Wednesday, March 27, 2024
HomeKittenHow Long Do Kittens Teeth

How Long Do Kittens Teeth

Month : Your Kitten Will Sleep More

Learn How Baby Kittens Grow: 0-8 Weeks!

Still very much a baby, but growing into a young adolescent, your kitten will start to sleep more during the day just like an adult cat does. Expect more than half the day to be filled with cat naps, so try to have a comfy cat bed in your kitten’s favorite spot.

When your kitten isn’t sleeping, it will still be exploring and playing, but its confidence level will be higher than when it was just a toddler. It will also be more coordinated as a young adolescent and will demonstrate just how social it wants to be with you. Socialization and bonding time has always been important to your growing kitten, but at this age, your hard work will have finally paid off and you may see your kitten starting to snuggle with you voluntarily.

If you have not already had your female kitten spayed and it has spent time with an intact male cat, then there is a chance that your kitten is pregnant. Cats can get pregnant as young as six months of age so it’s very important to get your female kitten spayed if you don’t want more kittens.

The Spruce / Elnora Turner

Do Kittens Lose Their Teeth

ByJim McCauleypublished 30 March 22

If you’re wondering, “Do kittens lose their teeth?”, we’re here with all the answers you need

“Do kittens lose their teeth?” is the sort of question you can find yourself pondering even if you’ve owned plenty of kittens. Kittens are tiny, their teeth are even tinier, and they rarely stay still long enough for you to tell if they’ve lost any. And while we’re a species that grows a set of baby teeth that fall out in childhood to be replaced by adult teeth, is that necessarily true of cats?

Cats learn to hunt at a very early age, and can start hunting themselves from between eight and 16 weeks. You’d expect they’d need adult teeth to do that properly, so surely there’s not even time to get through a set of baby teeth, right? So, do kittens lose their teeth? Let’s find out, and along the way we can talk about things like kitten teething and come up with at least one possible answer to another question: why is my cat drooling?

Ways To Promote Good Dental Health

Brushing your pets teeth with a kitten-sized toothbrush and pet-safe tooth paste, like those found in Arm & Hammer Dental Fresh Breath Kitten Dental Kit, is an important part of their daily health routine. But teething is not a good time to do that, Dr. Eldredge says. If you want to keep up the habit, let your kitten lick a little pet toothpaste off of your finger. Dont try to use even a very soft brush or a rubber finger brush. You dont want your kitten to associate dental care with any sort of pain.

You should check your kittens mouth at least weekly, Dr. Eldredge says. Gently open their mouth to look inside. You want to spot any retained baby teeth. If you see a double tooth for more than a few days, call your veterinarian. The residual deciduous tooth may need to be pulled. Baby teeth that remain in place can change the eruption of the adult teeth below them or prevent eruption altogether, leading to a very sore gum area.

Luckily, most cats have good bites. That means that their teeth meet in a normal overlap, with the top teeth just in front of the bottom ones, Dr. Eldredge says. Unusual bites, such as overbites or under bites , that are seen in some dogs are not as common in cats. Still, cats with shortened faces, such as Persians, may have an off bite. Your veterinarian will check your kittens mouth on all of their well kitten visits.

Recommended Reading: Can A Cat Scan Detect Lung Cancer

Kitten Teething: 5 Tips To Stop Kitten Biting

Do kittens teethe? Kittens start losing their baby teeth around 9 weeks of age, and from that time until their adult teeth are fully grown in at 5 to 6 months, you can count on lots of chewing action. In fact, like teething babies, teething kittens will bite and chew on anything including human toes and fingers to ease the discomfort they feel. This is why kitten teething is a perfect time to teach your kitten to stop chewing on things she shouldnt. Here are a few tips to help kitten teething and stop misdirected kitten biting.

How Do You Punish A Cat For Attacking Me

Cat Dental Exams: What You Need to Know About Cat Teeth Cleaning ...

At the very least they tend to make the cat wary of your approach. Instead whenever the cat begins to swat or play attack immediately stop the play by walking away or by using some non-physical form of punishment such as a water sprayer can of compressed air cap gun hand held alarm or perhaps a loud hiss.

Recommended Reading: How To Stop My Cat From Peeing On Clothes

How To Prevent The Need For An Extraction

In some cases, cat tooth extraction can be prevented. If your cat has periodontal disease, brushing their teeth and making sure they have an annual dental cleaning can help prevent tooth loss.

If your cat’s tooth is broken and you don’t want it removed, ask your vet about the possibility of having a root canal done in order to save the tooth. If they don’t perform root canals, ask for a referral to a veterinary dentist.

In conditions of feline stomatitis or tooth resorption, early intervention and a strong partnership with your vet can sometimes prevent the need for a tooth extraction but any conditions that are painful should be treated immediately.

