When Do Puppies Lose Their Teeth? Timeline & Warning Signs

Found a tiny tooth on your carpet? Perhaps your four-month-old puppy suddenly has a gap between their front teeth, or you’ve spotted two pointed canine teeth sitting next to one another. It’s natural to wonder whether this is normal. Most puppies start losing their baby teeth at around three to four months old, but the order matters—and some changes need a vet rather than a wait-and-see approach.

This guide explains when the different teeth fall out, what to expect at three, four, five and six months, and how to tell ordinary teething from warning signs. You’ll also find answers to the less obvious questions: Where did the tooth go? Is a little bleeding normal? Can teething cause bad breath or diarrhoea?

Puppy Teething Timeline: From Baby Teeth to Adult Teeth

There are really two stages of puppy teething. First, the baby teeth emerge during the first weeks of life. Later, those teeth loosen and are replaced as the permanent set grows. When someone asks when puppies lose their teeth, they usually mean the second stage.

Our separate guide to when puppies open their eyes covers an earlier developmental stage, before the first milk teeth have fully emerged.

Which Puppy Teeth Fall Out First?

The type of tooth can tell you more than your puppy’s exact age. The general sequence is front incisors first, then other baby teeth as the permanent set erupts; canine teeth are often especially noticeable around five to six months.

That’s also why you should not expect to collect 28 separate teeth from the floor. Many are tiny and some disappear during meals. You cannot accurately count remaining teeth without identifying what is emerging and what is shedding.

What Should a Puppy’s Teeth Look Like at 3, 4, 5 and 6 Months?

Three-month-old puppy: no fallen teeth yet?

At roughly 12 weeks, some puppies are just approaching the tooth-replacement stage. Others may already have loosened a front incisor. If your puppy is comfortable, eating normally and has no abnormal-looking teeth, the absence of a tooth on the floor is not evidence that anything is wrong.

Four-month-old puppy: missing front teeth

This is often when owners first notice the change. A front baby tooth may disappear, a permanent incisor may appear in the gap, or the front teeth may seem uneven for a little while. Don’t tug on a loose tooth to make it fall out. If a tooth seems fractured, the gums look seriously inflamed or the puppy is struggling to eat, call your vet.

Five-month-old puppy: canine teeth and extra chewing

During this period, the longer pointed teeth may begin changing. It’s worth gently looking along the upper and lower canine positions when your puppy is relaxed. A new adult canine erupting next to its baby counterpart can leave two teeth occupying one area. That finding deserves a prompt vet appointment, even if your puppy appears comfortable.

Six-month-old puppy: should all the baby teeth be gone?

Many puppies have most or all their permanent teeth by six months, but some complete the process a little later. Don’t panic because the calendar reaches six months. Do arrange a dental check if a baby tooth is still present beside its adult replacement, the bite looks abnormal, or you are unsure which teeth are which. Veterinarians commonly assess the permanent dentition at around six months.

Normal Teething or a Dental Problem? What to Do Next

The most useful question isn’t simply “Is my puppy teething?” It’s “What exactly am I seeing, and does it need attention?” The guide below is a starting point, not a diagnosis.

A puppy who seems cheerful may still have a sore mouth. Changes in eating habits, chewing only on one side or dropping food deserve attention even without obvious crying.

What to Do When Your Puppy Loses a Tooth

If you find a tiny, hollow-looking tooth in a blanket or on the floor, and your puppy is at the right age and behaving normally, it’s usually a sign of ordinary development.

1. Check your puppy’s comfort. Are they eating, drinking and playing as usual? Is there only minimal or no bleeding?
2. Don’t probe the gap. Avoid pressing sore gums or trying to loosen another tooth.
3. Offer something suitable to chew. A flexible puppy-safe chew toy may be more comfortable than hard objects.
4. Observe over the next few days. Look for unusual swelling, painful chewing or a second tooth growing into the same position.
5. Ask your vet if you are uncertain. A photograph of the mouth can help explain your concern, but doesn’t replace a dental examination.

You can keep the found tooth if you wish. There is no medical need to save every one, and not finding any isn’t unusual.

My puppy swallowed a baby tooth. Is that dangerous?

Swallowing a small, naturally shed baby tooth is common and usually harmless. Most owners never see the teeth their puppies lose. This is different from swallowing a large chew, toy fragment or other foreign object. Contact your vet if your puppy is choking, repeatedly vomiting, appears painful or might have swallowed something other than a tooth.

