Puppies do lose their baby teeth, and this is completely normal. They go through a teething phase just like small children. Knowing the timeline helps you stay calm and understand what is normal.
Baby teeth come in, fall out, and new teeth grow in their place. Signs of teething can include chewing, drooling, and mild discomfort. With the right care, you can help your puppy feel more at ease.
Most puppies finish teething by seven months of age. The process is short, and your support makes it easier for them. Here is the full timeline so you know what to expect at each stage.
Yes, Puppies Lose Their Baby Teeth
Your puppy will definitely lose their baby teeth. It’s a natural process every puppy goes through, just like human babies.
How Puppy Teeth Development Works?
Puppies are born without visible teeth, but the teeth are already developing inside their jaws at birth. Your puppy’s first set has several names. Baby teeth, milk teeth, deciduous teeth, or primary teeth. These baby teeth are incredibly sharp and pointed, which is why many people call them “needle teeth.”
Puppies have 28 baby teeth total, while adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth. Baby teeth are temporary and designed to fall out. The process is similar to how human babies lose their teeth.
Why Puppies Lose Their Teeth?
This is a natural developmental process. Every single puppy goes through it.
Baby teeth are small because puppies are small. As your puppy grows, those tiny teeth become too small for their larger jaw. The baby teeth must make way for bigger, stronger adult teeth. This is just part of normal growth and maturation, like getting taller or gaining weight.
When Do Puppies Start Getting Their Baby Teeth?
Understanding when teeth appear helps you prepare for each stage. Let me break down the timeline for you.
Newborn to 3 Weeks Old
For the first two weeks of life, your puppy has only fresh gums. No teeth are visible yet.
But here’s the interesting part. The teeth are already forming beneath the gum line. You just can’t see them. Your puppy doesn’t need teeth yet because they’re nursing from their mother.
3 to 4 Weeks Old
Around three weeks old, the first baby teeth start breaking through the gums. This is when things get interesting.
The incisors come first. These are the little teeth at the front of the mouth. Right after that, the canine teeth emerge. Those are the fangs on either side. This timing isn’t random. It happens right when puppies start eating solid food alongside nursing.
6 to 8 Weeks Old
By six to eight weeks, your puppy has all 28 baby teeth. Their mouth is now filled with a complete set of sharp little teeth.
The premolars are the last to emerge. These are the chewing teeth along the sides of the mouth. Puppies don’t have baby molars at all. Those only come in as adult teeth later.
When Do Puppies Lose Their Baby Teeth?
This is probably why you’re reading this article. You want to know when those sharp needle teeth finally fall out.
Most puppies start losing baby teeth around 3.5 to 4 months of age. But every puppy is different.
Some puppies don’t start until they’re 4 or even 5 months old. The process continues until your puppy is about 6 to 7 months old. The timeline varies based on breed and individual growth rate. Don’t panic if your puppy is slightly ahead or behind this schedule.
Which Teeth Fall Out First?
The order matters. Your puppy loses teeth in a specific sequence.
Baby incisors fall out first. Those are the front teeth. Next come the canines, or fangs. The premolars are the last baby teeth to fall out. As each baby tooth loosens and falls out, an adult tooth pushes through the gum to replace it.
Breed Differences in Teething Timeline
Your puppy’s breed affects the timeline. Size matters here.
Large and giant breed dogs typically get their adult teeth sooner than small dogs. Small breed dogs may take a bit longer. Brachycephalic breeds (those with short noses like Pugs or Bulldogs) can have timing variations, too. Remember, individual variation is completely normal within breeds.
When Do Adult Teeth Come In?
Adult teeth don’t wait for all baby teeth to fall out. They start coming in while baby teeth are still present.
The adult teeth process begins around 12 weeks old. That’s about 3 months old.
It continues until your puppy is 6 to 7 months old. Most puppies have their full set of adult teeth by 7 months. This overlaps with the baby teeth falling out, so both processes happen at the same time.
