When Do Puppies Get Their Teeth? Understanding Puppy Teething Development

When Do Puppies Get Their Teeth? Understanding Puppy Teething Development

Learn when puppies get their baby teeth, when they lose them, signs of teething, tooth eruption order and what is normal during puppy teething development.

Watching a litter develop is one of the most rewarding parts of raising puppies. From opening their eyes to taking their first wobbly steps, each milestone marks an important stage of growth. One of the next major milestones is the arrival of their first teeth.

Puppy teeth play an essential role in the transition from nursing to solid food, learning bite control and exploring the world. Knowing when teeth should appear, how many there should be and what is considered normal helps breeders and owners monitor healthy development.

When Do Puppies Get Their First Teeth?

Puppies are born without visible teeth. During their first few weeks of life, they rely entirely on nursing from their mother or, in the case of orphaned puppies, bottle or tube feeding.

 

The first baby teeth usually begin emerging at around 3 weeks of age. Tooth eruption follows a fairly predictable sequence.

• Incisors

The small front teeth, called incisors, are usually the first to erupt at around 3 to 4 weeks. These tiny teeth help puppies begin grasping food and objects.

• Canine Teeth

The sharp canine teeth appear next. These are the long pointed teeth that give puppies their famous "needle teeth" reputation.

• Premolars

Finally, the premolars erupt behind the canine teeth at usually around 4 to 6 weeks. These help prepare puppies for chewing soft foods as they move through the weaning process.

Most puppies have their complete set of 28 baby teeth by around 6 to 8 weeks of age. 

The Connection Between Teething and Weaning

Teething and weaning occur at almost exactly the same stage of development.

As baby teeth begin erupting, puppies become capable of chewing soft food while continuing to nurse. This is why breeders typically begin introducing puppy mush from around 3 to 4 weeks of age, gradually reducing dependence on milk over the following weeks.

The eruption of those tiny needle-sharp teeth also explains why many mothers naturally begin spending less time allowing puppies to nurse. Nursing can become uncomfortable once teeth appear, encouraging puppies to rely more on solid food.

Our guide on When to Start Weaning Puppies explains this important developmental stage in more detail.

How Many Teeth Do Puppies Have?

Puppies have a total of 28 baby teeth, including:

• 12 incisors
  
• 4 canine teeth
  
• 12 premolars

Unlike adult dogs, puppies do not have molars. These larger grinding teeth don't appear until later when the permanent teeth erupt.

Although baby teeth are tiny, they're incredibly sharp. Many breeders refer to them as "needle teeth", and anyone who's had an excited puppy nibble on their fingers knows exactly why.

Signs Your Puppy Is Teething

Teething is completely normal, but it can make puppies a little uncomfortable.

Common signs include:

• Increased chewing
  
• Sore or slightly swollen gums
  
• Mild drooling
  
• Small spots of blood on chew toys
  
• Mouthing hands more often
  
• Chewing furniture, shoes or household objects
  
• Occasionally eating a little more slowly

If you've read our article on When Do Puppies Start Playing?, you'll know that puppies naturally explore the world with their mouths. During teething, this behaviour often increases because chewing helps relieve pressure on sore gums. 

Most puppies continue eating, playing and gaining weight normally throughout teething.   

What Is Normal During Puppy Teething?

Every puppy develops at its own pace, but several variations are considered perfectly normal. Some puppies cut their first teeth a few days earlier or later than average, while littermates may not all follow exactly the same timeline.

You may notice puppies chewing more frequently for a few days before settling again, or alternating between periods of heavy chewing and little interest at all.

Minor gum redness and occasional tiny spots of blood on toys are also common while teeth are erupting.

It's completely normal for puppies to mouth and gently bite their littermates during play, especially while teething, as chewing helps soothe sore gums. This natural behaviour also helps them learn bite inhibition and develop important social skills as they grow.

Providing safe Puppy & Small Dog Toys, including durable KONG toys and other puppy chewing toys, gives puppies appropriate items to explore while soothing sore gums and supporting healthy oral development.

As long as your puppy remains bright, active, continues eating and gains weight appropriately, these changes are usually part of normal development.

   

What If Teeth Are Delayed?

While there is some natural variation, significantly delayed tooth eruption should be discussed with your veterinarian.

A veterinary examination is recommended if:

• No teeth have appeared by around 6 weeks of age.
  
• Several teeth appear to be missing well beyond the expected eruption period.
  
• Teeth appear damaged or abnormal as they erupt.
  
• The gums become severely swollen, painful or infected.
  
• Your puppy stops eating, loses weight or seems unusually uncomfortable.

When Do Puppies Lose Their Baby Teeth?

Just as baby teeth appear in stages, they also fall out gradually as your puppy grows.

Most puppies begin losing their baby teeth at around 3 to 4 months of age. Permanent teeth develop underneath the gums and slowly push the baby teeth out.

By 6 to 7 months of age, most puppies have their full set of 42 adult teeth.

Shed puppy teeth are rarely found because most puppies swallow them while eating or playing, although you may occasionally spot a tiny tooth on their bedding or near a favourite toy.

Final Thoughts

Teething is a completely normal part of puppy development and follows a remarkably consistent pattern. The 28 Baby teeth usually begin appearing at around three weeks of age, erupt in the order of incisors, canines and premolars, and are typically all present by eight weeks. Between three and seven months, those sharp baby teeth are gradually replaced by a full set of 42 permanent adult teeth.

Knowing what to expect helps breeders recognise normal development, support puppies through the weaning process, and identify when veterinary advice may be needed. With appropriate nutrition, safe chew toys and regular observation, most puppies move through teething with very few problems.

To follow your puppy's development from the very beginning, read our Week 2 Newborn Puppy Development Guide, which covers the important changes that occur just before puppies begin teething and preparing for weaning.