When Do Puppies Stop Teething? Complete Timeline Guide

Puppy Teething Timeline

Puppies go through a teething process similar to human babies, but it happens much faster. Understanding the timeline helps you know what to expect and when relief is coming.

Age	What's Happening	Number of Teeth
2-4 weeks	Baby teeth start emerging	First teeth appear
5-6 weeks	All baby teeth are in	28 baby teeth
3-4 months	Baby teeth start falling out, adult incisors emerge	Transition begins
4-5 months	Adult canines and premolars coming in (most intense chewing)	Mix of baby and adult
5-7 months	Molars emerge, teething winds down	Approaching 42
6-7 months	All adult teeth in - teething complete!	42 adult teeth

Breed Variations

Smaller breeds may finish teething slightly earlier (around 5-6 months), while larger breeds can continue until 7-8 months. Giant breeds like Great Danes may take even longer. Always consult your vet if you're concerned about your puppy's dental development.

Stages of Puppy Teething

Teething happens in distinct stages, each with its own characteristics and challenges:

Stage 1: Baby Teeth Emerge (2-6 weeks)

Puppies are born toothless. Around 2-3 weeks, the first tiny teeth (incisors) begin poking through. By 5-6 weeks, all 28 baby teeth (also called deciduous or milk teeth) are present. This happens while puppies are still with their mother.

Stage 2: The Quiet Period (6-12 weeks)

During this time, all baby teeth are in and teething symptoms are minimal. This is when most puppies go to their new homes. Enjoy this relatively calm period before the real teething begins!

Stage 3: Active Teething (3-6 months)

The most challenging phase. Baby teeth fall out and adult teeth push through. You'll find tiny teeth around the house (or your puppy may swallow them - that's normal). Expect intense chewing, sore gums, and possible irritability.

Stage 4: Completion (6-7 months)

All 42 adult teeth are in place and teething discomfort subsides. Your puppy may still enjoy chewing (it's natural dog behavior), but the desperate need to chew for pain relief diminishes significantly.

Teething Symptoms to Watch For

How do you know if your puppy is teething? Look for these common signs:

Common Symptoms

* Excessive chewing on everything
* Increased drooling
* Red or swollen gums
* Finding baby teeth around the house
* Blood spots on toys or in water
* Reluctance to eat hard food
* Whimpering while chewing

Behavioral Changes

* Increased nipping or mouthing
* Irritability or fussiness
* Pawing at mouth or face
* Chewing on furniture or shoes
* Slight decrease in appetite
* Difficulty settling down
* Low-grade fever (rare)

When to See a Vet

* Excessive bleeding that doesn't stop
* Signs of infection (pus, bad breath, swelling)
* Double teeth (baby tooth didn't fall out, adult grew in)
* Refusal to eat for more than 24 hours
* Severe lethargy or high fever
* Broken or damaged adult teeth

How to Soothe a Teething Puppy

Help your puppy through this uncomfortable phase with these proven soothing strategies:

Top Soothing Techniques

1.Frozen treats: Freeze a wet washcloth, carrot sticks, or banana chunks. The cold numbs sore gums and provides relief.
2.Frozen Kong: Stuff a Kong with peanut butter and freeze it. This keeps puppies busy and soothes their gums.
3.Rubber teething toys: Look for toys specifically designed for teething puppies with different textures.
4.Gentle gum massage: Rub your puppy's gums gently with a clean finger. Some puppies find this very soothing.
5.Ice cubes: Small ice cubes or ice chips can help, but supervise to prevent choking.
6.Soften food: Add warm water to kibble to make it easier to eat if gums are particularly sore.

Safe Chew Toys for Teething Puppies

The right chew toys can make a huge difference. Here's what to look for:

Toy Type	Benefits	Best For
Rubber Teething Toys	Durable, different textures, can freeze	Active teething (3-6 months)
Rope Toys	Flossing action, satisfies chewing urge	Gentle chewers
Frozen Kongs	Cold relief, mental stimulation, long-lasting	Sore gums, bored puppies
Nylabone Puppy	Soft enough for puppy teeth, varied textures	Moderate chewers
Teething Rings	Multiple textures, easy to hold	Small puppies, early teething

Toy Safety Tips

* Always choose size-appropriate toys (too small = choking hazard)
* Check toys regularly for damage and replace when worn
* Supervise play, especially with new toys
* Rotate toys to keep them interesting
* Look for "puppy" labeled toys - they're softer than adult versions

What to Avoid During Teething

Some common items can actually harm teething puppies. Stay away from:

