Just like human children, puppies and kittens lose their baby teeth, which are called “milk teeth” in our furry friends.

Milk teeth usually grow in by the time a puppy or kitten is 1 month old and are lost between the ages of 3 and 9 months. During that time, pets, especially dogs, often have an increased urge to chew on things — all kinds of things.

Sometimes the milk teeth aren’t lost, resulting in a condition called retained deciduous teeth. These slow-to-go baby teeth can cause problems down the road, so your veterinarian will probably recommend they be extracted.

You may never find a milk tooth, because many animals swallow them — and that’s fine. But in case you find one of these small, needle-like teeth on the carpet, stuck in a toy or in your pet’s fur, you can rest assured that it’s all part of your pet’s normal growth process.