Do you have a teething puppy in your household? This is an adorable (and sometimes destructive) stage of your pet’s life. Aside from protecting your furniture legs from your puppy’s incessant chewing, there’s not a whole lot to do while your little Fido is going through the teething process. Knowing some details about puppy teething is a good idea, though. That way, you know what your pet is going through and when, and you can let your vet know right away if something seems amiss.
Newborn Puppies
Just like human babies, puppies are born without teeth. They don’t need them at this stage, after all. They will nurse from their mother if possible. If the mother isn’t available, they’ll need to be hand-fed from a bottle.
2-3 Weeks of Age
Around two or three weeks of age, little Fido’s first baby teeth will start coming out of the gums. The smaller front teeth, called the incisors, are usually the first to appear. The canine teeth will follow—these are the four long fangs. Your furry pal’s premolars are the last to appear, and they come in behind the canines near the back of the mouth. When it’s all said and done, your canine friend will have 28 baby teeth, which are known medically as the deciduous teeth and are often referred to as the “milk teeth.”
6 Weeks of Age
By the time your pet is about six weeks old, all 28 baby teeth will probably have come in. Around this time, little Fido will be in the process of getting weaned off of the mother’s milk or formula, and they’ll begin eating solid puppy food.
3-4 Months of Age
Around the 12- to 16-week mark, your pup’s baby teeth will start falling out. The adult teeth come in and simply push the deciduous teeth out of the way. You may occasionally see a baby tooth on the floor or by your puppy’s water or food bowls. Most often, though, little Fido simply swallows the baby teeth as they come out. This is perfectly normal.
6 Months and Older
By the time your dog is six months old, all 28 of his baby teeth will likely be gone, and will have been replaced by 42 adult teeth. Your puppy will now have molars in addition to premolars, which are the largest teeth at the back of the mouth that help with chewing and mashing food.
Do you have questions about your puppy’s teething? We’re here to help. Call your vet clinic in North Miami Beach, FL, today.
