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Puppy teething starts at around 3–4 months and is finished by 6–7 months: the front incisors change first, then the canines and molars, until 42 adult teeth have replaced the 28 baby teeth. During this time the gums are sore and the urge to chew goes up, so much of a puppy's biting is part of normal development. On this page you'll find a month-by-month teething timeline, how to manage biting, which chews are safe, and when to see the vet.
Quick answer
When do puppies lose their baby teeth?
- Baby teeth: come in at 3–6 weeks
- Teething starts: at 3–4 months, with the incisors
- Canines and molars: at 4–6 months
- Teething ends: at 6–7 months, with 42 adult teeth
- Peak biting: between 3 and 6 months
Puppy teething timeline, month by month
| Age | What happens |
|---|---|
| 0–2 weeks | No teeth; the puppy only nurses |
| 3–6 weeks | 28 baby teeth come in; they're thin and very sharp |
| 8 weeks | All baby teeth are in; most puppies go to new homes around now |
| 3–4 months | Front incisors fall out and adult ones come in; chewing increases |
| 4–6 months | Canines, premolars and the first molars come in; biting peaks |
| 6–7 months | All 42 adult teeth are in; the urge to chew eases but doesn't disappear |
A difference of a few weeks between breeds is normal. Small breeds can finish teething a little later.
You often won't find the baby teeth that fall out: puppies usually swallow them with their food, and that's harmless. A small spot of blood on a toy or a tiny tooth on the floor is normal too.
Why biting increases
Gums ache and itch as adult teeth push through. Chewing relieves that discomfort, so a puppy chewing on hands, shoes or furniture isn't being "naughty"; it's finding relief. In the same period, puppies are learning how hard a bite can be. They started learning that from their mother and littermates, and now they'll learn it from you.
Managing puppy biting
- Redirect. When your puppy bites your hand or clothes, calmly pull away and offer a chew toy instead. Praise them for chewing the toy.
- Pause the play. If biting gets hard, stop playing without raising your voice, look away for a few seconds, then continue. Your puppy learns that rough biting ends the game.
- Hands aren't toys. Wrestling with hands and teasing with fingers rewards biting. Use a rope or a long toy.
- Notice tiredness. Sudden spikes in biting often mean your puppy is overtired. Quiet rest is the best fix.
- Don't punish. Holding the mouth shut, shouting or hitting causes fear and can make biting worse.
These ground rules settle much faster alongside early training like the first three commands: sit, wait, come.
What your puppy can safely chew
- Soft, flexible rubber chew toys
- A damp cloth chilled in the fridge
- Age-appropriate teething toys made to soothe gums
- Size-appropriate toys with no risk of being swallowed
- Stuffable toys filled with a little wet food and frozen
A simple rule: If you can't make a dent in it with your fingernail, it's too hard for a teething puppy. Bones, antlers, hooves, hard nylon bones and ice cubes can break teeth. Cooked bones can splinter and cause injuries; for foods that are risky even when not toxic, see foods toxic to dogs.
Check toys regularly and throw away any that are breaking apart or getting small. Don't leave your puppy alone with something to chew.
Getting your home ready for teething
- Lift cables, shoes and children's toys off the floor.
- Keep the area where your puppy stays alone small and safe.
- If your puppy chews furniture legs, put toys in that corner and rotate them; the same toy every day loses its appeal.
Feeding during teething
When the gums are very sore, some puppies show less interest in food. Ways to make it easier:
- Soak dry food in warm water for a few minutes to soften it.
- Put part of the daily food into a stuffable toy and freeze it; your puppy chews and eats at once.
- Keep the meal routine; your puppy's daily needs stay the same during teething.
If your puppy doesn't eat anything for more than a day, it may be more than teething; call your vet.
Start dental care early
Teething is the best time to get your puppy used to having their mouth handled. For a few seconds a day, lift the lips, look at the teeth, then give a treat. Once the adult teeth are in, moving on to tooth brushing is much easier. If one area seems very sore, don't force it; try again in a few days.
When to see the vet
- A baby tooth hasn't fallen out: the adult tooth is in but the baby tooth is still there (most common with canines and in small breeds). Two teeth side by side can push the adult tooth in the wrong direction and trap debris. Your vet will usually remove the baby tooth, often under the same anesthesia as spaying or neutering.
- Bad breath that doesn't go away.
- Reluctance or difficulty eating.
- Gum bleeding that doesn't stop, or very swollen gums.
- A broken tooth, or a tooth that has changed color (gray or pink).
- Biting that's very hard and doesn't respond to redirection at all; a trainer can help too.
Vet checkups in the first months include a look at the mouth. When you prepare questions for your puppy's first vet visit, add teeth to the list.
Frequently asked questions
My puppy swallowed a tooth. Is that a problem?
No. Baby teeth are small and harmless if swallowed.
Do puppies get a fever when teething?
Teething on its own doesn't cause a clear fever, diarrhea or lethargy. If you see these, something else may be going on; check with your vet.
A baby tooth is wobbly. Can I pull it out?
No. A wobbly baby tooth will fall out on its own; pulling it can break the root and hurt the gum. If the adult tooth is in and the baby tooth still won't come out, show it to your vet.
When does the biting stop?
Once the adult teeth are in (6–7 months), the urge to chew drops noticeably. With consistent redirection in the meantime, biting won't become a habit.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Teeth, Teething and Chewing in Puppies
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Persistent Deciduous Teeth in Dogs
This guide is for information only and does not replace a veterinary exam.
