Do Puppies Lose Teeth? Teething Timeline and What to Expect

Name: Do Puppies Lose Teeth? Teething Timeline and What to Expect
Creator: Dr. Zubair Khalid

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-10-02

Yes, puppies lose teeth. Every puppy sheds a set of 28 baby teeth and replaces them with 42 adult teeth, usually finishing the swap by about 7 months of age [1]. The process is normal, but the timing varies with breed size, and a few problems are worth watching for.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Quick Answer

Puppies have 28 deciduous (baby) teeth that start coming in at 3 to 5 weeks of age, and 42 permanent teeth that start appearing around 4 to 5 months [1].
Most puppies have all their adult teeth by 7 months of age, though small and toy breeds often run later [1][2].
Loose teeth, a little blood on a chew toy, and mild drooling are normal parts of the process.
Baby teeth that stay in place after the adult tooth comes through are not normal and usually need to be removed by a veterinarian [3].
Check your puppy's mouth about once a week during teething so you can spot problems early.

What Happens During Puppy Teething

Puppy tooth development starts before birth. The crowns of all the baby teeth finish calcifying by about 20 days after birth, and the roots finish by about day 45 [4]. That is why very young puppies already have a full set of tiny, sharp teeth by the time they are a month old.

The baby teeth begin to erupt at 3 to 5 weeks of age [1]. Those little incisors and canines are needle sharp, which is why puppy mouthing hurts so much during this stage.

The permanent teeth are already forming underneath. Each baby tooth sits above a successional tooth bud that will eventually push it out [4]. The adult tooth dissolves the root of the baby tooth as it moves up, which is why a loose baby tooth often looks like just a crown with no root attached.

Permanent teeth usually begin to appear at around 4 to 5 months, and all permanent teeth are present by the time the dog reaches 7 months of age [1].

Puppy Teething Timeline: Month by Month

The table below shows the general schedule. Treat it as a guide, not a deadline.

Age	What Is Happening
Birth to 3 weeks	No teeth visible. Baby tooth crowns and roots are still forming under the gums [4].
3 to 5 weeks	Baby teeth start erupting. All 28 are usually in by 6 to 8 weeks [1].
8 weeks to 3 months	Full set of baby teeth. Heavy chewing and mouthing.
3 to 4 months	Baby incisors start to loosen and fall out. Adult incisors come in.
4 to 5 months	Permanent teeth begin to appear. Baby canines and premolars loosen [1].
5 to 7 months	Most adult teeth are in place. All permanent teeth are present by about 7 months [1].
7 to 9 months	Small and toy breeds may still be finishing. Late eruption is common in these sizes [2].

Breed size matters. In a study of Yorkshire Terriers, the estimated age at loss of baby teeth was about 21.9 weeks for incisors, 26.1 weeks for canines, and 23.9 weeks for premolars in a dog weighing about 4.5 kg [5]. Dentition changes tended to happen later in dogs weighing 3 kg or less compared with dogs over 5 kg [5].

A separate study of 440 puppies from 82 breeds found that both the start and the finish of permanent tooth eruption happened considerably later in small or toy breeds and in brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds [2]. So if your Chihuahua or French Bulldog still has baby teeth at 7 months, that may be within the normal range for that type.

How Long Do Puppies Lose Teeth?

The active shedding phase usually runs from about 3 months to 7 months of age. That is roughly four months of loose teeth, sore gums, and chewing.

The sequence is fairly consistent. Incisors tend to exfoliate first, followed by premolars, then canines [5]. The first permanent teeth to emerge are often the maxillary first premolars, the maxillary first incisors, or the mandibular first incisors [2].

There is no significant difference between the left and right sides of the mouth, and no significant difference between male and female puppies in the timing of tooth replacement [2].

Do Puppies Lose All Their Teeth?

Yes, all 28 baby teeth are meant to fall out. Every deciduous tooth has a permanent replacement waiting behind it, with one exception. The first premolar and the molars do not have baby tooth counterparts. Those teeth develop directly as permanent teeth in the back of the mouth [4].

