Teething is a big milestone in your puppy’s life (and sometimes a challenging one for pet parents.) With sore gums and a mouthful of new teeth coming in, your puppy will need a little extra TLC during this phase. By diving deeper into what’s happening in their mouth and offering the right support, you can help your puppy through teething while protecting your home — and your hands.
Puppies begin losing their baby teeth and growing adult teeth at around 12 to 16 weeks old. By about seven months, most have their full set of 42 adult teeth. During this process, their gums can feel sore, which often leads to chewing on whatever is within reach.
“Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and during teething, that curiosity meets discomfort,” Dr. Aliya McCullough, Fetch Chief Veterinary Officer, says. “Offering a rotation of safe, puppy-specific chew toys gives them an outlet to soothe sore gums while protecting your belongings.”
Chewing is the most obvious sign that your puppy is teething, but you may also notice other changes like mild gum swelling, drooling or baby teeth falling out. Some puppies become nippier or slightly irritable — not because they’re misbehaving, but because their gums are sore. “Teething happens in waves, and it’s normal to see brief drooling, mild gum bleeding and a strong urge to chew as adult teeth erupt,” Dr. McCullough says.
To keep your puppy comfortable and your home intact, it’s key to find the right options to give them relief. “Chewing helps massage the gums and ease discomfort, but it’s important to guide your puppy toward safe options,” Dr. McCullough says. “Offer soft, puppy-specific chews so they can relieve pressure without harming still-developing teeth.” Here are a few more safe ways to help soothe your teething puppy:
Puppies don’t know the difference between a couch cushion and a chew toy without your guidance. Gates or playpens can help keep your puppy in safe zones and remove tempting items from their reach. Setting up a dedicated “chew station” stocked with approved toys can also help redirect their chewing energy in the right direction.
Teething often comes with playful nipping, but it’s important to teach bite inhibition early. When your puppy bites too hard, calmly stop play and step away for 20 to 30 seconds, then offer a toy to redirect the behavior. Avoid using your hands to play with your pup, so they don't treat your hands like toys. You may also consider using a flirt/teaser pole which keeps toys far away from human hands. Consistency and patience will help your puppy learn that gentle play is rewarded.
Never give your puppy human painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen — even small doses can be toxic. If your puppy’s discomfort seems severe, call your veterinarian. They can recommend safe options and check for issues like retained baby teeth or gum inflammation that might need professional care.
“Skip human pain relievers and topical numbing gels — even small amounts can be dangerous,” Dr. McCullough explains. “If a pup truly needs help, your veterinarian will prescribe a pet-safe medication and rule out problems like injured or broken baby teeth or infection.”
While teething is usually straightforward, some situations require professional care. Watch for signs like bad breath, persistent bleeding, significant swelling or broken baby teeth (which are more common in small breeds).
Teething is the perfect time to introduce dental care routines. Start by gently touching your puppy’s mouth and teeth so they get used to the sensation, then work up to daily brushing with dog-safe toothpaste. Pair brushing with rewards to keep it positive and consider vet-approved dental chews as a supplement.
Staying on top of routine dental care (like annual cleanings and exams) is also important because it’s linked to your pup’s overall health and well-being. Periodontal disease is the most common disease in dogs and cats, and signs and symptoms of dental disease in pets can be very subtle because they tend to hide their pain. In fact, some pet parents don’t even realize the extent to which their pet is affected by a dental problem until their behavior changes after a cleaning or treatment.
Pro tip: having a pet insurance plan with complete dental coverage is an important part of keeping your pet’s mouth clean and healthy. Not all providers offer full coverage for treating periodontal disease. But with Fetch, your pet’s gums and every adult tooth are covered.
The Dig, Fetch Pet Insurance's expert-backed editorial, answers all of the questions you forget to ask your vet or are too embarrassed to ask at the dog park. We help make sure you and your best friend have more good days, but we’re there on bad days, too.
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