Table of Contents
- When do cats start losing their baby teeth?
- What is a cat's dentition like?
- Signs of teething in cats
- Possible teething problems and complications
- Teething: When should I take my cat to the vet?
- Tips for supporting your cat during teething
- FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
When do cats start losing their baby teeth?
A cat's baby teeth are small and pointed, designed primarily for nursing and their first attempts at chewing. A kitten's baby dentition consists of 26 teeth.
During teething, these baby teeth are gradually replaced by permanent teeth. In most cats, teething begins at around three to four months of age. The incisors loosen first, followed by the canines and finally the molars. This process does not occur at the same speed in all cats, but it is usually complete within a few weeks.
By approximately six to seven months, the permanent adult dentition is fully developed. At this point, your cat has all 30 teeth that will accompany it throughout its life – however, just like in humans, senior cats may also experience age-related tooth loss.
What is a cat's dentition like?
An adult cat's dentition consists of 30 teeth. These include:
- 12 incisors
- 4 canines
- 6 upper premolars and 4 lower premolars
- 4 molars
Signs of teething in cats
Teething in cats is usually unnoticeable. Nevertheless, there are typical signs that can help you recognize that your cat is losing its baby teeth:
- Increased chewing and gnawing: Many cats chew more on their toys during this time or even gnaw on furniture. This relieves the pressure in the gum area.
- Loss of appetite or changes in eating habits: Some cats eat more slowly, prefer softer food, or temporarily leave their dry food untouched.
- Slight bad breath: The loss of teeth or the changeover of teeth can temporarily cause a slightly unpleasant odor to emanate from the cat's mouth.
- Red or sensitive gums: The gums may appear red or slightly swollen.
- Small traces of blood: Small blood residues can sometimes be found on chew toys or in the food bowl when a tooth has fallen out.
- Behavioral changes: Some cats appear more restless during this phase, sleep more, or are more cautious when playing.
In addition to these typical symptoms, cats may also temporarily experience discomfort such as fever or diarrhea . However, if these symptoms persist or are severe, you should consult a veterinarian to be safe. For gastrointestinal problems, feeding special food such as KATTOVIT Gastro, which is gentle on the cat's gastrointestinal tract and can thus support recovery, may help.
Good to know: It is quite possible that you will not find a single baby tooth during your cat's entire teething process. Cats usually swallow the small teeth unnoticed or lose them while playing or eating. This is completely natural and poses no danger to your furry friend. As long as no visible discomfort occurs, you can therefore rest assured.
Possible teething problems and complications
Even though teething in cats is uncomplicated in most cases, problems can occasionally occur that you should keep an eye on:
- Retained baby teeth (persistent deciduous teeth): If baby teeth do not fall out on their own, they can prevent the permanent teeth from erupting and may grow toward the tongue. This often leads to malocclusion, which in turn can cause problems such as inflammation and pain. Therefore, persistent baby teeth must be extracted by a veterinarian.
- Inflammation in the mouth: Red or swollen gums are normal during teething. However, if inflammation becomes more severe, it can be painful for your furry friend. In such cases, veterinary treatment may be necessary.
- Dental tartar formation: Tartar can form even at a young age, especially if food residues stick to the teeth. This promotes inflammation and bad breath.
- Bad breath: A slight odor is normal. However, if it persists or is very strong, it may indicate inflammation or dental problems.
- Pain and loss of appetite: Some cats temporarily refuse their food because chewing hurts. If food refusal persists for a long time, you should consult a veterinarian.
Teething: When should I take my cat to the vet?
If you notice mild symptoms in your cat during teething, such as bad breath, sensitive gums, or increased chewing, there is no need to worry. A visit to the vet is only necessary if:
- baby teeth do not fall out, even though the permanent teeth are already visible.
- severe inflammation or swelling occurs in the mouth.
- Your cat does not touch food for several days or loses a lot of weight.
- unpleasant bad breath persists or becomes increasingly strong.
- Your cat clearly shows that it is in pain, e.g., by meowing frequently, refusing to play, or constantly rubbing its mouth.
A timely visit to the vet helps prevent consequential damage such as malocclusion, tartar, permanent dental problems, and inflammation.
Tips for supporting your cat during teething
Even though teething is a natural process, you can support your cat a little during this time:
- Offer soft food: Wet food and slightly moistened dry food are gentle on the sensitive gums and make chewing easier. Easily digestible, tooth-friendly special food such as KATTOVIT Sensitive can help make teething as pleasant as possible for your cat.
- Provide chew toys: Chew toys specially developed for cats or small chew sticks can relieve pressure on the gums and keep the teeth occupied.
- Regular mouth checks: A quick look into the mouth helps to detect loose baby teeth, inflammation, or retained teeth early.
- Gentle dental care: It is a good idea to gradually introduce your cat to dental care playfully even during teething – for example, with special cat toothbrushes.
- Keep the vet appointment: A check-up with the vet during or shortly after teething ensures that the adult dentition is healthy and complete.
- Recovery course: Teething can be exhausting for your cat. A recovery course afterwards can help pamper your furry friend and thus ensure greater well-being.
