When do puppies start teething?

The first set of teeth, the incisors, begin to come out at the age of 2-4 weeks. By the time the pup is 5-8 weeks old, all of the 28 baby teeth are out. ⁽¹⁾

It’s funny that you want to know when your adorable little fluffball will grow razor-sharp teeth that seem to have a personal vendetta against your fingers, furniture, and favorite shoes. But it shows that you’re a good pet parent and want to do everything possible to help your little pup in their developmental journey.

And we’ll help you with it.

Puppies and Teeth: A Timeline

Puppies go through two phases of teething during their developmental stage –

Phase 1 – Eruption

Puppies are born without teeth. Their mouth doesn’t remain empty for long, though.

2-4 weeks – In the first month, you may see the first set of baby teeth emerge, starting with the incisors. ⁽¹⁾

5-8 weeks – By month 2, all 28 baby teeth usually develop. ⁽¹⁾

Pet parents don’t usually get to see this phase as the pups are with their mothers during this time. It is recommended that you wait until the pup is 8 weeks old before you bring them home. ⁽²⁾

Phase 2 – Adult Teeth

This is a more noticeable phase that typically begins once the pup is about 3 months old.

According to a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, 87% of puppies have all their adult teeth by 7 months of age. ⁽³⁾

While we’ve told you about the timeline, apart from the obvious signs of your pup teething, you must know other signs that indicate the teething process in them. This will help you understand them better and provide timely support whenever needed.

What are the Signs of Teething in Puppies?

A survey found that 78% of puppy parents saw excessive chewing as the primary sign of teething. ⁽⁴⁾

You see that while teething is a natural process for pups, it can be painful and uncomfortable for your puppy. We’ve all had teeth problems. We know how horrible they can be. It's important to take appropriate steps to help manage your puppy's discomfort during this phase.

How to Manage a Puppy’s Discomfort while Teething?

Here are some effective tricks to help your puppy while they're teething – ⁽⁵⁾

Get some appropriate chewing toys

There are some available in the market that are specially designed for teething pups. Make sure they are soft but durable enough to withstand persistent chewing. They are usually textured to massage their gums.

Cold therapy

Remember when your dentist used to advise you to eat an ice cream after a dental cleaning or root canal? That’s because cold can help soothe sore gums. You can try freezing a damp cloth and offer it to the pup to chew on.

Diet adjustments

Hard kibble can be difficult to chew on during peak teething. Try softening dry kibble with warm water. You could even opt for wet food temporarily. Make sure they are hydrated at all times.

Dental hygiene

As the pup starts growing teeth, you’ll have to develop a dental hygiene routine. The earlier you start, the better it is. Get a gentle toothbrush and a puppy-safe toothpaste. (Never use the ones made for humans). Use dental wipes to clean their gums.

And if it isn’t obvious enough, please avoid games like Tug of War during their teething phases. You’ll not only end up giving them a lot of pain but also risk losing their teeth.

We know that you will do everything to take care of your pup during their developing stages (and of course after as well). However, despite everything, you may face certain issues.

Common Concerns While Puppy Teething

Some problems that you may encounter during your pup’s teething phase are – ⁽⁶⁾

If you do face these issues, especially retained baby teeth, you should take the pup to the vet. If not treated, it can create severe dental problems later. You should consult your vet if you see the following – ⁽⁶⁾

Congratulations! You are now a pet parent with more knowledge about your pet and their health. You’ll be able to provide them with comfort when they need it. With a proper dental hygiene routine, you’ll be able to prevent many dental problems for your pup.

However, sometimes, despite your best efforts, dogs can be affected by certain dental problems. It can either be infections or broken teeth, or it could even be cancer. And we all know that dental treatments can be expensive.

Here’s some figures to give you an idea -

How much does Dental Care for Dogs Cost?

A basic dental cleaning can cost anywhere between $100 and $200. But, if the cleaning is followed by a treatment, the costs can be much higher. Below are some examples - ⁽⁷⁾

If your dog needs anesthesia, you can expect to spend around $200-$300 more on the surgery depending on the complication. Apart from these, there may be some diagnostics costs attached. Pain medications would cost you around $40-$80. X-Rays typically cost around $250. Bloodwork will cost you around $100-$150. ⁽⁷⁾

These numbers can be enough to make a big dent in your bank account.

About 80% of the dogs develop some form of periodontal disease by the time they are three years old. ⁽⁹⁾

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More about Spot Pet Insurance

Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:

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