Adult teeth come in following a specific order. Incisors and canines erupt first at 3 to 5 months, premolars follow at 4 to 6 months, and molars grow in last at 5 to 7 months. Most puppies have a complete set of 42 adult teeth by 6 to 7 months old.
The molars are special. Puppies never have baby molars, so these are the first molars your puppy ever gets.
What Happens to the Baby Teeth When They Fall Out?
You might be wondering where all those teeth go. Good question.
Sometimes you’ll find tiny white teeth on your floor. They look like small, needle-like structures.
These teeth can range from white to a slightly yellow color. They’re surprisingly tiny. You might find them on the carpet, near their food bowl, or on their favorite sleeping spot. It’s like finding a little treasure.
Puppies Often Swallow Their Teeth
Here’s what usually happens. You never find the teeth at all. And that’s completely fine.
Puppies typically swallow their baby teeth while eating. This is totally normal and harmless. The teeth just pass through their digestive system without causing any problems. Don’t panic if you never see a single baby tooth. Most puppy owners never do.
Minor Bleeding Is Normal
A small amount of bleeding can happen when teeth fall out. Don’t freak out.
You might notice mild red staining on your puppy’s chew toys. The amount is minuscule. It’s barely noticeable. However, excessive bleeding is different. If you see a lot of blood, contact your veterinarian right away.
Signs Your Puppy Is Teething
Teething comes with visible signs. Knowing what to look for helps you understand what your puppy is going through.
Check your puppy’s mouth regularly. You’ll see changes happening.
Watch for these physical signs:
- Red and inflamed gums
- Swollen gums
- Minor bleeding from gums
- Missing teeth or gaps in the mouth
- Visible adult teeth pushing through
Lift your puppy’s lips gently and look inside. The gums might look redder than usual. You might see gaps where baby teeth fell out or spots where adult teeth are breaking through.
Behavioral Changes During Teething
Your puppy’s behavior will change during teething. Sometimes dramatically.
Common behavioral changes include:
- Increased chewing on everything
- Being more “mouthy” than usual
- Drooling excessively
- Eating less or seeming reluctant to eat
- Lower mood or acting irritable
- Whining more than normal
- Biting hands, furniture, and anything within reach
Your normally sweet puppy might suddenly turn into a chewing machine. This is temporary. I promise.
Why Puppies Chew Everything While Teething
There’s a reason behind all that chewing. Your puppy isn’t trying to destroy your house.
Here’s why puppies chew everything:
- Chewing alleviates discomfort from new teeth pushing through the gums
- Puppies explore their world primarily with their mouth
- They use their mouth to touch and grab objects
- Mouthing helps them learn about things around them
- Particularly pronounced in “mouthy” breeds like retrievers
- Natural way to investigate textures and shapes
- Normal developmental behavior that all puppies go through
This is completely normal puppy behavior during development. The chewing isn’t personal or destructive on purpose. It’s just how puppies learn and cope with teething discomfort.
How to Help Your Teething Puppy?
You can make teething easier for your puppy. Here’s how.
Best Teething Toys for Puppies
The right toys make a huge difference for teething puppies. Look for soft yet durable, non-toxic toys that are appropriately sized for your puppy. Rubber toys, freezable options, and puzzle toys work especially well for soothing sore gums.
Rotate the toys regularly to keep them interesting. Keep only a few out at any time. This keeps them “fresh” and prevents your puppy from getting bored.
Not all chew toys are safe. Some can actually harm your puppy.
Here’s what veterinary dentists recommend: Don’t let your puppy chew anything that won’t bend. Hard objects can break teeth, both baby and adult. Avoid nylon toys, bones, and antlers. Also, skip rawhide and pigs’ ears, which can cause blockages. Always supervise your puppy, even with recommended toys. No toy is 100% safe. Keep all toys clean and inspect them regularly for damage.