Give Your Kitten Safe Things To Chew On

Offer your kitten a cloth toy or braided rope to chew on. You can also buy a range of kitten teething toys, from catnip-based ones to soft nylon toys so they can exercise their teeth safely. Putting these in the freezer can also help ease your kittens gums and give them something new and interesting to chew on. Make sure these toys and distractions are close by so you can call on them when needed.

Read Also: Why Does My Cat Bite My Nose

When Does Kitten Teething Typically Start

Kittens, like human babies, are born without teeth. Only the gum surface is visible. This allows them to nurse without hurting the mother.

There are two stages to teething. The first is when the kitten gets in his baby teeth and the second is when the baby teeth fall out and your kitten gets his adult teeth. Things happen quickly in kittens as compared to humans.

When a kitten reaches 25 to 30 days of age, their deciduous or temporary teeth start to break through the gums. This is referred to as erupting. The exact age for this will differ amongst breeds and can even vary within kittens of the same litter.

Kittens have a total of 26 deciduous teeth by the time they reach 45 days of age . The first teeth to break through are the incisors which are at the top front of the upper and lower jaws. These can begin as early as 14 21 days but often are closer to 30 days. After this the needle like canine teeth appear between days 30 and 45. The teeth behind them in the back of the mouth are the premolars and molars and come in between days 21 and 45.

The second phase of teething is when the adult teeth start coming in which generally starts around 8 weeks of age and most breeds show permanent teeth at 6 to 7 months of age.

Teething is often worst between 12 and 20 weeks of age.

What Are Some Signs That Kittens Are Teething

Is Your Kitten Losing Teeth? | Two Crazy Cat Ladies

Some signs that may indicate that your kitten has entered the teething stage include:

  • Vocalizing more, from small to loud meows
  • Increased chewing, especially on soft items
  • Drooling
  • Hesitant to bite at or shake toys
  • Pawing at mouth
  • Bad breath
  • Gingivitis

Most of these symptoms should not be a cause for concern. However, you should still monitor your kitten. If your cat loses significant weight because of a lack of appetite, for example, it’s a good idea to contact your vet. And while mild bleeding in the gums is normal, you should contact your veterinarian if there is excessive bleeding as this could be a sign of dental issues.

You May Like: Feral Cat Spay And Neuter Clinic

Tips To Keep In Mind About Kitten Teething

Now that weve answered the question, do kittens lose their teeth, and talked about what happens when your kitten starts losing their teeth, its important to know what to do when your kitten starts teething. By knowing the tips below, you can help make this process as comfortable as possible for your pet.

Follow these kitten teething tips to set your pet up for success:

Bringing A New Kitten Home Is Exciting However It Can Also Feel Quite Daunting Being Responsible For Your Four

Just like us, kittens are born without teeth. Their baby teeth start to appear when theyre 3 weeks old and all 26 baby teeth should have come through fully by the time theyre 6 weeks old.

Adult teeth begin to appear when theyre 3 months old. At the same time, their baby teeth start to fall out, and you could see some signs that theyre teething. All 30 adult teeth should have appeared by around 6-7 months old.

Read Also: Low Cost Spay And Neuter For Cats

Do Kittens Suffer From Teething Problems

While the teething process isn’t exactly painless, many kittens will take it in their stride while others may find things a little more challenging. Having sharp teeth erupting through your gums can’t be much fun, and your kitten may well react by eating less or starting to chew things. During teething it might also drool and paw at its mouth, its gums may look sore and inflamed and it may be a more grumpy kitten than usual.

These are all natural reactions to teething that should pass once your kitten’s teeth have come through. However that’s not to say you shouldn’t try to help your kitten out in order to make the teething process less traumatic for it. Providing it with one of the best kitten teething toys can help relieve any discomfort, and they should also stop it chewing things that it shouldn’t, such as electrical cables, plants and furniture. And while you’re naturally treating your fluffball to the best kitten food, you’re feeding it dry food then softening it with water will make mealtimes happier for it alternatively, consider switching to the best wet cat food.

As we’ve said, teething’s no fun and your kitten may not enjoy it, but as always, if it seems like your kitten’s in a lot more pain than it should be, you should err on the side of caution and take it to the vet to be checked out.

What Is A Persistent Tooth

How Many Teeth Do Cats Have?: Cat Teeth Guide

A persistent tooth occurs when the tooth root of a deciduous tooth is either incompletely resorbed or it did not resorb at all and as a result, does not fall out. When this happens, the baby tooth occupies the place in the mouth that is meant for the permanent tooth, forcing the permanent tooth to erupt at an abnormal angle or in an abnormal position. The end result is often crowding or malposition of the tooth, causing an abnormal bite .

Also Check: How Many Calories Should A Cat Eat Each Day

Month : Transition Your Kitten To Adult Cat Food

Making the switch from kitten to adult food can occur at any time now. This transition should be a slow one though, and careful thought should go into which adult food you want to feed your kitten.

