If you have a new puppy, depending on their age, they may have wagged into your life with varying numbers of baby teeth. Much like human babies, puppies are usually born toothless, and then grow a set of 28 puppy teeth. But when do those puppy teeth fall out?
When do puppies’ baby teeth grow in?
Starting at around two weeks old, puppies start to grow their first puppy incisors, which are shortly followed by canine teeth and premolars. By the time they’re two months old, they have a full set of baby teeth. Then you’ll notice those teeth start to fall out. But have no fear: your puppy is only losing their teeth to make room for new ones!
When do puppies lose their teeth?
Puppies will start to lose their first baby teeth around four months old, and between six and eight months of age, they’ll have lost all of their baby teeth. They won’t be toothless, though! At 2 months old, they will have started growing their adult teeth, and around the time they’re 8 months old, they should have a total of 42 adult teeth.
What are some signs that your puppy’s teeth are falling out?
Aside from noticing dog teeth around your house, you might also notice that your puppy seems a bit uncomfortable, or that they’re chewing on…well, everything. They might be nipping too, which hurts because baby teeth are sharp! This is all a sign of puppy teething, and it marks a great time to break out the teething toys. A strong chew toy or teething ring with varying chewing textures will help your adorable teething puppy throughout their teething process. You can also put a chew toy in the freezer to provide a cooling treat that reduces pain as well.
How do you know if your puppy’s teeth falling out is normal?
It’s totally normal and expected for all of your puppy’s baby teeth to fall out and to be replaced with a new set of adult teeth. While the aforementioned growth time frame is to be expected, growth can vary from puppy to puppy. The only time your dog losing teeth is a problem is if they’re losing their permanent adult teeth.
Another thing to look out for is a permanent tooth coming up in a space still occupied by a baby tooth. This is called a retained deciduous tooth, and is common in small breed dogs. The most common retained deciduous teeth are the canine teeth. If this abnormality occurs, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have the baby tooth removed, as it will cause damage to the adult tooth if it is left in your dog’s mouth.
Puppy teeth and dental disease
The crowding of baby teeth and permanent adult teeth at the same time can lead to periodontal disease, which is why it’s important to check in with a veterinarian if you notice any retained deciduous teeth.
It is not recommended for pet parents to pull their puppy’s baby teeth out, as pulling teeth can break the roots, leaving behind parts that might lead to infection.
In order to prevent dental disease, make sure to brush your dog’s teeth regularly with a dog toothbrush and toothpaste, along with following these other dental care tips.
In the event of an infection or periodontal disease, having the right pet insurance can help you pay for the best care possible. That’s why Pumpkin’s puppy insurance plans cover exam fees, X-rays, and treatment for dental disease. Take a step towards protecting your pup’s pearly whites and get a quote today!
Rachel Carp
Rachel is a copywriter and the favorite aunt of an adorable Cockapoo named Bentley.
Puppies will start getting their baby teeth as early as two weeks old, and those teeth will begin falling out by the time they’re between four to six months of age.1 When the adult teeth start coming in, they’ll push the baby teeth out. If a baby tooth hasn’t been pushed out even though your dog has grown their adult teeth, you may need to take them in to have the tooth extracted.
As a pet parent, it’s important to monitor your dog’s dental health. From dog bad breath to proper teeth development, understanding what’s going on with your dog’s teeth can help you take better care of them. This is especially important early on when dogs begin teething and losing their baby teeth. So, when do puppies lose their baby teeth, and what should you do about it? We’ll cover everything you need to know in this article.
- Puppy Teething Timeline
- What to Do as Puppies Lose Teeth
- Dental Issues from Puppies Losing Teeth
- Puppy Losing Teeth: Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Notes
Puppy Teething Timeline
Much like raising a child, raising a puppy means learning about their development and what you can do to support healthy growth. Making sure your puppy has what they need as they grow is important, and that’s especially true when their baby teeth begin falling out and they start chewing on things. Here’s a complete breakdown of the puppy teething timeline and provide an answer to “when do puppy teeth fall out?” We’ll also discuss what you need to know to stop puppy biting and other common problems.
2 to 4 weeks
During their first two to four weeks of life, your puppy’s baby teeth will start to come in through their gums. This typically starts with the front teeth, with the canine teeth being the next to grow in. The premolars, or the teeth in between the canine teeth and molars, will also start to come in during this stage.1
In many cases, a puppy will still be with their mother and nursing for the first two to four weeks of their life. In fact, most breeders won’t give you your puppy until they’re at least eight weeks old because it’s important for puppies to spend their early weeks with their mother. Of course, that’s not always possible, but you should still monitor your puppy if you’re feeding them through a syringe or bottle during the first couple of weeks after birth.
5 to 6 weeks
Once puppies are five to six weeks old, all or most of their baby teeth will have grown in.2 Keep in mind that some dogs may not have all their baby teeth by this time, and that’s not a serious problem. However, it’s important to talk to your vet about your puppy’s teeth to make sure nothing is out of the ordinary, especially if they seem to be experiencing pain or discomfort.
Now that your dog has their baby teeth, you can start feeding them soft puppy food. Soft food can help if your puppy isn’t eating during teething. Unless you have experience raising puppies, it’s best to talk to your vet before giving your puppy soft food.
