Here’s the puppy teething timeline: baby teeth start coming in at about 3 weeks and finish by about 6 weeks. Adult teeth begin replacing them at about 3.5 to 4 months, and most puppies have all 42 adult teeth by 6 to 7 months, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Chewing and mouthing usually peak during this stretch.
Quick takeaways
- Puppies have 28 baby teeth and grow 42 adult teeth.
- Baby teeth erupt from about 3 to 6 weeks of age.
- Teething begins around 3.5 to 4 months and usually ends by 6 to 7 months.
- Chewing, drooling and mild gum soreness are normal.
- A baby tooth that hasn’t fallen out when the adult tooth arrives needs a vet check.
In this guide
- How many teeth do puppies have?
- What is the puppy teething timeline week by week?
- What are signs that a puppy is teething?
- How can I ease my puppy’s teething pain?
- How do I stop a teething puppy from biting?
- When should I worry about my puppy’s teeth?
- How do I care for my puppy’s teeth?
- Does teething affect puppy behavior?
- Frequently asked questions
Sharp little puppy teeth can turn your hands, shoes and table legs into chew targets. If it feels like your puppy wants to chew everything, teething is often part of the reason. Knowing the puppy teething timeline helps you plan ahead with the right toys and a lot of patience.
How many teeth do puppies have?
VCA Animal Hospitals’ article on retained baby teeth explains that puppies have 28 baby teeth, also called deciduous or milk teeth. Adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth. Baby teeth are small and very sharp, which is why puppy nips hurt so much.
What is the puppy teething timeline week by week?
Every puppy is a little different, and small and large breeds can vary. Here’s a general timeline based on VCA’s guidance:
| Age | What’s happening |
|---|---|
| Birth to 2 weeks | No teeth. Puppies nurse. |
| About 3 weeks | Baby teeth start coming through the gums. |
| 3 to 6 weeks | Baby teeth keep erupting. Puppies start trying soft food. |
| About 6 weeks | Most baby teeth are in. |
| 8 to 12 weeks | Full set of sharp baby teeth. Lots of mouthing and play biting. |
| About 3.5 to 4 months | Teething begins as baby incisors fall out and adult incisors come in. |
| 4 to 6 months | Canines, premolars and molars come in. Chewing is often at its peak. |
| 6 to 7 months | Most puppies have all their adult teeth. |
Teething often overlaps with other big changes. Our guide to puppy development stages shows how teething fits with growth, training and behavior.
Do small and large breeds teethe at different times?
The general timeline is similar for most puppies, though there’s some normal variation. VCA notes that baby teeth that don’t fall out on their own are more common in small breeds and flat-faced breeds like Pugs and Boston Terriers, so check those puppies’ mouths often during teething. If you’re not sure whether a tooth is a baby tooth or an adult tooth, your vet can tell at a glance.
What are signs that a puppy is teething?
- Chewing more than usual
- Mouthing hands, clothes and furniture
- Drooling
- Mild redness or swelling of the gums
- A small spot of blood on a toy
- Finding tiny teeth on the floor or in toys
- Eating a bit slower or preferring softer food for a day or two
Many puppies swallow baby teeth as they fall out. That’s usually harmless.
How can I ease my puppy’s teething pain?
Offer the right chew toys. Have a few different textures on hand: rubber, soft plush for gentle chewers and toys you can stuff with food. Rotate them to keep things interesting.
Try cold. Some puppies like chilled or frozen chew toys made for that purpose, or a damp washcloth that’s been frozen (supervise so they don’t eat the cloth).
Stuff a toy. Fill a rubber toy with some of your puppy’s regular food mixed with a little water and freeze it.
Avoid hard chews. VCA warns that hard toys, nylon chews, cow hooves and ice cubes can damage teeth, and bones and antlers can break them, too. A common rule of thumb is that if you can’t dent it with your thumbnail, it may be too hard for a puppy.
Don’t use human pain relievers or teething gels unless your vet says so. Some human products are toxic to dogs.
How do I stop a teething puppy from biting?
Teething makes biting worse, but it’s still a habit you can shape. Redirect to a toy every time, pause play when teeth touch skin and make sure your puppy naps enough. Most puppies mouth less as adult teeth come in and they learn better manners. Our guide on when puppies stop biting explains what’s normal.
Keep tempting things out of reach. Teething puppies will chew shoes, cords, remote controls and furniture. Use baby gates or a playpen when you can’t supervise.
When should I worry about my puppy’s teeth?
Call your vet if you notice:
- A baby tooth still there when the adult tooth has come in. VCA explains that these persistent baby teeth can push adult teeth out of position and usually need to be removed promptly.
- A broken or discolored tooth.
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away, swollen gums or bleeding that’s more than a spot.
- Not eating for more than a day, or seeming very painful.
- A bite that looks off, like teeth hitting the roof of the mouth.
Your vet will check your puppy’s mouth at routine visits. It’s a good time to ask about tooth brushing.
How do I care for my puppy’s teeth?
Start gentle handling early. Touch your puppy’s lips and gums for a second, then give a treat. Over time, introduce a finger brush or soft puppy toothbrush with toothpaste made for dogs. Never use human toothpaste. Once adult teeth are in, aim for daily brushing. Look for dental products with the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal if you want extra help.
Does teething affect puppy behavior?
It can. Sore gums can make some puppies cranky, more mouthy or a little clingy. Teething also overlaps with periods when puppies may react more strongly to new things. Read about puppy fear periods so you can tell the difference between normal teething fuss and a puppy who needs more confidence building.
The teething stage passes. With good chew toys, consistent training and a watchful eye, you’ll come out the other side with a dog who has a healthy set of adult teeth and better manners.
Frequently asked questions
What is the puppy teething timeline?
Baby teeth erupt between about 3 and 6 weeks. Around 3.5 to 4 months, the incisors start falling out as adult teeth come in, followed by the other teeth. VCA says most puppies have all of their adult teeth by 6 to 7 months.
How long will my puppy be teething?
The main teething stage, when baby teeth fall out and adult teeth come in, usually lasts from about 3.5 or 4 months to 6 or 7 months. Many dogs keep chewing for a while after that because chewing is a normal dog behavior at any age.
How long is a puppy’s teething phase?
Expect roughly two to three months of active tooth replacement. Some puppies breeze through it, while others are extra mouthy and chewy. Providing safe chew toys during this whole period protects your hands and your furniture.
Do puppies go through teething?
Yes. Every puppy loses 28 baby teeth and grows 42 adult teeth. You might find tiny teeth on the floor, though puppies often swallow them, which is usually harmless. Some puppies have sore gums and chew more during this time.
How old are puppies when they’re teething?
Most puppies start losing baby teeth at around 3.5 to 4 months old and finish by about 6 to 7 months. Very young puppies also teethe when baby teeth first come in, between about 3 and 6 weeks, while they’re still with their mother.
Vet note: This article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from your own veterinarian. If your puppy is having trouble breathing, collapses, has a seizure or may have eaten something toxic, call your vet or the nearest emergency animal hospital right away. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 888-426-4435 (a fee may apply).