My puppy has missing front teeth. Is that normal?

At around three to five months, missing baby incisors can be part of normal tooth replacement. A temporary gap doesn’t necessarily mean trauma. However, if a tooth disappeared after an accident, there is heavy bleeding, a damaged stump is visible or the puppy seems painful, contact your vet. A permanent tooth that appears absent later in development also deserves veterinary assessment.

Puppy Bleeding Teeth and Gums: How Much Is Normal?

During the usual teething period, you may see a faint pink mark on a chew toy or very slight spotting near a loose tooth. That can happen when a baby tooth naturally separates. It should be minor and short-lived, and your puppy should otherwise seem well.

Bleeding that continues, repeatedly recurs, seems substantial or follows a broken tooth is not something to monitor indefinitely. Contact your vet. The same applies if you see swelling, a visible wound, painful chewing or unusual discharge.

Does Puppy Teething Cause Bad Breath?

A puppy’s mouth can smell different while teeth are changing, but persistent or particularly foul breath should not be labelled “just teething”. Food trapped between crowded teeth, inflammation, an injured tooth or other oral problems may be involved. A retained baby tooth can also create a place for debris to collect.

If the smell is pronounced, lasts, or comes with red gums, drooling, trouble eating or facial swelling, book a veterinary examination. Your vet can tell you whether the mouth is developing normally or needs treatment. Perfumed sprays and dental treats do not solve an underlying dental problem.

Can Teething Cause Diarrhoea in Puppies?

Don’t assume diarrhoea is a normal effect of losing baby teeth. Puppies may be teething at the same time as they experience dietary changes, parasites, infections or problems after chewing something inappropriate. Teething alone does not explain those risks.

Because young puppies can become dehydrated quickly, contact your vet for advice if your puppy has diarrhoea—especially if they are very young, not fully vaccinated, vomiting, unusually quiet or passing blood. Persistent or severe symptoms, dehydration or marked weakness need urgent assessment. Don’t delay medical care while waiting for the teething stage to pass.

What Are Retained Puppy Teeth? Why Double Canines Matter

A retained deciduous tooth is a baby tooth that remains when its permanent replacement is coming through. Owners often notice this as a “double fang”, particularly in small or short-faced breeds, although it can occur in any dog.

This matters because the permanent tooth may be pushed into the wrong position, creating crowding, a painful bite or a place for plaque and food to build up. Lower canine teeth growing towards the roof of the mouth are a particular concern.

If two teeth are occupying the same position, contact your vet as soon as you notice them. Do not wait until a routine neutering appointment or assume that all retained baby teeth will fall out on their own. Your vet may recommend extraction and will advise on the appropriate timing. Veterinary dental guidelines emphasise early assessment because it can prevent avoidable bite problems.

Safe Ways to Help a Teething Puppy Feel Better

Teething can make chewing particularly appealing, but the goal is not to stop all chewing. It’s to provide safe, satisfying alternatives and protect your puppy from objects that could break a tooth or be swallowed.

• Choose flexible, puppy-appropriate toys. Soft rubber or other chew toys designed for a puppy’s age and size are generally preferable to very hard objects. Check them frequently for damaged pieces.
• Try a gently chilled suitable toy. If the manufacturer’s instructions allow it, cool a flexible chew toy in the fridge. Avoid anything frozen rock-solid against tender gums.
• Rotate safe options. Offering a small selection of different textures can make appropriate toys more appealing than furniture or shoes.
• Provide calm redirection. If your puppy begins mouthing your hand or chewing something unsafe, guide them towards an acceptable toy without punishment.
• Supervise chewing. No chew is completely risk-free. Remove toys that are breaking apart, becoming small enough to swallow or causing distress.
• Respect a tender mouth. Avoid forceful tug games or intrusive mouth handling when your puppy seems sore. Speak to your vet if they struggle with normal eating.

Some chewing is developmental, while jumping, nipping and grabbing hands also involve play and learned behaviour. If you’re dealing with both, read our practical guide to stopping puppy biting for reward-based ways to teach gentler interactions. Teething relief and behaviour training are related, but they aren’t the same thing.

How to Check Your Puppy’s Teeth Without Upsetting Them

Don’t force your puppy’s mouth open just to complete a checklist. Start with a calm moment, let them sniff your hand and reward relaxed behaviour. A very short look at the front and sides of the mouth is often enough to notice a change.

