If you have a puppy who suddenly turns your favorite sneakers into confetti, you are not alone. That relentless chewing, the tiny teeth marks on your furniture, and the occasional whimper are all signs of one thing: teething. It is a normal, necessary phase, but it can be confusing and messy. The big question every new puppy parent asks is, when does it end? Puppies typically stop teething between 6 and 7 months of age, when their adult teeth are fully in. But the journey to that point has distinct stages, and knowing what is happening inside your puppy’s mouth can help you survive it with your sanity (and your baseboards) intact.
The Teething Timeline: From Baby Teeth to Adult Chompers
Puppies are born without teeth. Around 3 to 4 weeks of age, their first set of 28 baby teeth (deciduous teeth) start to poke through. By 8 weeks old, most puppies have a full set of these sharp little needles. The real teething action kicks in around 12 weeks, when those baby teeth begin to fall out to make room for the permanent adult teeth. This is when you will find tiny, rice-sized teeth on the floor or in their bedding. The process of losing baby teeth and erupting adult teeth continues steadily until about 6 months of age. By 7 months, all 42 adult teeth should be in place, and the teething discomfort fades. Some puppies, especially larger breeds, may finish a bit later, around 8 months. If your puppy still seems to be chewing excessively past 8 months, it is more likely a behavioral habit than teething pain.
Signs Your Puppy Is Teething (And Not Just Being Destructive)
It helps to recognize the difference between normal teething behavior and plain mischief. During teething, your puppy will show specific signs: increased drooling, red or swollen gums, a slight loss of appetite for hard food, and a strong urge to gnaw on anything they can fit in their mouth. You might also notice a bit of blood on a chew toy, which is normal from a loose tooth. Some puppies get a little fussy, whine more, or have trouble settling down. They may also chew more on one side of their mouth. If your puppy is also vomiting, has diarrhea, or seems lethargic, that is not teething. Those symptoms warrant a call to your vet. Teething is uncomfortable, but it should not make a puppy truly sick.
Those needle-sharp baby teeth are designed to help puppies wean from their mother. The sharpness encourages the mother to stand up and end nursing sessions. It is also why those little nips hurt so much when they play with you.
How to Soothe a Teething Puppy Safely
You can make this phase much more comfortable for your puppy with the right tools. Cold is your best friend. A frozen washcloth (twisted and frozen) is a simple, safe option. Freeze a rubber toy like a Kong filled with plain yogurt or wet food. Always supervise with any chew item to prevent swallowing large pieces. Avoid ice cubes, as they can crack teeth. Hard nylon bones or antlers are too hard for a teething puppy and can damage emerging adult teeth. Stick to rubber or silicone toys that have some give. You can also gently massage your puppy’s gums with your finger for a minute or two. If your puppy seems really uncomfortable, talk to your vet about safe puppy teething gels, but never use human oral pain relievers. For more ideas on what to offer, check out our guide on best chew toys for teething puppies.
What NOT to Do During the Teething Phase
It is just as important to know what to avoid. Never yell at or punish your puppy for chewing on something they should not. Teething is physically driven, and they cannot help it. Instead, redirect them to an appropriate toy and praise them when they take it. Do not give your puppy ice cubes, frozen marrow bones, or cow hooves, as these are too hard and can break teeth. Avoid rope toys that can fray and be swallowed, causing intestinal blockages. Also, do not pull on a toy that is stuck in your puppy’s mouth if it is a loose tooth, you could yank it out prematurely and cause bleeding. Let the tooth fall out naturally. If you notice a baby tooth is still hanging in there while the adult tooth is coming in behind it (called a retained deciduous tooth), that is a reason to see your vet. Retained teeth can cause misalignment and dental disease.
“Teething is temporary, but the habits you build now, like redirecting to a toy instead of scolding, will last a lifetime.”
When to Worry: Teething Complications
Most puppies breeze through teething with minimal issues, but there are a few red flags. If your puppy stops eating completely for more than a day, has extremely bad breath (beyond normal puppy breath), or you see a double row of teeth where a baby tooth has not fallen out, schedule a vet visit. Some small breed puppies are prone to retained baby teeth, especially in their incisors and canines. Also, if your puppy seems to be in severe pain, crying out when chewing, or has swelling on their face, that could indicate an infection or an abscessed tooth. As a general rule, if you are ever unsure, ask your vet about puppy dental care for personalized advice. They can do a quick oral exam to make sure everything is coming in correctly.
Life After Teething: What Changes at 7 Months
Once your puppy has all their adult teeth, the world changes. The constant need to gnaw will decrease significantly. Your puppy will still chew, because dogs explore with their mouths, but the urgency and discomfort are gone. This is a great time to introduce more durable chews like yak milk bones or rubber toys for mental stimulation. You should also start a regular tooth brushing routine now that the permanent teeth are in. Adult teeth need care to prevent plaque and tartar buildup. If you have been dealing with destructive chewing, you will likely see a huge improvement. But remember, if your puppy learned that chewing your rug is fun, you may need to do a little retraining. Consistency with redirection during the teething phase pays off big here. For more on keeping those new teeth healthy, see our tips on brushing your dog’s teeth at home.