I'll never forget when my golden retriever Max started chewing everything in sight around 4 months old. Shoes, furniture legs, even the corner of my laptop charger. At first I thought it was just puppy behavior, but then I spotted tiny teeth on the floor and finally understood. That's when it hit me - my puppy was losing his baby teeth! If you're wondering when do puppies lose their baby teeth, you're not alone. Most new puppy owners miss the signs until they find those little rice-sized teeth in their dog's bed or stuck in a chew toy.
Puppy teething isn't like human teething. It happens fast and can turn your sweet furball into a tiny landshark if you're not prepared. Let's cut through the confusion about when puppies lose their baby teeth.
The Puppy Teething Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week
Puppies develop teeth faster than human babies. Here's how it typically goes down:
| Puppy Age | Teeth Development Stage | What You'll Notice |
|---|---|---|
| 2-4 weeks | Baby incisors erupt | Small front teeth appear |
| 3-6 weeks | Canines and premolars erupt | 28 baby teeth fully in |
| 12-16 weeks | Baby teeth start falling out | Tiny teeth found on floor, increased chewing |
| 4-6 months | Adult teeth replace baby teeth | Chewing intensifies, possible bleeding gums |
| 6-8 months | All 42 adult teeth in place | Teething symptoms decrease |
The big takeaway? Most pups start losing teeth around 3-4 months. By 6 months, your dog should have all adult teeth. But I've had clients whose pups kept baby teeth until 8 months - every dog is different.
Key Signs Your Puppy is Losing Teeth
- Finding tiny rice-sized teeth around your home (they're often swallowed, so don't panic if you don't see them)
- Increased chewing on furniture, shoes, or your hands
- Mild bleeding from gums (looks worse than it is)
- Red or swollen gums
- Drooling more than usual
- Eating slightly slower or favoring one side of mouth
Problem Spotting: When Puppy Teething Goes Wrong
Not all puppies follow the textbook timeline. Some issues I've seen in my vet tech days:
Retained Baby Teeth (The Double Tooth Problem)
Sometimes adult teeth come in behind baby teeth that refuse to fall out. This creates a double row of teeth that traps food and causes decay. Breeds like Chihuahuas and Pomeranians are especially prone.
What to do:
If you see two teeth in one spot after 7 months, see your vet. They'll likely recommend extraction under anesthesia ($300-$700 depending on complexity).
Late Teething
If your pup hasn't lost any teeth by 5 months, get a dental X-ray. I once had a client whose Lab mix still had baby teeth at 9 months - turned out missing adult teeth!
Common Puppy Teething Problems
| Problem | Signs | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Broken baby tooth | Visible tooth fragment, pawing at mouth | Vet extraction ($150-$400) |
| Gum infection | Foul breath, pus, refusal to eat | Antibiotics and dental cleaning |
| Misaligned bite | Teeth not meeting properly | Orthodontic consult if severe |
Pro tip: Smell your puppy's breath weekly. Normal teething breath smells slightly metallic from blood. Bad odors mean vet time!
Survival Gear: Must-Have Teething Products
After testing dozens of products with foster puppies, these actually work:
Chew Toy Hall of Fame
- Kong Puppy (filled with frozen yogurt) - $12-$18
Lasts 20-40 minutes, gums the ridges perfectly - Chilly Bone (freezable rubber) - $8
Numb gums for 15 minutes of relief - Wet washcloth (twisted & frozen) - $0
Old-school remedy that still works wonders
Products to Avoid
- Hard nylon bones (can fracture baby teeth)
- Ice cubes (too hard for developing teeth)
- Rawhide (choking/blockage risk)
Seriously, save your shoes - rotate 3-4 approved chew toys daily. The moment chewing starts, redirect to these.
Teething Care 101: What Your Vet Wishes You Knew
Having worked alongside veterinarians for years, here's what they emphasize:
Diet Adjustments During Teething
Switch to softened kibble if your pup struggles to eat. How to do it right:
- Mix ΒΌ cup warm water with 1 cup kibble
- Wait 10 minutes until mushy
- Transition back to dry food in 2-3 weeks
Pain Management
Puppies rarely need medication, but if they whine while chewing:
- Vet-approved dose of weight-appropriate pain reliever
- NEVER use human medications (toxic!)
- Frozen treats work better than drugs most times
Real Owner Questions About When Puppies Lose Baby Teeth
Can teething cause diarrhea?
Sometimes. Swallowed blood or chewing inappropriate objects can upset their stomach. If diarrhea lasts over 24 hours or has blood, call your vet.
My puppy isn't losing teeth at 5 months?
Small breeds often teethe later. But get X-rays by 6 months to check for missing adult teeth.
Should I brush puppy teeth?
Yes! Start with finger brushes during teething - gets them used to dental care and removes debris.
How many teeth do puppies lose?
All 28 baby teeth should fall out. Count them during play - you'll usually find 10-15.
Is bleeding normal when puppy teeth fall out?
Light pink saliva is fine. Dark red blood or continuous bleeding needs vet attention.
Beyond Teeth: Behavioral Changes During Teething
Don't mistake these for "bad behavior" - it's pain talking:
Common Symptoms
- Short temper with other pets
- Excessive licking of paws/objects
- Whining without apparent cause
- Sleeping more than usual
I learned this hard way with Max. When he snapped at my toddler, I realized he'd been teething for 3 days straight without relief. My fault for missing the signs.
Training Through Teething
- Yelp loudly when mouthing hurts (like littermates would)
- Immediately offer chew toy when mouthing starts
- Ignore attention-seeking bites - turn away completely
- Reward gentle play with treats and praise
Permanent Tooth Watch: Spotting Problems Early
Once adult teeth come in, inspect them weekly. Look for:
- Discolored teeth (possible enamel defect)
- Crowded or rotated teeth
- Excessive tartar buildup
- Broken/chipped teeth
Dental issues are easier to fix when caught early. That rescue pug I fostered needed $2,500 in dental work because his first owner ignored retained baby teeth.
Teething Timeline by Breed Size
Not all puppies follow the same schedule:
| Breed Size | First Teeth Lost | All Adult Teeth In | Special Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy breeds (under 10 lbs) | 4-5 months | 7-8 months | Higher risk of retained teeth |
| Small breeds (10-25 lbs) | 4 months | 6-7 months | Watch for crowding |
| Medium breeds (25-50 lbs) | 3-4 months | 6 months | Most textbook timeline |
| Large breeds (50+ lbs) | 3 months | 5-6 months | Stronger chewing power - need durable toys |
Giant breeds like Great Danes often finish teething earliest - their massive growth spurts accelerate everything.
Your Action Plan for the Teething Phase
Putting it all together:
Month 3-4
- Puppy-proof your home
- Stock up on approved chew toys
- Start tooth brushing practice
- Inspect mouth weekly
Month 4-6
- Monitor for lost teeth
- Check for double teeth daily
- Provide frozen relief toys
- Schedule vet visit if no teeth lost by 5 months
Month 6+
- Confirm all adult teeth present
- Establish daily brushing routine
- Discard damaged chew toys
- Annual dental checkups
Remember when do puppies lose their baby teeth? Between 3-6 months for most. Mark your calendar when they turn 12 weeks - the countdown begins!
The teething phase tests your patience but ends quickly. One morning you'll realize the chewing madness stopped and your puppy has a grown-up smile. Worth every chewed sandal.
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