12 to 16 weeks
While your puppy can go home with you when they’re as young as eight weeks old, many breeders choose to keep puppies with their mothers until they’re a bit older. If you’ve been waiting to get your puppy from a breeder, 12 weeks is when many breeders feel comfortable letting a puppy go to their new family.
12 to 16 weeks is also the time during which puppies start to lose their teeth, so you may find those teeth lying around the house.2 This is a completely normal part of dental development for dogs, so you have nothing to worry about if you’re finding rice-sized teeth in your home.
When your puppy starts to lose their teeth, it’s important to make sure they have a safe toy they can chew on. Chewing helps relieve pain when puppies are going through the teething process, and you don’t want your puppy chewing on anything that could hurt them in any way. Look for chew toys specifically designed for puppies as these are usually more gentle.
During this time, you may also want to touch your puppy’s teeth and the inside of their mouth regularly. This can help your puppy tolerate tooth-brushing and dental cleanings when they’re older.
6 months and older
Once your puppy is about six months old, they should have lost all of their baby teeth and grown their adult teeth. It may take a little longer than six months for some dogs to grow all of their adult teeth, but your pup should have about 42 teeth when they’ve all erupted.1
If your puppy is six months or older, you should check their mouth to make sure they don’t have any baby teeth left. Your puppy’s adult teeth should push the baby teeth out as they grow in, so your dog may need to have baby teeth removed at the vet if they’re not coming out on their own.
Now that your puppy has their adult teeth, dental care is crucial. Regular brushing can help slow tartar buildup, prevent halitosis in dogs, and other serious dental problems, so make sure you’re brushing your dog’s teeth regularly. It is recommended to brush your dog’s teeth at least 2-3 times per week.
What to Do as Puppies Lose Teeth
Now that you know the answer to “when do puppies lose their baby teeth?”, it’s time to learn how to help them during this time. When your puppy starts losing teeth, it’s essential to make sure they have safe toys to chew on. You want a toy that’s gentle enough for puppies but firm enough to provide the relief they’re looking for. You should also start touching the inside of your puppy’s mouth to desensitize them since you’ll need to brush their teeth and take them in for regular dental cleanings later on.
Keep an eye on your puppy and give them a little guidance if they’re chewing on the wrong things. Not only can chewing puppies cause a lot of damage, but you also want to make sure your puppy is only chewing on safe toys. Getting your pup used to positive reinforcement can also be helpful when it’s time to house train your puppy.
If your puppy still has baby teeth when all of their adult teeth should have come in, talk to your vet about getting them removed.
Dental Issues from Puppies Losing Teeth
For the most part, puppies won’t experience dental issues when they lose their baby teeth. Puppies typically lose their baby teeth as they grow, and those adult teeth come in healthy and strong. However, there’s always the risk of retaining baby teeth, which can lead to a bad bite, pain, and discomfort.2
In some cases, puppies will retain some of their baby teeth even after their adult teeth have come in. This can lead to dental issues if the tooth isn’t removed, so it’s a good idea to take your puppy to the vet if they have baby teeth past six to eight months of age.
Fortunately, removing baby teeth is a pretty simple procedure, so you don’t have too much to worry about as long as you take your dog to the vet. When your dog is getting their adult teeth, you should keep a close eye on them to make sure the teeth are growing in right and their baby teeth are falling out.
Puppy Losing Teeth: Frequently Asked Questions
When should a puppy lose their baby teeth?
A puppy typically loses their baby teeth at about 12 weeks of age, which is when many breeders will allow a puppy to go home with their new family. Once your puppy begins losing baby teeth and growing adult teeth, you need to make sure they have safe toys to chew on. Soft chew toys are ideal, and you should prevent your puppy from chewing on anything hard that could damage their teeth. Regular vet visits are also important during this stage because you need to ensure your puppy is losing their baby teeth like they’re supposed to.
In what order do puppies lose baby teeth?3
Puppies typically lose teeth in the same order, which starts with the incisors. Once the incisors have fallen out at around 12 weeks old, the canines usually fall out at about 16 weeks old. Premolars are the last teeth to fall out in puppies, which typically happens at 24 weeks old. Once your puppy is eight months old, they should have a total of 42 teeth. Make sure you take your puppy to the vet to have their teeth checked on regularly as they’re developing.
What to expect when a puppy loses their baby teeth?
When a puppy loses their baby teeth, the biggest thing you need to worry about is chewing as a result of the teething process. Like humans, puppies who are teething like to chew on things, but puppies can do a lot more damage than babies.
Once your puppy starts losing their baby teeth, it’s important to make sure they have safe chew toys available. Chewing on hard chew toys or household objects can damage your puppy’s teeth, so get them a couple of nice, soft toys they can gnaw on.
Final Notes
Puppies develop their teeth over the process of several weeks, but they usually lose all of their baby teeth by the time they’re six to eight months old. During the teething process, providing a soft chew toy is crucial. If your puppy still has baby teeth after all of their adult teeth have grown in, you need to take them to the vet to have those teeth removed. If you want to make sure your puppy is losing baby teeth and growing adult teeth as they should, speaking with a vet is vital.
Dutch can connect you with vets who can give you the advice you need for a happy and healthy dog. Dutch makes life easy with telemedicine for pets, so you can connect with vets online through video chat and get professional advice. Try Dutch today to give your puppy the care they deserve.