How Many Teeth Do Puppies Have?
Like us, dogs are born toothless, but then puppies quickly develop a set of 28 “baby” teeth.
How to Care for a Teething Puppy
Dr. Reiter says that the discomfort of puppy teething is often overdramatized.
If your puppy is still engaging in normal activities like eating, drinking, socializing, grooming and exploring, then there isn’t really a problem.
If they aren’t doing some of these things, he says, and the pain or discomfort is affecting his quality of life, then your puppy may need to see the vet.
“There is not much for the owners to do during the transition,” Dr. Bannon says. “The best thing is for the owners to supply good, safe chews so that the dog can teethe on appropriate items.”
Look for puppy teething toys that are soft and flexible and bend easily in your hand. “If it is too hard to bend, flex or break, it is too hard to give to the puppy,” Dr. Bannon says.
At What Age Do Puppies Get Their Permanent Teeth?
“The permanent teeth start to erupt as soon as the baby teeth start to fall out,” Dr. Bannon says.
Dr. Alexander Reiter, head of the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, says that the permanent teeth can start to appear at 2 months:
2-5 months: incisors
5-6 months: canine teeth
4-6 months: premolars
4-7 months: molars (these only come in as part of the permanent set)
By the time a dog is 7 or 8 months old, they should have all of their permanent teeth—a total of 42 adult teeth in all.
Teething is a months-long process. It starts when puppies are around 2 weeks old and their first baby teeth start to come in and usually ends at around 8 months of age, when all the adult teeth are fully erupted.
During this time, puppies will need to chew on appropriate items to relieve the discomfort associated with teething.
The chewing during a puppy’s teething period is also a way for them to explore their environment and relieve boredom.