02 Feb When Do Puppies Stop Teething? [A Complete Guide]
Raising a puppy is no small feat. Training them to walk on a leash, potty training, and socialization are just a few of the responsibilities that come with raising your new companion. However, something that is commonly overlooked during this busy time is caring for their teeth during the teething process.
Puppies have razor-sharp teeth and they aren’t afraid to use them. We have all been victim to the scratches and wounds that are associated with a new pet. So, as dog parents, we all want to know “when will my puppy stop teething?”
Most puppies start teething at around 2 or 3 months of age and stop between 5 to 8 months, when all of their adult teeth have come in. This is a painful process for them, so make sure to have plenty of puppy-safe toys available. Once they have all 48 adult teeth, it’s crucial to continuously monitor and care for their dental health.
When Do Puppies Get Their Teeth?
Puppies have baby teeth that fall out, just like human babies. At around 2 weeks of age, they begin developing a set of 28 baby teeth. Your puppy’s “needle teeth” are completely formed by 8-10 weeks.
The incisors often come in first, followed by the canine teeth and then the premolars. Each type serves a different purpose that is highly important for your puppy to grow big and strong.
- Incisors – Used to grasp and pierce food
- Canine – Used to tear food, or furniture/human skin, so watch your hands!
- Premolars – Helps your pup grind food and shear through it
Teething Symptoms for Puppies
During this time, your puppy will need to chew to relieve the discomfort from teething. This is an excellent way to start teaching them healthy chewing habits! If you catch them chewing on something they shouldn’t be, which you will, firmly tell them “no”. Be sure to gate off certain rooms in your home and keep wires or other dangerous items out of their reach.
Teething will be a different experience for every puppy. However, some of the most common symptoms include:
- Excessive nipping, chewing, or drooling
- Small blood spots on your puppy’s toys
- Swollen gums
- Slow eating
- Crying or whining
Although uncomfortable for your pup, rest assured that this is a normal process and will not last forever. There are even things you can do to make the teething experience better!
Caring for your Teething Puppy
Make sure to keep puppy-safe chew toys available and keep an eye on what they put in their mouth. Additionally, this is a good time to start touching your puppy’s mouth, outside and in. By doing this, you are teaching your puppy to tolerate getting their teeth brushed.
There are also a variety of homemade options to make your life easier and your puppy more comfortable, including:
- Slightly frozen plain bagels
- Frozen fruits
- Cold carrots
- Frozen toys
- Frozen dishtowels
- And more!
Throughout their puppy-hood, one of our veterinarians will check your puppy’s mouth to make sure everything is developing the way it should.
According to Dr. Alexander Reiter, head of the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, the discomfort of a puppy teething is often overdramatized. If your puppy is behaving normally then there is nothing to be concerned about. Unless instructed by a vet, never give your dog over-the-counter pain meds. Also avoid ice chips as this can damage your dog’s baby teeth and cause further pain.
However, if you notice that their quality of life seems to be dwindling, take your pup to your local PetWellClinic for a physical exam.
When Do Puppies Lose Their Teeth?
Around 8-12 weeks, your puppy will start losing their baby teeth, which also happens to be around the same time puppies are old enough to be adopted! This is when their baby teeth start to shed and their adult teeth emerge, so expect to find rice sized teeth around your home if you have a puppy this age. However, it’s more common that they will harmlessly swallow the teeth while eating.
When Your Puppy Will Stop Teething
Teething technically ends when all 42 of your dog’s adult teeth have finished coming in, which is usually around 5-8 months of age. By the time your dog is one year old, all of their adult teeth should have come in.
Just like humans, dogs have different types of teeth for different purposes and each one comes in at its own time. According to Dr. Alexander Reiter, permanent teeth will start to appear at 2 months old. A typical teething process looks something like this:
- 2-5 months: Incisors
- 5-6 months: Canine teeth
- 4-6 months: Premolars
- 4-7 months: Molars
Once your dog has a full set of adult pearly whites, it’s important to keep them healthy. Dogs don’t have the ability to floss or clear plaque from their teeth, so it’s important to implement a dental care routine whether it’s brushing their teeth or using dental treats. Teeth not kept clean can lead to stinky breath and even serious medical problems. For more help with your teething puppy, check with one of our veterinarians.
PetWellClinic is dedicated to being here for pet owners. Our hours of operation extend into the evenings and weekends, and our clinic environment is built with your pet’s comfort in mind. Talk to your PetWellClinic veterinarian if you need further guidance on caring for your teething puppy.
PetWellClinic provides convenient, affordable veterinary care for pet owners. PetWellClinic has locations and services built with convenience in mind. Stop by with your pet any time! No appointment necessary.
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