Puppy Teething: What to Expect and How to Help

Puppy teething starts at about 3 weeks, when the 28 baby teeth come in, and ends around 7 months, when all 42 adult teeth are in place. The heaviest chewing comes as the adult teeth arrive.

The best help is simple. Offer puppy teething toys that bend, watch while your puppy chews, and calmly swap hands and shoes for a toy.

It can feel relentless for a few months. It is normal, and it has an end date.

When does puppy teething start and stop?

A puppy grows two full sets of teeth. The Merck Veterinary Manual states that most dogs have 28 baby teeth and 42 adult teeth.

The baby teeth start coming through at 3 to 5 weeks. The adult teeth usually begin to appear at around 4 to 5 months, and Merck says all of them are present by 7 months.

Here's the timeline from Merck's tooth eruption table. Merck notes these are averages with considerable variation, so a few weeks either way is expected.

Here's a surprising detail. Merck's table lists no baby molars at all.

That means 14 of the 42 adult teeth have no baby tooth to replace. All ten molars, and the small first premolar behind each canine, come in for the first time with the adult set.

Why does my puppy chew everything?

Two things drive it. The ASPCA explains that puppies chew to investigate the world, and to ease the discomfort of teething.

Much like human babies, puppies lose their baby teeth and feel pain as the adult teeth come in. The ASPCA adds the part every tired owner wants to hear: this intense chewing phase usually ends by six months of age.

Mouthing is part of the same stage. Puppies play, chew and explore with their mouths, and the ASPCA calls this normal behavior, needle-sharp teeth included.

So the goal is to guide the chewing toward his own things. The ASPCA puts it plainly: puppies do need to chew, and gentle guidance teaches them what to chew.

What are the safest puppy teething toys?

The single most useful test comes from the American Animal Hospital Association. AAHA's dental guidelines advise against any chew that does not bend or break easily.

That rules out several popular options. AAHA names bones, cow and horse hooves, antlers and hard nylon products. Its 2019 guidelines add that there is no strong rationale for hard chews that could damage the structure of a tooth.

The ASPCA's advice on chew safety fills in the rest. A good teething toy:

• bends or gives when you press it
• is too big to swallow, and suits your puppy's size and chewing style
• won't break into small pieces he could swallow
• gets replaced before it becomes badly worn

Watch your puppy while he chews, especially with edible chews. The ASPCA warns that dogs can choke when they bite off and swallow large pieces, and it advises limiting how much rawhide a dog gets at once.

Never give cooked bones. The ASPCA notes that leftovers like t-bones and chicken wings can splinter and seriously injure a dog.

Do frozen toys help sore gums?

Possibly. The ASPCA says some people recommend ice cubes, freezable dog toys or a frozen wet washcloth, which might help numb teething pain.

Note the careful wording: it might help. If you try a washcloth, stay with your puppy and take it away if it starts to tear.

Keep it interesting

Variety keeps a puppy on his own toys. The ASPCA suggests rotating chew toys every couple of days, and offering more of the kinds that hold his attention longest.

One common mistake is handing over an old shoe or cushion. The ASPCA points out that this blurs the line between his things and yours, so keep his toys clearly his.

How do I stop my puppy biting my hands?

Teach him how hard is too hard. The ASPCA calls this bite inhibition, and puppies normally learn it while playing with other puppies.

You can teach it too. When teeth land hard on your skin, give a high-pitched yelp and let your hand go limp. If he keeps at it, stand up and step away for 10 to 20 seconds.

Then give him something he can chew. The ASPCA recommends offering a toy or chew bone whenever he goes for fingers or toes.

Avoid slapping or hitting him. The ASPCA warns that physical punishment can make a puppy bite harder, and can make him afraid of you.

When he chews the wrong thing

Catch it in the moment. The ASPCA's approach is to say "Uh-oh," take the item out of his mouth, and put in something he can chew.

Never scold him later for damage you find. He can't connect a punishment with something he did hours, or even minutes, ago.

Supervision does most of the work. The ASPCA suggests watching your puppy during waking hours and using a safe confinement area when you can't. Learning to crate train a puppy helps here, and the same routine makes it easier to potty train a puppy.

For furniture legs and cords, the ASPCA suggests a chewing deterrent spray, reapplied daily for two to four weeks.

Should I brush my puppy's teeth while he's teething?

Gently, if at all. AAHA's 2019 guidelines note that young puppies losing their baby teeth may find home dental care uncomfortable, and that bad early experiences should be avoided.

Keep sessions short and calm, and ask your vet when to build up to a full routine.

Those early vet visits matter for his teeth as well. AAHA recommends a full mouth check in young puppies, and a closer look as the adult teeth come in.

Call your vet promptly if your puppy:

• has a baby tooth still in place next to the adult tooth coming in. Merck says the two should never sit in the mouth together, and it happens most often with the canines
• swallows a chunk of a chew or toy
• breaks or chips a tooth

Once teething settles, our guide to puppy food covers what he needs as he grows.

Questions new puppy parents ask

How long does puppy teething last?

From about 3 weeks, when baby teeth appear, to about 7 months, when the adult set is complete. The ASPCA says the intense chewing phase usually ends by six months.

How many teeth does a puppy have?

Most puppies have 28 baby teeth. Adult dogs have 42, according to Merck.

Are antlers or bones good puppy chew toys?

AAHA advises against both, along with hooves and hard nylon. A chew that doesn't bend or break easily can damage teeth.

Are ice cubes safe for teething puppies?

The ASPCA lists ice cubes, freezable toys and frozen wet washcloths as options some people recommend. Offer them while you're watching.

Is it normal for a puppy to bite so much?

Yes. Mouthing is normal puppy behavior. Teach gentle play with a yelp and a short time-out, then offer a toy instead.

Sources

• Merck Veterinary Manual: Dental Development of Dogs
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Estimation of Age by Examination of the Teeth in Animals
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Developmental Abnormalities of the Mouth and Dentition in Small Animals
• Bellows J, et al. 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. JAAHA, 2019
• Holmstrom SE, et al. 2013 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. JAAHA, 2013
• ASPCA: Destructive Chewing
• ASPCA: Mouthing, Nipping and Biting in Puppies
• ASPCA: Position Statement on Dog Chews/Treats

This article is for general information and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own puppy — they know the animal in front of them.