Puppy Teething: Timeline and Soothing Tips

Puppy Teething: What to Expect and When

Puppies are born toothless. By three weeks, they have 28 needle-sharp baby teeth. By about six months, all 28 are replaced by 42 adult teeth. In between lies the teething phase, the reason your puppy chews everything, including you.

The Teething Timeline

• 0-3 weeks: No teeth. Puppies nurse exclusively.
• 3-6 weeks: Baby teeth (deciduous teeth) erupt. They are sharp, numerous, and painful.
• 12-16 weeks: Baby teeth start falling out. You may find them on the floor, or more likely, your puppy swallows them.
• 4-7 months: Adult teeth come in. This is the most destructive phase.
• 7-8 months: All 42 adult teeth should be present. If baby teeth persist, your vet may need to extract them.

Why Puppies Chew Everything

Teething causes genuine pain and pressure in the gums. Chewing relieves this discomfort, it is not defiance, it is self-medication. Understanding this changes your approach from stop the chewing to redirect the chewing.

Soothing Strategies That Work

• Frozen treats: Wet a knotted rope toy and freeze it. The cold numbs sore gums.
• Carrot sticks: Frozen carrots are safe, low-calorie chew toys.
• Chew toys of varying textures: Rubber, rope, and fabric, variety matters.
• Ice cubes: Some puppies love chasing and crunching them.

Protecting Your Home and Hands

• Puppy-proof aggressively: shoes, cables, remote controls, and children's toys go out of reach
• When your puppy bites you, say ouch in a high-pitched voice and redirect to a toy
• Never pull away sharply, this triggers the chase instinct and makes biting worse
• Use bitter apple spray on furniture legs and table edges as a deterrent

When to Worry

Some bleeding during tooth loss is normal. But contact your vet if you notice: persistent bad breath (possible infection), refusal to eat for more than a day, swollen face, or baby teeth that do not fall out by 8 months.