Taking a clear photo every couple of weeks, if your puppy is comfortable with it, can help you notice gradual changes. There’s no need to inspect daily or put fingers between teeth while a puppy is resisting.

When should you start brushing a puppy’s teeth?

You can begin teaching a puppy to enjoy gentle mouth handling early, using rewards and very short sessions. Introduce a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste gradually rather than trying to scrub tender, shedding teeth. Never use human toothpaste. If the mouth is sore or your puppy is actively losing teeth, ask your vet how to introduce brushing comfortably. Once the permanent teeth have erupted, establishing a regular dental-care routine is particularly valuable.

When Should a Vet Check a Puppy’s Teeth?

Veterinary checks are not reserved for emergencies. Your vet can examine the developing bite at puppy appointments and check whether teeth are emerging in appropriate positions. Arrange a prompt examination for the following:

• A permanent tooth coming through beside a baby tooth, particularly a double canine.
• A tooth that appears broken, chipped or discoloured after injury.
• Persistent bleeding, significant redness, swelling or discharge.
• Strong ongoing bad breath, facial swelling or signs of infection.
• Repeatedly dropping food, chewing only on one side or obvious difficulty eating.
• A tooth pressing into the gum or roof of the mouth, or a bite that seems painful.
• Concerns about missing permanent teeth as the adult set should be developing.

A six-month dental check can be useful, but don’t delay an appointment until six months if you already see a retained baby tooth or other problem. Your vet may recommend further examination or dental radiographs when appropriate. Treatment decisions depend on the individual tooth and puppy, not a generic internet timetable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Teeth

When do puppies lose their canine teeth?

The pointed baby canine teeth commonly loosen and are replaced around five to six months. Timing varies. If you notice an adult canine erupting while the baby one remains beside it, arrange a veterinary assessment rather than waiting for it to disappear.

What teeth do puppies lose first?

The incisors—the small teeth at the front—are usually among the first to go, often at roughly three to four months. Other teeth follow as the adult teeth emerge.

Is it normal for a four-month-old puppy to have gaps in its teeth?

Yes, temporary gaps can be normal as milk incisors fall and permanent teeth erupt. Injuries, excessive bleeding, an abnormal bite or apparent pain are different and should be assessed by a vet.

Is a five-month-old puppy still teething?

Often, yes. Many five-month-old puppies are actively replacing baby teeth, including the canines. Keep an eye on whether the permanent teeth have enough space and whether old baby teeth remain alongside them.

Should a six-month-old puppy still have baby teeth?

Some individual variation occurs, but most have largely completed the change by around six to seven months. A baby tooth sitting beside its adult replacement is not something to simply watch for months; ask your vet to examine it promptly.

Can a puppy lose several teeth in one day?

Tooth shedding doesn’t follow a fixed daily schedule, so owners may notice several changes close together. Focus on your puppy’s comfort and whether new teeth are emerging normally. Sudden tooth loss after trauma, significant bleeding or apparent pain needs veterinary attention.

Can puppies swallow their teeth without getting ill?

Yes. Swallowing naturally shed milk teeth is common and usually harmless. If your puppy is vomiting, choking, unusually uncomfortable or may have swallowed a chew fragment instead, contact your vet.

Do puppy molars fall out?

No. Puppies don’t have baby molars to shed. The adult molars erupt as additional permanent teeth farther back in the mouth.

Does teething stop puppy biting?

Not automatically. Mouth discomfort may encourage chewing, but play biting also involves excitement, exploration and learned behaviour. Suitable chews can help with discomfort; reward-based training helps teach which behaviours are appropriate.

Is teething worse in small dog breeds?

Any puppy can experience discomfort, but smaller breeds and dogs with crowded or short jaws can be more prone to retained baby teeth and tooth-position problems. Ask your vet to check the developing bite rather than assuming dental crowding will resolve on its own.

Puppy Teeth Checklist: What Matters Most

Final Thoughts: Follow Your Puppy’s Mouth, Not Just the Calendar

For most puppies, losing baby teeth between roughly three and six months is part of normal development. A small gap, a missing tooth or a faint mark on a chew toy may be all you notice. The more important questions are whether the adult teeth are coming through in the right places and whether your puppy remains comfortable.

Give them safe outlets for chewing, teach calm mouth handling, and use veterinary checks for anything unusual—especially double canine teeth or persistent pain. That combination is more helpful than trying to make every puppy follow an exact teething schedule.