✗ Hard bones and antlers: Too hard for puppy teeth, can cause fractures
✗ Cooked bones: Splinter and can cause internal damage
✗ Old shoes or clothing: Teaches them your items are chew toys
✗ Sticks from the yard: Can splinter and injure mouth or intestines
✗ Tennis balls (for heavy chewers): Abrasive covering wears down teeth
✗ Human pain medications: Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are toxic to dogs
✗ Teething gels with benzocaine: Can be harmful if swallowed
✗ Toys with small parts: Choking hazard if pieces break off

When Adult Teeth Come In

Understanding which teeth come in when helps you track your puppy's progress:

Tooth Type	Age	Number	Function
Incisors	3-4 months	12 (6 top, 6 bottom)	Nibbling, grooming
Canines	4-5 months	4 (2 top, 2 bottom)	Tearing, holding
Premolars	4-6 months	16 (8 top, 8 bottom)	Shearing, chewing
Molars	5-7 months	10 (4 top, 6 bottom)	Grinding, crushing

Retained Baby Teeth

Sometimes baby teeth don't fall out when they should, causing "double teeth" where the adult tooth grows in beside the baby tooth. This is more common in small breeds. If you notice this, contact your vet - retained teeth can cause dental problems and may need to be extracted.

Starting Good Dental Habits

The teething period is actually the perfect time to establish lifelong dental care habits:

Building Dental Care Routines

* Handle the mouth regularly: Lift lips, touch gums and teeth gently so your puppy gets used to mouth handling
* Introduce a toothbrush: Start with just letting them lick dog-safe toothpaste, then gradually work up to brushing
* Make it positive: Pair mouth handling with treats and praise
* Be gentle: Gums may be sore during teething, so use light pressure
* Schedule vet dental checks: Your vet should examine your puppy's teeth at each visit
* Consider dental chews: Once adult teeth are in, appropriate dental chews help maintain oral health

Regular professional grooming sessions often include mouth and teeth checks, helping you stay on top of your dog's dental health throughout their life.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do puppies stop teething?▼

Puppies typically stop teething around 6-7 months of age when all 42 adult teeth have fully emerged. The most intense teething period occurs between 3-6 months when baby teeth fall out and adult teeth come in. Some larger breeds may continue teething slightly longer, up to 8 months.

What are the signs of puppy teething?▼

Common puppy teething symptoms include: excessive chewing on everything, drooling more than usual, red or swollen gums, reluctance to eat hard food, finding baby teeth around the house, slight bleeding from gums, irritability or fussiness, and mild fever. These symptoms are normal but contact your vet if they're severe.

How can I help my teething puppy?▼

Help your teething puppy by providing safe chew toys (rubber toys, rope toys, frozen washcloths), offering frozen treats like ice cubes or frozen carrots, using puppy teething gels (vet-approved), keeping inappropriate items out of reach, praising appropriate chewing, and maintaining gentle training consistency.

What should puppies not chew on while teething?▼

Avoid giving teething puppies: hard bones or antlers (can crack teeth), ice cubes that are too large, old shoes or clothing (teaches bad habits), sticks (splinter risk), toys small enough to swallow, and human pain relievers (toxic to dogs). Always supervise chewing and choose size-appropriate toys.

When do puppies get their adult teeth?▼

Puppies begin getting adult teeth around 3-4 months of age. The incisors come in first (3-4 months), followed by canines (4-5 months), premolars (4-6 months), and molars (5-7 months). By 6-7 months, most puppies have all 42 adult teeth. Baby teeth that don't fall out may need veterinary extraction.

Is it normal for puppies to bleed while teething?▼

Yes, slight bleeding from the gums during teething is normal and usually nothing to worry about. You may notice small amounts of blood on chew toys or in their water bowl. However, if bleeding is excessive, persistent, or accompanied by bad breath or pus, consult your veterinarian as this could indicate infection.

The Bottom Line

Puppy teething typically lasts from about 3 to 6-7 months of age. While this period can be challenging - with increased chewing, nipping, and some discomfort for your puppy - it's a normal developmental stage that will pass.

By providing appropriate chew toys, frozen treats for sore gums, and plenty of patience, you can help your puppy through this phase. Remember that the intense chewing behavior is driven by discomfort, not bad behavior - your puppy isn't trying to destroy your belongings, they're just trying to relieve their aching gums.

Once those 42 adult teeth are in place, your puppy will be ready for a lifetime of healthy smiles - especially with good dental care habits established early!