to Help
From shark teeth to adult chompers, puppy teething is a big milestone! Our expert vet guide covers the teething timeline, recommended chew toys, and simple home remedies to keep your puppy comfortable (and your furniture intact) during this stage.
Author: Dr Josepha Cox BBiomedSc (Hons) DVM
Reading Time: 3 minutes - short read
There is nothing quite like the "land shark" phase to test the patience of even the most devoted pet parent. One minute you're cuddled up with a sleeping fluff-ball, and the next, those needle-sharp puppy teeth are anchored into your favourite sneaker or your thumb! While it might feel personal, this relentless chewing is actually a vital developmental milestone. Here's what's happening inside your puppy's mouth, and how to help.
What is the puppy teething timeline?
Puppies are born toothless. Their first set of 28 baby (deciduous) teeth erupts over the first couple of months, then gets replaced by a permanent set of 42 adult teeth.
- 3 Weeks: Baby incisors and canines start to erupt
- 4-6 Weeks: Baby premolars erupt
- 6-12 Weeks: All 28 baby teeth have usually erupted
- 3-6 Months: Baby teeth start to fall out and adult incisors and canines begin to come in
- 5-7 Months: Adult molars come in at the back of the mouth
- 6-7 Months: Most dogs have a full set of 42 adult teeth by this time
The most intense chewing and discomfort tends to show up between 3 and 6 months, as baby teeth loosen and adult teeth push through.
What are the signs my puppy is teething?
Teething discomfort can look a bit different from puppy to puppy, but the common signs include:
- Increased drooling
- Swollen or red gums
- Smelly breath (crowding and inflammation from erupting teeth gives bacteria more places to hide)
- Reluctance to eat
- Constant chewing
- Whining or restlessness
In clinic it is common for puppy owners to ask about blood spots found on toys after a puppy has been chewing or playing with them. A small amount of blood on toys or bedding is normal when a baby tooth comes out, as the tooth's root is reabsorbed before the crown falls out. Most owners never even find the tooth; puppies usually swallow it or lose it in a toy.
How can I help my teething puppy?
Appropriate chew outlets do double duty: they ease sore gums and protect your furniture. Look for soft rubber or silicone teething toys designed for puppies, and pop a few in the freezer, as the cold helps numb sore gums. Frozen washcloths, frozen kibble stuffed into a puppy Kong, and frozen blueberries or green beans all work the same way.
What to avoid: hard nylon bones, antlers, bones and ice cubes can fracture a puppy's delicate teeth, so steer clear of anything that doesn't give under thumb pressure. Always supervise chewing sessions with anything new.
Puppies chew for comfort as much as relief, so redirecting to an appropriate toy (rather than just removing the forbidden item) tends to work best. For more on managing chewing, see our guide on stopping unwanted chewing.
When does teething need a vet check?
Your vet will check your puppy's teeth at routine vaccination visits, and it's worth booking a dedicated dental check around 6 months of age (often alongside desexing) to catch anything that's not tracking normally. See your vet sooner if you notice persistent pain or irritability when handling the mouth, teeth coming in crooked or not falling out on schedule, gums that look more red or swollen than expected, or your puppy going off food. Crooked or retained baby teeth need their own workup, so we've covered that in detail in our guide to puppy dental problems.
Teething is also just the start of your puppy's dental journey; our puppy dental care guide and complete dog dental care guide cover building a brushing routine once the adult teeth are all in.
Puppy Teething FAQs
Teething is a short, intense chapter in your puppy's growth. Stay patient, keep the right chew toys in rotation, and before long the adult teeth will be in and the worst of the chewing will settle.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 19 Aug 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Josepha Cox BBiomedSc (Hons) DVM
Author, BBiomedSc (Hons) DVM
Dr Josepha graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2015 and has spent her time in small animal practice in Melbourne. She has a special interest in diagnostic imaging, nutrition and geriatric medicine. She is currently completing further study in animal nutrition and her favourite part of being a vet is helping senior animals to live happily and comfortably into their twilight years.