Be sure to choose a high-quality, meat-based adult cat food for your kitten. Your veterinarian may have specific brand recommendations for you but otherwise, look for a major brand that is formulated for adult cats and has the AAFCO seal on the package. These things all indicate that the food is a good choice. Major food brands have quality control, customer service, veterinarians on staff, and high-quality ingredients. Generic or store-brand foods may have lower quality ingredients and do not provide proper nutrition to your kitten. The food you choose should also list meat as the first ingredient since cats are carnivores.

Slowly mix the remaining kitten food you have with the new adult cat food. Allow there to eventually be more adult cat food then there is kitten food. This transition should take at least a week to decrease the likelihood of dietary-induced diarrhea and during this time, you should also monitor your kitten’s appetite to ensure it’s still eating the adult food and not just picking out the kitten food.

Why Do Kittens Lose Their Teeth

Kittens lose their teeth because their adult teeth are growing underneath their baby teeth. It is a similar process to what we are used to with human kids. The larger adult tooth pushes against the baby tooth, which makes it loose. Over time, the baby tooth moves out of place and is replaced by the adult tooth.

It might seem concerning to have a kitten with teeth falling out, but this is normal! Baby teeth are not as strong or as big as adult teeth. On average, kittens have about 26 temporary teeth that fall out by the age of six months.

Also Check: Best Allergy Pills For Cats

Kitten Teething: An Age Timeline

A kitten’s baby teeth, also known as milk or deciduous teeth, first break through when a cat is about 3 or 4 weeks old. The incisors and primary canines come in first, according to Pet Health Network, with the others following in quick succession.

These baby teeth all fall out by the age of 3 to 4 months, making room for the adult teeth to then pop up. Typically, all adult teeth are in place by the time a kitten is 6 months old. Most adult cats have 26 baby teeth and 30 adult teeth.

How Do Kittens Lose Their Baby Teeth

All About Kittens: Kitten Growth Stages & Milestones!

Having a kitten in the home is always exciting, but its also a ton of work. While most new pet parents know the basics of cat care, many realities of raising a kitten come as a surprise. This is especially true when it comes to dental care. Cats lose their baby teeth just like we do. And while the process occurs naturally, there are still a few things you should know to ensure your kittens adult teeth come in without issue. When do kittens lose their baby teeth? Do they teethe like babies do? And how can you help them during the process? Read on to learn more.

Read Also: How To Introduce Two Male Cats

Caring For A Toothless Cat

In the case where a full mouth extraction is necessary, know that your cat can still lead a happy and healthy life including properly eating. Despite common misconceptions, cats without teeth can even still eat dry kibble. Cats missing their teeth, either as a result of old age and them falling out more naturally or because of a full mouth extraction, can continue to be their old selves be sure to ask your vet for any additional care recommendations.

It’s understandable to feel nervous about your beloved cat getting surgery, but rest assured that most cats handle tooth extraction extremely well. Your kitty will feel much better without an achy tooth.

Is There Anything Else I Should Know

In addition to regular tooth brushing, it is important to check your kitten’s mouth every week until about seven to eight months of age to ensure that her teeth are growing normally and in the appropriate position. If you notice any persistent teeth, or if you suspect your kitten has an abnormal bite , take her to your family veterinarian immediately for an oral examination.

Contributors: Lorraine Hiscox DVM FAVD Dip. AVDC Jan Bellows, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, ABVP

You May Like: How To Take Care Of Your Cat

Signs Your Kitten Is Teething:

  • Missing teeth you may come across lost teeth on your floor or never find them at all. Dont worry, its common for kittens to swallow their baby teeth and is not a health concern
  • Pawing at the mouth and shaking their heads your kitten may be trying to dislodge a loose tooth
  • Increased chewing eases some of the pressure from the teeth emerging
  • Kitten is more irritable they may be grumpy because of their sore mouth and gums
  • Reduced appetite try feeding your kitten canned food which is much easier for them to chew
  • Slight gum bleeding you may see specks of blood in their food or water bowls
  • Face sensitivity discomfort when you touch their face
  • a common sign that your cat is experiencing oral discomfort

How To Care For Your Cats Teeth:

Kitten Teething: Things you need to know
  • Regularly give your cat either raw chicken necks or wings, chunky pieces of raw beef which the cat really has to gnaw on.
  • Regularly clean your cats teeth. You will need to purchase a special cat toothpaste from your vet. Never use human toothpaste on cats. It is a good idea to start cleaning your cats teeth from as early an age as possible.
  • Regularly check your cats teeth for signs of disease such as red and inflamed gums, bad breath, tartar on the teeth, missing teeth etc. If you notice anything, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Read Also: Why Do Cats Lay In The Sun

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular