Puppy Teething Timeline: What to Expect and How to Help

Last reviewed October 2026. This guide is educational and is not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your puppy’s mouth, teeth or behavior, ask your vet. Some links are affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate, PetBoo earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

⚡ Quick answer

Puppies get 28 baby teeth by about 6 to 8 weeks old. From roughly 3 to 4 months, baby teeth start to fall out as 42 adult teeth come in, with the heaviest chewing between about 4 and 6 months. Most puppies have all their adult teeth by 6 to 8 months. Safe chew toys, chilled treats and gentle redirection help, and a vet should check any baby tooth that does not fall out.

✅ Key takeaways

Teething is normal. Chewing and nipping help puppies cope with sore gums.
Expect a peak at 4 to 6 months and a finish by about 6 to 8 months.
Give safe, size-appropriate toys and supervise.
Do not punish chewing. Redirect to a toy and reward.
Tell your vet about retained baby teeth or heavy bleeding.

Yellow Labrador puppies together — Teething puppies chew to soothe sore gums, so give them plenty of safe options.

Puppy teething timeline

Age	What is happening	What you may notice
0 to 2 weeks	No teeth yet	Puppies feed on their mother’s milk
3 to 4 weeks	Baby (deciduous) teeth start to appear	Usually before you bring your puppy home
6 to 8 weeks	Full set of 28 baby teeth	Needle-sharp teeth and lots of mouthing
12 to 16 weeks	Baby teeth begin to loosen and fall out. Adult incisors come in	More chewing and tiny teeth on the floor
4 to 6 months	Canines and premolars come in. Peak teething	Strong urge to chew everything, drooling, sore gums
5 to 7 months	Adult molars come in	Chewing starts to ease
6 to 8 months	Full set of 42 adult teeth	Time for a dental check if any baby teeth remain

Timing varies by puppy and breed. Larger breeds often change teeth sooner than small breeds, and small or short-nosed breeds more often keep baby teeth.

Signs your puppy is teething

Chewing on everything, including hands, shoes and furniture
Drooling and bad breath
Red, swollen or slightly bleeding gums (small spots of blood on toys are common)
Eating more slowly or being fussy with hard food
Finding small baby teeth on the floor, though puppies often swallow them
Whining or restlessness

How to soothe a teething puppy

🧸 Offer safe toys. Choose durable, puppy-sized rubber or teething toys. Avoid toys that are too hard or that can break into pieces. See our best chew toys guide.

❄️ Chill, do not freeze solid. Chilled rubber toys, a damp washcloth or a stuffed puppy KONG can numb sore gums. Supervise at all times. See our KONG review.

🥕 Try cold vegetables. Some owners offer chilled carrot pieces or green beans. Cut them to a safe size and watch your puppy. Avoid toxic foods (see safe and toxic foods).

🔁 Redirect, do not punish. When your puppy bites hands or furniture, calmly offer a toy and praise them for chewing it.

🏠 Puppy-proof your home. Put away shoes, cables and children’s toys, and use a crate or pen when you cannot supervise. See how to crate train a puppy.

🏃 Burn energy. Short play and training sessions reduce nipping. See our basic training commands.

✅ Good chews

Puppy-specific rubber toys
Chilled (not rock-hard) teething rings
Soft treat-stuffed toys under supervision
Cold veggie pieces, cut small

🚫 Avoid

Cooked bones and hard antlers or hooves that can break teeth
Small toys that can be swallowed
Plush toys without supervision
Rock-hard frozen items
Human teething gels or medicines unless your vet advises

🛒 Teething shortlist

Affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate, PetBoo earns from qualifying purchases. Choose sizes suitable for your puppy and supervise.

Close-up of a fluffy golden retriever puppy's paw — Early handling of paws and mouth makes future care easier. Photo: Tetiana Sapon / Unsplash

Retained baby teeth and when to see the vet

Sign	What it could mean	What to do
A baby tooth beside an adult tooth (“double row”)	Retained baby tooth, which can crowd the adult tooth	Tell your vet. Some are removed, often at spay or neuter surgery
Heavy or persistent bleeding	May not be normal teething	Call your vet
Refusing food for a long time	Pain or illness	See your vet
Swollen face, pus or very bad smell	Possible infection	Urgent vet visit
Baby teeth still present after about 7 to 8 months	Retained teeth	Dental check

Start dental care early

Teething is a good time to get your puppy used to having their mouth touched. Lift the lips gently, rub the gums with a finger, then introduce a soft puppy toothbrush and puppy-safe toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste. Our dog dental care guide explains the full routine, and our new puppy checklist covers other early basics.

🧠 Quick quiz

How many adult teeth do dogs have?

42. Puppies start with 28 baby teeth.

When is teething usually at its peak?

Between about 4 and 6 months of age.

Should you punish a puppy for chewing?

No. Redirect to a suitable toy and reward them for chewing it.

Frequently asked questions

When do puppies start teething?

Baby teeth begin to appear at around 3 to 4 weeks, and the teething phase when they lose them usually starts at about 3 to 4 months.

How long does puppy teething last?

Most puppies finish by about 6 to 8 months, when all 42 adult teeth are in.

Is it normal for a teething puppy to bleed?

A few drops of blood on toys or in saliva can be normal. Heavy or persistent bleeding needs a vet check.

Can I give my puppy ice cubes?

Some owners do, but hard ice can hurt delicate teeth and gums. Chilled toys and soft cold items are usually gentler, and always supervise.

Why is my puppy biting me so much?

Teething, play and exploring all cause mouthing. Redirect to toys, play calmly and reward gentle behavior. See our guide to puppy routines for consistency tips.

Do puppies swallow their baby teeth?

Often yes, and this is normally harmless. You may find a few teeth on the floor or in toys.

Final thoughts

Puppy teething is messy but temporary. With safe toys, patience and consistent redirection, you can protect your belongings and keep your puppy comfortable. Check teeth regularly and talk to your vet about anything unusual. For further reading, see the American Kennel Club’s guide to puppy teething and nipping and PetMD’s puppy teething article.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.

Puppy Teething Timeline: What to Expect and How to Help Your Puppy