When do puppies lose their baby teeth?

Just like human babies, puppies also go through a teething process. We look at puppies' dental development and when their baby teeth fall out

When do puppies first get teeth?

Although puppies aren’t born with any teeth, it’s not long before those first tiny milk teeth will come in – somewhere between two and four weeks old. At this point, the puppy’s eyes and ears will be open, although they’ll still be feeding from their mother. And it’s the mother who will very quickly start to teach her puppies the importance of not biting too hard during feeding or playtime!

Teething time

It won't be long before a puppy’s needle-sharp baby teeth start to come out – in fact, by 12 to 16 weeks of age you might spot these tiny teeth on the floor as your puppy loses their milk teeth and the adult teeth begin to emerge.

As with human babies, the teething process can be uncomfortable and even painful, and your puppy will probably want to chew on everything to relieve the discomfort! Help your puppy through this time by making sure they have plenty of safe, soft toys to chew, such as Puppy Kongs or specifically designed puppy teething toys. There are even some toys you can chill in the freezer to help soothe inflamed or painful gums.

Adult teeth

By the time your puppy is around six to eight months old, they will probably have their full set of adult teeth. Interestingly, a puppy has fewer baby teeth than a human, but more adult teeth – usually 42!

It is up to you to keep these shiny new teeth clean and healthy by getting your puppy used to having their teeth brushed. Start off by just gently rubbing their gums so they get used to you handling their mouth before gradually building up till you can brush their teeth.

Talk to your vet about suitable canine toothpaste and introduce your dog’s dental routine gradually. Many prefer you use a rubber finger covering with nobbles on the end rather than a long toothbrush – but experiment to discover what your own dog prefers.

If you have any concerns regarding your puppy’s teeth, always consult your vet for advice.

Last reviewed by expert behaviourist Carolyn Menteith on 7 July 2024.