Do Dogs Have Baby Teeth? Everything About Puppy and Adult Teeth
Do dogs have baby teeth is a question that surprises many new puppy owners who discover tiny, sharp teeth on the floor and wonder where they came from. Yes, dogs have a full set of deciduous (baby) teeth that erupt and fall out much like human children’s teeth. Do dogs lose their baby teeth on a predictable schedule, and when do dogs get their adult teeth? The timeline is fairly consistent across breeds, with most puppies completing the transition from baby to adult teeth by six to eight months of age. When do dogs get adult teeth and when do dogs lose their teeth are essentially the same question — the adult teeth push the baby teeth out as they erupt, creating the teething behavior that makes puppies chew everything in sight.
Understanding the full dental development timeline helps you support your puppy through teething, identify retained baby teeth requiring veterinary intervention, and establish adult dental care habits at exactly the right time.
The Puppy Dental Timeline
Baby Teeth Eruption
Do dogs have baby teeth from birth? No — puppies are born toothless. The deciduous teeth begin erupting at two to four weeks of age, with the incisors appearing first, followed by canines, and then premolars. Puppies have 28 baby teeth in total, compared to 42 adult teeth. By six to eight weeks of age, all 28 baby teeth are typically present. This is the period when weaning begins in part because the sharp baby teeth make nursing uncomfortable for the mother. Do dogs lose their baby teeth at a consistent age? Most begin losing them around three to four months, when the permanent teeth start pushing upward.
When Do Dogs Get Their Adult Teeth
When do dogs get their adult teeth follows the same sequence as eruption — incisors first, then canines, then premolars, and finally molars (which have no baby tooth predecessors and simply erupt without displacement). When do dogs get their adult teeth fully in place? Most puppies complete adult dentition by six to seven months, though giant breeds sometimes take until eight months. When do dogs lose their teeth in the deciduous set? The process overlaps with adult eruption — as each permanent tooth pushes up, it absorbs the root of the corresponding baby tooth, and the crown falls out. Owners often find these on the floor or in bedding, or never find them at all because puppies swallow them during eating.
Retained Baby Teeth and Dental Problems
What Are Retained Deciduous Teeth
Do dogs lose their baby teeth completely and on schedule in all cases? No — retained deciduous teeth are a common problem, particularly in small and toy breeds. A retained baby tooth remains in place after the adult tooth has fully erupted, creating two teeth occupying the same socket space. This leads to food and plaque accumulation between the crowded teeth, increased periodontal disease risk, and potentially abnormal bite development. Retained teeth require extraction — most veterinarians perform this during a spay or neuter surgery to minimize the number of anesthetic events. If you notice that when do dogs get adult teeth appears to have happened but the baby tooth is still present alongside it, mention this at your puppy’s next appointment.
Teething Management and Oral Care
The period when do dogs lose their teeth — roughly three to six months — is intense. Puppies chew relentlessly to relieve the pressure of erupting adult teeth, making appropriate chew toy provision essential for both comfort and furniture preservation. Frozen rope toys, rubber chew toys appropriate for puppy jaw pressure, and chilled carrots all provide relief. Beginning toothbrushing with dog-safe toothpaste immediately when adult teeth are established — around six months — creates the habit before tartar accumulates. When do dogs get adult teeth fully present is the best window to establish dental hygiene routines that will prevent periodontal disease throughout adult life.