That means your puppy will shed 28 teeth and grow 42. The extra 14 teeth are the ones that never had a baby version.

Step-by-Step: What to Do While Your Puppy Is Teething

1. Check the mouth once a week

Lift the lip gently and look at both sides. You are checking for two things: loose baby teeth that are ready to come out, and adult teeth coming in behind baby teeth that have not moved.

2. Offer safe, appropriate chews

Cold, firm rubber toys help sore gums. Avoid hard items like antlers, hooves, and rocks, which can fracture adult teeth that are still soft and newly erupted.

3. Redirect mouthing

Puppies chew because their gums hurt. If your puppy is destroying furniture, it helps to know whether the behavior is teething pain or something else. Our guide to destructive chewing in puppies walks through how to tell the difference.

4. Do not pull teeth

If a baby tooth is barely hanging on, it will usually come out on its own during normal chewing. Pulling a tooth that is still attached can break the root and leave a fragment behind.

5. Keep up home dental care

Start brushing early so your puppy gets used to it. Gum disease is the most common dental problem in adult dogs, and habits you build now pay off later. Our article on dog dental disease signs, stages, and what you can do explains what to watch for as your dog ages.

6. Schedule a dental check

Ask your veterinarian to examine the mouth at the final puppy visit, usually around 16 weeks, and again around 6 to 7 months. That is the window when retained baby teeth are easiest to catch.

Signs Something Is Wrong

Normal teething is mild. Here is what is not normal.

Retained deciduous teeth. This is the most common problem. A baby tooth stays in place while the adult tooth erupts next to it or behind it. In a ten-year retrospective study, retained deciduous tooth root remnants were found in 143 of 5,432 dogs, and 81.8% of those dogs had direct problems linked to the remnants [3]. The most common finding was periapical radiolucency (a dark area around the root tip on x-ray) in 44.1% of dogs, and root resorption and ankylosis in 37.8% [3]. Retained roots do not dissolve on their own, and they can cause malocclusion that affects the permanent teeth [3].

Displaced tooth roots. In rare cases, a baby tooth root can be pushed into the developing adult tooth. One case report described a 23-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel whose permanent maxillary canine stopped developing after a baby tooth root was displaced into its pulp [6]. This is uncommon, but it is one reason extraction of retained baby teeth should be done carefully by a veterinarian.

Nonvital incisors. Small breed dogs are at higher risk for dead incisor teeth. A study of 287 dogs found that class 3 malocclusion significantly increased the likelihood of nonvital incisors [7]. Untreated nonvital teeth can lead to infection and pain [7].

Malocclusion. Dental misalignment was identified in 46.7% of dogs in a CT study, with brachycephalic breeds showing a high prevalence [8]. Class I malocclusion with dental crowding was most common at 44.19%, followed by Class II overbite at 30.23% and Class III underbite at 30.23% [8]. If your puppy's teeth are crowded or the bite looks off, mention it at the next visit.

Heavy bleeding, swelling, or refusal to eat. A little pink on a chew toy is fine. A mouth that bleeds steadily, a swollen face, or a puppy that will not eat for more than a day needs a vet.

Common Mistakes Owners Make

Mistaking retained teeth for normal teething. If you see two rows of teeth, that is not a stage. It is a problem that needs treatment.

Waiting too long to have retained teeth removed. Retained roots do not resorb, and they can damage the permanent tooth next to them [3]. The longer they stay, the more likely the adult tooth shifts out of position.

Using hard chews on new adult teeth. Newly erupted adult teeth have not finished maturing. Hard chews can chip or fracture them.

Skipping the mouth exam at puppy visits. Veterinarians can often feel a retained tooth before you can see it.

Assuming small breeds follow the same schedule. They do not. Small and toy breeds and flat-faced breeds erupt teeth later than large breeds [2].

Ignoring the bite. Malocclusion is common and often underdiagnosed, and it can lead to oral trauma, trouble chewing, and periodontal disease [8].

