Preventative Care@3x

When Do Puppies Lose Their Teeth?

Sep 8, 2020 | Ask a Vet, Dog

Call the Tooth Fairy — Are Puppies Meant to Lose Teeth?

Fuzzy, cuddly, and adorable — it’s no doubt that having a puppy in the family can bring endless joy to your life! However, there is one aspect to puppies that can be a little less than pleasant — their teeth. These baby teeth are sharp like needles and can be a nightmare to your furniture, curtains, and shoes, as well as to your own arms and ankles. But remember… puppies will lose all of their baby teeth eventually.

When do puppies lose their teeth? It really depends on the breed and the dog, but puppies will generally start to lose their baby teeth at around four months old.

The Life Cycle of Puppy Teeth

For newborn pups, their teeth will typically start to grow in around two weeks old. You’ll be able to tell that your little pup is teething if they are drooling more or chewing on more things. These baby teeth can be very sharp and unpleasant. Since puppies drink their mom’s milk and then move to kibble, it may cause you to wonder why puppies have such sharp teeth in the first place. One common thought is that domestication has not fully impacted their teeth. Historically, wild dogs had to have razor-sharp teeth in order to tear into their first taste of meat. It’s also thought that sharp teeth will help with the weaning process, as well as teach bite inhibition.

Puppies start to lose their baby teeth at around four months old as their adult teeth begin to come in. Sometimes you may find that a baby tooth will be stubborn and will remain in their mouth… if this happens, you should consult your local veterinarian as the tooth might need to be extracted.

Do Puppies Lose All Baby Teeth?

Eventually, your pup will lose all 28 of its baby teeth. Due to the fact that these furry friends don’t eat much hard food and mainly drink their mother’s milk as pups, the baby teeth don’t include any grinding molars. Over the course of their teething period where they transition from 28 baby teeth to 42 adult canine teeth, your pup will gain some molars to help grind up/chew their food.

You may find a sharp baby tooth in your carpet over the course of this period; however, it is more likely that your pup will swallow the majority of their baby teeth while they eat. So, no need to alert the puppy tooth fairy!

Discomfort During the Teething Period

Just like humans, it’s common for your furry friend to experience a certain level of discomfort while teething. They may whine more than usual or chew on more of your beloved personal items. It’s important to do what you can to help ease their discomfort during this period; try to find quality chew toys specifically designed for teething pups.

Although it may be easy to get frustrated from time to time when you find that they’ve chewed up your favorite sneakers – again – try to be mindful and aware of the changes they are experiencing. Before you know it, your puppy will lose all of their baby teeth and your shoes will be safe once again!

[DISCLAIMER] Not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. If you think your pet has a medical emergency, call or visit your veterinarian or your local veterinary emergency hospital immediately.

Disclaimer: Not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. If you think your pet has a medical emergency, call or visit your veterinarian or your local veterinary emergency hospital immediately.