Puppy Teething: What to Expect and How to Help Your Puppy Through It

At Summit Veterinary Care, we are proud to serve the Northern Virginia community with compassionate, high-quality veterinary care in a warm and welcoming environment. One of the most common questions we hear from new puppy owners is about chewing: what’s normal, what’s not, and how long it lasts. The answer often comes down to one very natural process: teething.

While puppy teething can be frustrating at times, it’s a normal developmental stage; and with the right support, it’s something you and your puppy can get through successfully together.

When Does Teething Start?

Puppies begin teething early in life as their baby teeth (deciduous teeth) start to fall out and adult teeth come in.

Typical timeline:

3 – 6 weeks: Baby teeth begin erupting
3 – 4 months: Teething begins in earnest
4 – 6 months: Adult teeth replace baby teeth
6 – 7 months: Most puppies have a full set of adult teeth

During this period, chewing behavior often increases significantly.

Why Teething Causes So Much Chewing

Teething can be uncomfortable for puppies. As adult teeth push through the gums, puppies may experience:

Gum soreness or pressure
Itching sensations in the mouth
Mild inflammation or sensitivity

Chewing helps relieve this discomfort, which is why puppies often seek out anything they can gnaw on—including furniture, shoes, and hands.

Common Signs of Teething

You may notice:

Increased chewing or biting behavior
Drooling more than usual
Swollen or slightly red gums
Mild irritability or restlessness
Baby teeth occasionally falling out (you may or may not see them)

Some puppies may also have a temporary decrease in appetite if their mouths are sore.

Safe and Effective Chewing Outlets

The key to managing teething is redirecting chewing to appropriate items.

Good options include:

Soft rubber chew toys
Puppy-specific teething toys
Frozen washcloths (supervised use)
Food-stuffed toys or puzzles
Ice cubes (for some puppies, under supervision)

Rotating toys regularly helps keep your puppy engaged and prevents boredom.

What to Avoid

Some items can be dangerous or damaging during teething:

Hard bones or antlers (can fracture developing teeth)
Household items like shoes or furniture
Cooked bones
Very hard nylon toys that are too rigid for puppy teeth

If you’re unsure whether a toy is safe, we’re happy to help guide you.

Managing Biting Behavior

Puppy biting is extremely common during teething. It’s usually not aggression, but rather exploration and discomfort relief.

Helpful strategies include:

Redirecting to an appropriate chew toy immediately
Ending play briefly if biting becomes too rough
Rewarding gentle play and calm behavior
Avoiding rough hand play that encourages mouthing

Consistency is key, since puppies are constantly learning what is and isn’t appropriate.

Supporting Oral Comfort at Home

You can help soothe teething discomfort by:

Offering cold or frozen toys
Providing gentle gum massages if your puppy tolerates it
Keeping a variety of textures available for chewing
Maintaining a predictable routine to reduce stress

Teething passes more comfortably when puppies have appropriate outlets.

When Teething Needs Veterinary Attention

While teething is normal, there are times when we may want to take a closer look:

Persistent bleeding or significant swelling
Retained baby teeth (adult teeth erupting without baby teeth falling out)
Severe pain or refusal to eat
Bad odor or signs of infection in the mouth

Retained baby teeth, in particular, can lead to crowding and dental disease if not addressed.

Building Healthy Dental Habits Early

Teething is also a great time to start building positive associations with oral care.

You can gently introduce:

Tooth brushing with pet-safe toothpaste
Handling of the mouth and lips
Routine dental check-ups

Starting early helps make future dental care much easier.

A Temporary Stage with Long-Term Impact

Puppy teething can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t last forever. With patience, consistency, and the right tools, most puppies transition smoothly into adult teeth and more predictable chewing behavior.

At Summit Veterinary Care, we’re here to support you through every stage of your puppy’s development: from those first baby teeth to lifelong dental health.

A strong start leads to a healthier smile for life.