Supplies and Setup That Actually Help

Firm rubber chew toys. Freeze them for extra soothing. Rotate two or three so one is always cold.
A soft puppy toothbrush and dog-safe toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste.
Gauze pads. For puppies who will not tolerate a brush yet, wrapping gauze around your finger works as a starter.
A weekly mouth check reminder. Put it on your phone. Two minutes a week catches most problems early.
A written record of loose teeth. Note which teeth you see coming in and when. This helps your vet judge whether the timeline is on track.

If your puppy is chewing everything in sight, that is often normal teething behavior. But if the chewing continues past the teething window or comes with anxiety when you leave, it may be a behavior issue instead. See our article on destructive chewing in puppies for how to sort that out.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

Teething timelines are averages. Individual puppies vary, and small breeds and flat-faced breeds tend to run later than the table suggests [2]. Your veterinarian can assess your specific puppy's mouth and tell you whether the pattern is normal.

Contact your veterinarian the same day if you see:

Two rows of teeth (a retained baby tooth with the adult tooth erupting beside it)
Bleeding that does not stop after a few minutes
A broken tooth with a visible pink or dark center
Swelling around the muzzle or under the eye
A puppy that stops eating or drops food while chewing

Go to an emergency clinic now if:

Your puppy has facial swelling with trouble breathing
There is heavy bleeding from the mouth that will not stop with gentle pressure
Your puppy is lethargic, drooling heavily, and will not swallow

Schedule a routine visit if:

Your puppy still has baby teeth at 7 to 8 months
You notice a crowded mouth or an unusual bite
Your puppy has bad breath that started during teething
You want a professional opinion on whether a loose tooth needs help coming out

Every case is different, and only a veterinarian who examines your puppy can tell you what is normal for that dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for puppies to lose teeth?

Yes, it is normal and expected. All puppies shed their 28 baby teeth and grow 42 permanent teeth, with the process usually complete by about 7 months of age [1]. A little looseness, mild drooling, and a small amount of blood on a chew toy are all part of the process.

Do puppies' teeth fall out on their own?

Most do. The adult tooth dissolves the baby tooth's root as it pushes upward, so the crown usually drops out during normal chewing or play [4]. You should not pull a baby tooth that is still attached, because a broken root can stay behind in the gum.

How long do puppies lose teeth?

The shedding phase generally runs from about 3 months to 7 months of age. Incisors tend to go first, then premolars, then canines [5]. Small and toy breeds often finish later than large breeds [2].

Do puppies lose all their teeth?

Yes, all 28 baby teeth are replaced. The first premolars and the molars are the exception on the other side of the count. Those teeth have no baby version and develop directly as permanent teeth [4].

What if my puppy's baby teeth will not come out?

That is called a retained deciduous tooth, and it needs veterinary attention. Retained roots do not resorb on their own, and most dogs with retained root remnants have direct problems such as periapical radiolucency or root resorption and ankylosis [3]. Your veterinarian will likely recommend removal, often at the same time as a spay or neuter procedure.

Can teething cause diarrhea or fever in puppies?

Teething itself does not cause diarrhea or fever. If your puppy has either, look for another cause and call your veterinarian. Mild drooling and a slight decrease in appetite for a day are more typical of teething.

References

Dental Development of Dogs - Dog Owners. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Time and sequence of the replacement of the deciduous by the permanent dentition in dogs and its applicability for age estimation. Anatomia, histologia, embryologia, 2023.
Retained Deciduous Tooth Root Remnants in Dogs: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study. Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2026.
Dental Development in Animals - Digestive System. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Development of Yorkshire Terrier Dentition. Veterinary sciences, 2023.
Intradental Displacement of a Deciduous Tooth Root in a Dog. Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2024.
Radiographic Prevalence of Nonvital Incisor Teeth in Small Breed Dogs: A Retrospective Study (2017-2021). Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2026.
Breed-Specific Dental Variations in Dogs Assessing Malocclusions Using Computed Tomography (CT). Veterinary sciences, 2026.