Dogs & Baby Teeth

Baby teeth in dogs are more properly called puppy teeth, milk teeth or deciduous teeth. Puppies are not born with teeth, although very rarely some are born with their incisors already showing, according to the Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook. Puppies eventually grow 28 temporary teeth that soon are replaced by 42 adult teeth. Teething in puppies differs from puppy to puppy.

  1. Time Frame

    • The first two milk teeth to grow out of the gums are the incisors. They appear when the puppy is 2 to 3 weeks old. These are usually the first baby teeth to fall out when the puppy is anywhere from 3 to 7 months old. The other 24 baby teeth grow in rapidly. All of the puppy's baby teeth should be replaced by adult teeth by the time the puppy is eight months old, but puppies can begin shedding baby teeth when they are as young as 2 months old, according to Race Foster, DVM.

    Significance

    • This constant growing, losing and growing teeth can make the puppy's gums painful. To ease the pain of teething, puppies chew on anything they can get a hold of. To prevent destructive chewing, keep all valuables out of the puppy's reach and provide plenty of puppy-safe chew toys. Remember to never hit a puppy for chewing. They cannot help it.

    Sharpness

    • Although puppy milk teeth are tiny, they are also about as sharp as adult dog teeth. Getting bitten can be painful, and puppies can chew damaging holes into furniture. According to Race Foster, DVM, one of the reasons mother dogs begin weaning their puppies when they are six weeks old is that their nipples are too sore to be suckled on anymore. Puppies can begin eating soft foods when they are two weeks old.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of teething or losing milk teeth vary from puppy to puppy. Some cry and shed blood from the gums, but others do not seem to be bothered. The puppy teeth are often so small that they are difficult to find when they shed. Puppies only shed the part of the milk teeth above the gum line, making the baby teeth even smaller. The roots are absorbed into the puppy's body.

    Warning

    • Puppies should be checked daily when they are three weeks old so that all of their baby teeth come out. Puppies can retain baby teeth, which still stubbornly stay in place while the adult tooth grows behind it. These baby teeth need to be pulled by a veterinarian. If left alone, food will become trapped between the teeth, leading to bacterial growth, which causes plaque and then gingivitis and dental disease, according to veterinarian Dr. Debra Primovic.