Puppy teething is a natural developmental process that begins around three weeks of age and typically concludes by six months when all adult teeth have erupted. During this period, puppies experience significant oral discomfort that drives them to chew on virtually everything — furniture, shoes, hands, and anything else within reach. Understanding the teething timeline and having effective remedies on hand can make this phase far more manageable for both you and your puppy.
The Puppy Teething Timeline
Puppies are born without teeth. Their deciduous (baby) teeth — also called milk teeth or puppy teeth — begin emerging around three weeks of age, and by six to eight weeks, all 28 baby teeth are usually in place. This first round of teething is relatively mild and usually occurs before most owners even bring their puppy home.
The second, more intense phase of teething begins around three to four months of age, when the puppy’s permanent adult teeth start pushing up through the gums and the baby teeth begin to fall out. This process continues until approximately six months of age, when the full set of 42 adult teeth should be fully erupted. The molars are typically the last to come in and may cause the most discomfort.
During the heavy teething phase (months three through six), expect your puppy to chew constantly, drool more than usual, have slightly swollen or red gums, lose baby teeth (often swallowed with food — this is normal), and occasionally show mild reluctance to eat hard kibble. Some puppies are also temporarily more irritable during this period.
Signs Your Puppy Is Teething
Even new pet owners can usually spot the signs of puppy teething fairly easily:
- Chewing everything: Puppies chew instinctively to relieve gum pressure. If your puppy is gnawing on table legs, shoes, remote controls, and your ankles with equal enthusiasm, teething is likely the culprit.
- Finding baby teeth: You may discover tiny teeth on the floor, in the puppy’s bedding, or notice gaps in your puppy’s smile. Baby teeth are often swallowed during meals without any issue.
- Bloody saliva or toys: A small amount of blood on chew toys is normal when a baby tooth is being pushed out by an incoming adult tooth. Significant bleeding or swelling warrants a vet visit.
- Drooling more than usual: The teething process can increase saliva production as the body tries to soothe irritated gum tissue.
- Reluctance to eat hard food: Sore gums may cause a puppy to eat more slowly or show less enthusiasm for crunchy kibble.
Effective Puppy Teething Remedies
The goal of teething remedies is to redirect the puppy’s chewing drive toward appropriate items while soothing gum discomfort. Here are the most effective approaches:
Cold and frozen chews: Cold temperatures are one of the best natural remedies for teething pain. Wet a clean washcloth, twist it into a rope shape, and freeze it. Give the frozen cloth to your puppy to chew — the cold reduces inflammation and the texture massages sore gums. You can also freeze chicken broth in ice cube trays or Kong toys for a tasty, soothing treat.
Rubber chew toys: Durable rubber toys like Kongs, Nylabones, and similar products are specifically designed for teething puppies. Choose toys rated for puppies rather than adult dogs, as they are the appropriate hardness for developing teeth. Avoid toys that are so hard a fingernail cannot leave an indent — these are too rigid for puppy teeth and can cause fractures.
Bully sticks and natural chews: Single-ingredient natural chews such as bully sticks, beef tendons, and raw meaty bones provide mental stimulation and satisfying chewing action. Always supervise your puppy with natural chews to prevent choking.
Puppy teething rings: Many pet stores carry silicone or rubber teething rings designed specifically for puppies. Some can be chilled in the refrigerator for added relief.
Redirecting and positive reinforcement: When your puppy chews something inappropriate, redirect them immediately to an approved chew toy and praise them warmly when they take it. Consistent redirection teaches puppies that their chewing energy belongs on appropriate items, not household objects.
What to Avoid During Puppy Teething
Some common mistakes can worsen teething discomfort or create safety hazards:
- Hard bones and antlers: Deer antlers, cow hooves, and very hard bones can fracture puppy teeth. Save these for fully adult dogs with mature teeth.
- Ice cubes alone: Plain ice cubes can be too hard and cause tooth fractures in young puppies. Stick to frozen cloth or frozen food-based treats instead.
- Human teething gel: Products formulated for human babies, including those containing benzocaine or lidocaine, can be toxic to dogs. Never use human oral gels on pets.
- Punishment for chewing: Scolding a teething puppy for chewing is counterproductive — they are acting on a biological drive they cannot control. Focus on management and redirection instead.
When to See a Veterinarian
Most teething is uneventful, but a few situations warrant a vet visit. Contact your veterinarian if you notice retained baby teeth (a baby tooth that has not fallen out after the adult tooth has erupted), significant swelling or bleeding, your puppy is refusing to eat for more than a day or two, or you notice any crooked teeth or bite problems emerging. Retained deciduous teeth are the most common teething complication in puppies, particularly in small and toy breeds, and can interfere with the proper positioning of adult teeth if not extracted promptly.