If your puppy has suddenly turned into a tiny land-shark who chews everything in sight, welcome to teething. It's a completely normal stage, but those needle-sharp puppy teeth and sore, itchy gums can make for a testing few months. This puppy teething guide walks you through the stages you'll see, how to soothe uncomfortable gums, which chews are safe (and which to avoid), and, from a groomer's angle, how to keep all that chewing and drool from causing coat and skin trouble. The short version: give your puppy plenty of safe things to gnaw on, and the furniture stands a fighting chance.
The teething stages
Puppy teeth arrive and leave on a fairly reliable timetable, though it varies a little by breed and size. According to Dogs Trust, the pattern usually looks like this:
- Around 4 weeks: the baby (milk) teeth start coming through, before your puppy even leaves mum.
- Around 12 weeks: those baby teeth begin to fall out to make room for adult teeth. This is when you'll find tiny teeth on the floor, or notice a little pink in a chew toy.
- By around 6 to 7 months: the full set of 42 adult teeth is usually through.
The peak of the chewing and discomfort tends to land somewhere between three and six months. It won't last forever, promise.
Signs of sore gums
Teething is uncomfortable, and your puppy will tell you in various ways:
- More chewing than usual, on absolutely everything.
- Drooling, and sometimes a little blood on toys (normal in small amounts).
- Red or swollen gums.
- Going off their food a little, or eating more slowly.
- Being a bit grumpy or restless.
A small amount of blood on a chew is normal as teeth fall out. But if your puppy seems in real pain, has very swollen gums, bad breath, or an adult tooth coming through while the baby tooth is still firmly in place, have your vet take a look.
Soothing sore gums safely
You can genuinely make your puppy more comfortable:
- Chill their chews. A cold (not rock-solid frozen) rubber chew or a damp, frozen flannel gives lovely relief to sore gums. Supervise, and take it back once it thaws.
- Offer frozen treats. A stuffed rubber toy with a little wet food or plain natural yoghurt, frozen, keeps them busy and numbs the ache.
- Redirect, don't scold. When they grab something off-limits, calmly swap it for an allowed chew and praise them for taking it. Telling a puppy off just worries them and, as Dogs Trust notes, can make behaviour worse.
Worth knowing: Never give a teething puppy anything harder than you'd happily tap against your own kneecap. Cooked bones, antlers, hooves and very hard nylon chews can crack those delicate developing teeth. If it doesn't have a bit of give, leave it on the shelf.
Safe chews (and what to skip)
Good options for a teething puppy include soft rubber teething toys, puppy-safe chews sized for their mouth, damp knotted flannels, and stuffed frozen rubber toys. Rotate a few so they stay interesting, and puppy-proof your home by lifting anything precious out of reach.
Steer clear of cooked bones, antlers, hooves, very hard nylon bones, and anything small enough to swallow or splinter. Always supervise chewing, and bin any chew once it's small enough to be a choking risk.
Protecting the coat and skin
Here's the bit people forget. All that chewing and drooling has knock-on effects for your puppy's coat, and it's what I notice on the table:
- Drool and food residue around the mouth and chest can mat the fur and irritate the skin, especially on fluffy or long-coated breeds. Wipe the muzzle and chest with a damp cloth daily and dry it gently.
- Chewing at their own paws and legs during a teething itch can leave the coat damp and tangled. Keep an eye out for sore, licked patches.
- Face-furnishings and beards trap moisture. A quick daily comb-through stops little mats forming while your puppy is too fidgety for a full groom.
Keeping up gentle, positive handling and brushing all through teething means that by the time your puppy is ready for a proper salon visit, it's a treat rather than a trial.
Frequently asked questions
How long does puppy teething last?
Puppies start losing their baby teeth around 12 weeks, and the full set of adult teeth is usually through by six to seven months. The most intense chewing tends to be between three and six months.
What can I give my teething puppy to chew?
Soft rubber teething toys, puppy-safe chews sized to their mouth, a damp frozen flannel, or a stuffed rubber toy frozen with a little wet food. Always supervise and avoid anything hard enough to crack a tooth.
Is it normal for a teething puppy to bleed a little?
A small amount of blood on toys as the baby teeth fall out is normal. If you see heavy bleeding, very swollen gums, or an adult tooth pushing through while the baby tooth is still firmly there, ask your vet to check.
Does teething affect my puppy's coat?
Indirectly, yes. Drool and food around the mouth and chest can mat the fur and irritate the skin, and a teething puppy may chew or lick at their coat. A daily wipe and gentle comb-through keeps things comfortable.
Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. Our calm puppy grooming introduction keeps that teething-stage coat comfortable and mat-free. Book a gentle puppy groom.