Last Updated: 28/05/2025
Learn about the basics of puppy teething what to expect and how to keep your pup's teeth healthy and you and your puppy happy.
Author: Dr Josepha Cox BBiomedSc (Hons) DVM
Reading Time: 26 minutes - medium read
You've welcomed an adorable puppy into your home, thrilled to begin a lifelong bond with your furry friend. But then it starts - the relentless chewing, the occasional whimpering, and yes, the occasional unexpected bite. Your furniture is suffering, your shoes are a gnawed mess and you're left wondering what's going on. Is this normal? Welcome to the puppy teething stage, a critical but often challenging period in your puppy's life.
Worry not! This comprehensive article will guide you through the murky waters of puppy teething. We'll provide a detailed timeline of what to expect, signs that your puppy is teething and actionable solutions to manage this phase successfully.
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Caring for Your Puppy's Dental Health
Teething is a natural, albeit sometimes trying, part of your puppy's growth and development. It's a period filled with chewed furniture, nipped fingers, and of course, those irresistible puppy eyes that make it all forgivable.
Understanding the basics of puppy teething will help you navigate this crucial phase with greater ease and fewer casualties (think: your favourite pair of shoes). Let's dive in!
The teething process usually begins when puppies are around 3 weeks of age. Before this, your puppy doesn't have any teeth because they are primarily nursing from their mother. But as they start to require solid food, their baby teeth begin to erupt to help them chew.
Yes. Generally, all the baby teeth (also known as deciduous teeth) have erupted by 6-8 weeks of age and then begin to fall out at around 12 weeks of age to be replaced by the adult (permanent) teeth.
In preparation for the baby tooth to be shed, the roots of the baby tooth are resorbed, leaving the crown of the tooth to fall out. In many instances, you won't find this baby tooth crown, as many dogs will harmlessly swallow it during a meal, or it may be lost while chewing on a toy. You may notice a small amount of bleeding from the gums (or perhaps a few spots of blood on their toys) when the tooth falls out, however the amount should be very minimal.
In general, all the deciduous teeth should have been shed and the permanent teeth erupted by 6-7 months of age.
Typically, the period between 3 and 6 months of age is when the most intense behaviours associated with teething are noticed.
Puppies are born toothless but eventually develop two sets of teeth over their lifetime.
Set One: The Deciduous Teeth
Puppies have 28 deciduous teeth, also known as baby teeth or primary teeth. These teeth are generally sharp and pointed, making it easier for your pup to chew soft foods. Puppies do not have deciduous first premolars or molars, hence the difference in the number of puppy teeth compared to adult teeth.
Set Two: The Adult Teeth
Adult dogs end up with a total of 42 teeth, far more than the baby set. These are permanent teeth that should last your dog their lifetime if properly cared for. Dogs have 3 incisors, 1 canine, 4 premolars and 3 molars on each side of the lower (mandibular) jaw and 3 incisors, 1 canine, 4 premolars but only 2 molars on each side of the top (maxillary) jaw.
Each set has different types of teeth with specialised functions:
Understanding the timeline will give you a framework for managing your puppy's teething phase. Here's what you can generally expect:
While teething can be a painful process for puppies, it's also a period where they learn a lot about their environment.
Chewing helps them understand their world, so make sure to provide appropriate chewing outlets to keep them - and your belongings - safe.
Chewing can be both a delightful and frustrating experience for new puppy parents. While it's adorable to see your pup engaged with a chew toy, it's less charming when they're munching on something important. Understanding why puppies have an almost insatiable urge to chew can help you mitigate the damage and guide them through this formative phase.
Puppies chew for a variety of reasons, not all of which are related to teething:
Chewing can provide relief from the discomfort of new teeth pushing through the gums.
Puppies are curious beings. Unlike humans, who explore largely through vision and touch, dogs primarily use their noses and mouths to learn about the world.
Sometimes, puppies chew to get attention, especially if they realise that chewing something forbidden gets a reaction.
Puppies are bundles of energy and need mental stimulation. Chewing can be a self-entertaining activity.
Wild canines chew to keep their teeth clean and to exercise their jaws. While domesticated dogs no longer need to hunt, the instinct remains.
While all puppies chew, some breeds are particularly prone to being 'mouthy':
Differentiating between 'normal' chewing behaviour and teething discomfort can be tricky. However, there are signs that suggest your puppy may be specifically dealing with teething pains:
Teething can be a trying time for both puppies and their owners. As your puppy navigates this crucial developmental stage, itâs essential to offer appropriate support. Here's how you can help manage your pup's teething period more effectively.
Finding the right chew toys can make all the difference, here are some highly recommended options:
Along with specific teething toys, some household items and foods can also work wonders:
Always supervise your pup closely when introducing them to new chews, toys or treats to ensure their safety.
As teething is a natural process, puppies can and will chew on whatever they can get their little mouths onto. It's our responsibility as pet parents to remove any valuable items from their reach and guide their attention to appropriate chewing outlets such as those mentioned above.
For more tips, read through our guide on How to stop your dog chewing things they shouldn't.
Your vet will routinely check your pup's teeth during health and vaccination appointments to ensure they are shedding and erupting as expected. As most puppy vaccination appointments finish around the 16 weeks mark, an additional dental check around 6 months of age (at around the time of desexing) is a great idea to help to pick up any oral health problems such as retained puppy teeth.
There are also other instances when you should seek professional guidance:
Persistent Pain
If your puppy seems to be in constant discomfort despite trying various teething aids.
Irregularities in Tooth Eruption
If you notice teeth coming in crooked or not falling out as they should (known as 'retained deciduous teeth'). Take a read through our article on Puppy Dental Problems for more information.
Infection Signs
If your puppy's gums appear red, swollen and more inflamed than what would be expected, this could be a sign of infection.
Dietary Issues
If teething affects your pup's ability to eat.
Behavioural Changes
Excessive irritability, reluctance or pain when handling the mouth, aggression or withdrawal may indicate a deeper issue requiring vet intervention.
Good dental health is essential for a dog's overall well-being, affecting everything from digestion to disease prevention. While teething is an important milestone, it's just the beginning of your puppy's dental journey. Here's how to care for those growing chompers throughout your dog's life.
Regular tooth brushing is key to preventing these problems. Starting at a young age, use pet-specific toothbrushes and toothpaste to make the process as comfortable and safe as possible for your pup. Combine the brushing routine with treats and positive reinforcement to make it an enjoyable experience and aim for consistency by brushing at least a few times a week, although daily would be ideal!
For more information, take a read through our articles on:
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