Teething in Puppies

Puppy teeth

Puppies have two sets of teeth. The first ones are the puppy teeth. Other names for them include

• Baby teeth
• Milk teeth
• Deciduous teeth

These teeth fall out after a few months, about when the adult teeth come in.

Most dogs have 28 baby teeth. As those fall out, the permanent teeth erupt. There are 42 permanent teeth, although some dogs have more or less.

What is Teething

Teething is when a dog loses its baby teeth and has their adult teeth grow in. You might be more familiar with it as the period when your puppy puts their mouth on everything: your shoes, your rugs, your fingers…

More vigorous teething typically occurs when your puppy is between 3 and 6 months old. However, they will also chew when their puppy teeth initially come in. By six months, they should have all their adult teeth in place. (That’s also a great marker to estimate how old a dog is!)

Signs of Teething

Teething can be painful for your pup, just like for kids. In addition to chewing on everything, there are a few other signs of teething:

• Drooling
• Blood on toys or blankets
• Change in breath smells (They lose that “puppy breath”)

Your puppy shouldn’t be vomiting or turning away from their food even though their gums are sore. If you see something like that, contact your veterinarian quickly for an exam.

If you’re like many pet owners, you probably want to save a baby tooth for your puppy scrapbook. Unfortunately, your pup will usually swallow the teeth. (Or you’ll be unlucky and find one with your bare foot in the living room.)

How Long Does Teething Last in Dogs?

In puppies, it takes a few months, but many dogs may be mouthy or chew even after their teeth have grown in. Typically, teething is over when your puppy’s adult teeth erupt.

You’ll need to monitor your puppy carefully and provide them with appropriate chew toys. As your pup goes in for vaccine boosters, you’ll want to have your veterinarian examine their puppy teeth to make sure their teeth are coming in without issues. 

How to Help Your Puppy with Teething

While your puppy is teething, they’re bound to be mouthy. You’ll want to offer them toys that are safe for chewing. Avoid hard objects that can break teeth, such as antlers and bones.

The best toys or chews for your puppy depend on your puppy. Gentle chewers are usually okay with soft toys that vigorous chewers would demolish. Tough chewers need firmer toys like tough Kong toys.

Regardless of the toy you use, your puppy always needs to be supervised when chewing toys. You’ll want to check out each toy to ensure your pooch isn’t chewing pieces off or having stuffing fall out.

You can also find edible teething rings for puppies. These chews give your puppy something tasty to chew on that tends to be safe for any chewers, as long as they don’t bite off chunks that could make them choke.

Brushing Their Teeth

You’ll want to teach your puppy while they’re young that having their mouth handled and teeth brushed is normal. You don’t want a little land shark that bites you for getting close to their mouth, do you? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

There’s a fine line when your puppy is teething. You want your puppy to get used to having you brushing their teeth, but you don’t want them to associate brushing with pain. If your puppy is actively having teeth erupt, consider waiting a few days to brush their teeth, especially if they seem sensitive to it.

Get a pet-safe toothpaste to get your puppy used to having their teeth brushed. (Your toothpaste is a big no-no.) Gently lift their lip and rub along their gums for a moment. Don’t fight them, and offer praise for holding still for that. Slowly build up to brushing their teeth all over.

Treating Nipping or Biting

Unfortunately, many puppies bite while they’re teething. This behavior should not be encouraged. You’ll need safe ways to teach your puppy that biting people is bad.

Many puppies do well if you make a loud sound like “Ouch!” when they bite you. After all, if another puppy bites them, they squeal, too. Some puppies get excited by that, so you may need to remove yourself from the situation as another option.

Always keep toys that are appropriate for chewing near you. If your puppy tries to nip your fingers, redirect them with a chew toy.

Do not physically discipline your puppy. That can teach your pup to become a fear-biter and is a lousy practice overall. If your puppy is acting out and biting, especially if aggressive, you must work with your veterinarian and likely an experienced dog trainer.

Issues with Puppy Teeth

Broken Teeth

Puppy teeth are fragile and can break easily. Tooth fractures can be quite painful and are a potential source of infection.

Your local vet will need to remove fractured teeth that don’t fall out on their own. Your veterinarian can help you determine if it’s safe to wait until your puppy gets spayed or neutered or if they need a sooner procedure.

Retained Baby Teeth

Some puppies don’t have their teeth fall out. These teeth are retained baby teeth, and your local vet will generally recommend extracting them, although it’s not usually a procedure that has to happen immediately.

These teeth can trap hair, food, and other particles between the baby and adult teeth. That can lead to periodontal disease and infections.

Misaligned Teeth

Some puppies have abnormal jaw structure, such as an overbite or underbite. They may also have rotated teeth or teeth located where the tooth can hit the upper or lower jaw. Your vet may need to extract these teeth, so ensure your veterinarian checks your puppy’s teeth at each visit.

Conclusion

Puppies teeth for several months can be a painful process for them – and for you. The good news is that it doesn’t last forever, but what you teach your puppy during this time may be habits they keep throughout their life.