Puppy Teething - How To Soothe Sore Gums Naturally

Quick Answer

Puppy teething typically begins around 3-4 weeks with baby teeth, and permanent teeth come through between 4-6 months, often bringing genuine gum discomfort. Soft, appropriately-sized chews and treats - not your puppy's toughest, hardest chews - genuinely help soothe sore gums and redirect chewing away from furniture and shoes. If you notice retained baby teeth, unusual aggression during handling, or teeth that don't seem to be coming through properly, it's worth a vet check.

Written by Bark Yeah - the makers of Australia's bestselling natural dog treats that solve everyday dog owner problems and everyday dog needs.

If your puppy has suddenly turned into a chewing machine, working through shoes, furniture legs and anything left within reach, teething is almost certainly why. Here's the real timeline, what's actually going on, and how to help without doing any harm.

The teething timeline

Baby (deciduous) teeth begin coming through from around 3-4 weeks of age, with a full set of 28 baby teeth typically in place by 6-8 weeks - which is why most puppies already have their baby teeth by the time they come home with you. The second, more noticeable stage happens later: RSPCA Australia notes permanent teeth appear and grow rapidly between four and six months of age, and this is the stage most dog parents actually notice, since it coincides with a big jump in chewing intensity and occasional mild gum bleeding.

Signs your puppy is teething

• Increased chewing and mouthing - genuinely more intense than typical puppy exploration
• Mild drooling
• Slightly swollen or tender gums
• Small spots of blood on toys or chews - usually harmless, though worth monitoring
• Occasional loss of appetite - teeth discomfort can make some puppies less interested in eating for short periods

Finding a tooth on the floor or in a toy is completely normal - puppies often swallow their own baby teeth without any issue at all.

How to soothe sore gums naturally

Soft, appropriately-sized chews and treats. This is the single best natural intervention. The key word is soft - this isn't the stage for your puppy's toughest future chews.

• Bark Yeah Natural Lamb Lung Crisp Dog Treats - light, airy, easy to break down, gentle on tender gums
• Bark Yeah Natural Chicken Breast Jerky Dog Chews - soft and lean, easy for a teething puppy to manage
• Bark Yeah Natural Whole Sardine Dog Treats - soft, novel protein, gentle on a still-developing mouth

What to avoid during this stage: hard chews like bully sticks, goat horns or kangaroo tendons are best saved for later, once permanent teeth are fully through - offering something too hard to a puppy with loose or emerging teeth risks genuine discomfort or damage, not relief.

For a full breakdown of what makes any treat puppy-safe in general, see: What Treats Are Safe For Puppies? A Complete Guide.

When to see a vet

Teething is normal and rarely needs intervention, but a few things are worth a vet check:

• Retained baby teeth - if a baby tooth hasn't fallen out by the time the adult tooth is visibly coming through, it may need professional removal to avoid future alignment issues
• Extreme behaviour change - sudden aggression or resistance to having the mouth touched, beyond normal teething discomfort
• Teeth that seem stuck, misaligned, or aren't progressing - worth a check at a routine vet visit if you're ever unsure
  

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does puppy teething last? Baby teeth come through from around 3-4 weeks, and permanent teeth typically finish coming through by around 6 months - though the more noticeable, chew-everything phase is usually concentrated in the 4-6 month window.

Is it normal to see blood on my puppy's toys during teething? Yes, small amounts of blood from loose or emerging teeth are generally normal. Ongoing or heavy bleeding, however, warrants a vet check.

Should I give my puppy frozen treats for teething? Cold can help soothe inflamed gums for some puppies, but always supervise, and avoid anything that becomes rock-hard when frozen - the goal is gentle relief, not a harder chewing challenge.

Can I give my teething puppy the same chews as an adult dog? Not the hardest ones. Save tougher chews like bully sticks, goat horns or kangaroo tendons until permanent teeth are fully through - soft, easily-broken options are the safer choice during active teething.

Will teething affect my puppy's appetite? Some puppies eat less during particularly uncomfortable teething phases. If reduced appetite persists for more than a day or two, or your puppy seems unwell beyond typical teething discomfort, check in with your vet.

Sources: RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase - What Should I Feed My Puppy?; PetMD - Puppy Teething: Timeline, Signs, and Care Tips

For the complete picture on safely treating your puppy through every stage, see: Puppy Treats 101 - Safety, Teething & Portioning Explained. Browse our full Bark Yeah Puppy Treats range, including soft, gentle options suited to teething.