Soothing Methods for Teething Discomfort
Cold items work wonders for teething pain. Try these methods.
Offer chilled or frozen treats like blueberries, green beans, or carrots. Cold soothes pain and reduces inflammation. Provide a variety of both soft and hard toys. Some puppies prefer softer items when their gums hurt badly. Others like harder textures. Let your puppy choose what feels best.
Potential Teething Problems to Watch For
Most puppies’ teeth normally. But sometimes problems happen.
Retained Baby Teeth
Some baby teeth refuse to fall out, creating problems. Retained baby teeth are most common in smaller breeds and brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds. The canine teeth are usually affected, though it can happen anywhere in the mouth.
When baby teeth don’t fall out, food gets trapped between the retained tooth, the new adult tooth, and the gums. This leads to dental disease and malocclusion (misaligned bite). Retained baby teeth must be removed by your veterinarian, usually during spaying or neutering.
When to Contact Your Veterinarian
Some symptoms need immediate veterinary attention. Contact your vet if you notice high temperature, excessive bleeding, baby teeth still present at 7 months, extreme pain, or inability to eat. Teeth causing trauma to the opposite jaw also require professional help.
Trust your instincts when it comes to your puppy. If something seems wrong, call your vet. Better safe than sorry.
When Does Puppy Teething End?
Good news: teething doesn’t last forever. There’s an end in sight.
Timeline for Completion
Most puppies finish teething by 6 to 7 months old. By this age, your puppy should have all their adult teeth.
All 42 adult teeth should be present. All baby teeth should have fallen out. The timeline may vary slightly by breed and individual puppy. But seven months is the general target.
What Happens After Teething?
Life gets easier once teething ends. The excessive chewing behavior decreases significantly.
Your puppy will still chew and mouth things. That’s normal for dogs throughout their entire life. Dogs explore and learn with their mouth. It’s how they interact with the world. But the intense, destructive chewing from the teething phase stops. Adult teeth are meant to last your dog’s entire lifetime, so proper care becomes important now.
Conclusion
Puppies do lose their teeth, and this happens between three and seven months of age. You now understand the timeline, the common signs, and the simple ways to ease your puppy’s discomfort. This knowledge helps you stay calm and support your pup through a normal phase.
Preparation makes the process easier. Keep safe chew toys ready, offer cold treats, and watch for any unusual symptoms. Most puppies handle teething well with a little comfort and steady care from you.
This stage does not last long. By seven months, your puppy should have a full set of adult teeth and a lessened urge to chew everything. If your puppy has started teething, you can share your experience below to help other owners feel more at ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do puppies lose teeth like human babies?
Yes, puppies lose their baby teeth just like human babies. Puppies have 28 baby teeth that start falling out around 3.5 to 4 months old. Adult teeth replace them by 6 to 7 months. It’s a completely natural developmental process that all puppies go through.
At what age do puppies start losing their baby teeth?
Puppies typically start losing baby teeth around 3.5 to 4 months of age. Some don’t start until 4 or 5 months old. The process continues until about 6 to 7 months, when all 42 adult teeth should be present. Timing varies by breed and individual growth.
Is it normal if I never find my puppy’s baby teeth?
Yes, it’s completely normal. Most puppies swallow their baby teeth while eating, and they pass harmlessly through the digestive system. Many puppy owners never find a single tooth. Only occasionally will you find small, white, needle-like teeth on the floor.
How can I help my puppy during teething?
Provide safe teething toys made of soft, durable materials. Offer frozen treats like blueberries, carrots, or green beans to soothe sore gums. Freeze kibble inside puzzle toys for extra relief. Rotate toys regularly and always supervise chewing to prevent accidents.
When should I be concerned about my puppy’s teething?
Contact your vet if you notice excessive bleeding, high fever, baby teeth still present at 7 months, extreme pain, or inability to eat. Minor gum bleeding and increased chewing are normal. Trust your instincts. If something seems wrong, call your veterinarian immediately.
