Teething begins in kittens at about 10 weeks to 6 months of age, beginning with the primary incisors being replaced by their permanent counterparts. By the time the average kitten reaches 6-7 months of age, all 30 adult teeth will have erupted.
Cats begin losing their baby teeth at around 12 weeks or 3 months. Although the timing varies between animals as much as it does among humans, the average kitten will have lost all her baby teeth by between 6 and 9 months old.
Yes! Between about three and six months of age, your kitten will lose her deciduous (or "baby") teeth as her adult teeth come in. The teeth you find will be tiny, and often are just a hollow shell. This is normal, because her body has resorbed the root of the baby teeth to allow them to fall out more easily.
Kitten Teeth
Around 4-7 months of age, permanent (adult) teeth will start replacing the baby teeth. You may never even see the teeth as your kitten loses them, as they are often lost during mealtime or through play.
The incisor teeth are the first ones to fall out, between 11 and 16 weeks of age, followed by the canine teeth at 12 to 20 weeks of age, then the premolar teeth at 16-20 weeks of age.
If her canine tooth actually fell out on its own, that can signify some significant periodontal disease, and that should probably be looked at by a veterinarian. That may be causing her vomiting, or there may be another reason.
These teeth start to fall out at about 11 weeks of age and are replaced by 30 adult permanent teeth. This stage is normal for kittens and is part of growing up. However, once the adult teeth come in, it is not normal for them to come out. They should remain in the cat's mouth well into adulthood and beyond.
In cats, healthy teeth are generally white. Any variation in color indicates issues in oral health or tooth damage. Severe dental diseases can also change the color of a cat's teeth.
At age one, most puppies and kittens have white teeth with no signs of wear. From age one to two, your cat or dog may begin to look a little yellow, and tartar may appear. Plaque turns into tartar, a hard brown deposit, when it remains on the teeth too long.
Baby teeth start to come in around 3 weeks of age and permanent teeth at 3-4 months. The middle incisors are the first to come in around 14 weeks, with the second and third incisors following at about 15 and 16 weeks, respectively.
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 shouldn't.
They're Exploring. Kittens don't have hands. They use their mouths (and teeth!) to test everything. Picking things up, biting objects (including your ankles or hands) teaches them how such things act and react.
And the answer is a resounding yes! Cats often feel love quite strongly for their owners and other companions. They're just sometimes a little more subtle about it than dogs. Have you ever asked yourself, "What do cats think about their owners?" The answer is that they think pretty highly of us.
The most common cause of feline chewing is boredom; for a lot of cats, it provides the stimulation they crave. For some cats, chewing is compulsive; it's a way to provide themselves comfort and can even be an expression of OCD. Remember, chewing is an instinctive habit in cats.
They may chew because they are teething or just because it's fun. Some kittens chew out of boredom. Of course, they chew many innocuous items, but they can also chew items we don't want them to — most often electrical cords, houseplants, leather objects, clothing or shoes.
If you allow them to bite and scratch when they are young, it will be hard to stop them doing it when they are older - although most kittens naturally grow out of the habit between 1 and 2 years old. However, scratching and biting can also mean that your kitten may be in pain - something you need to watch out for.
Their first baby teeth appear when they are around 2-4 weeks of age. These deciduous milk teeth will fall out when they are 3.5 – 4 months old, and the kitten's permanent adult teeth then grow in.
A healthy cat's teeth should be clean, white, and free of any chipping. Their gums shouldn't have any sores or lesions, and should be pink and healthy without any redness, swelling or bleeding.
While many adult cats will lose a tooth or two throughout their life, that doesn't mean a cat losing teeth is normal – in fact, it's usually a sign of injury or infection and will likely require veterinary attention.
Topical gels and oral rinses are viable options for reducing oral malodor and provide antiseptic action in the oral cavity and are typically used daily. Clenz-a-dent and Maxi/Guard are commonly recommended brands. A topical gel, such as HealthyMouth gel can also be used as a dentifrice in place of toothpaste.
Daily brushing is most beneficial and will help to establish a routine. Brushing a minimum of 3 times a week is helpful if your schedule cannot accommodate daily brushing. "It is best to teach your cat to accept brushing while she is still a kitten."
Like humans, brushing will not only prevent plaque and tartar formation; it will also promote healthy gums and reduce halitosis (bad breath). Daily or even twice daily brushing is recommended wherever possible, and this can be introduced to a cat at any age.
The maxillary 1st premolar is normally missing and the 2nd premolar is very small and often not visible. The 3rd maxillary premolar is present. The 4th premolar is termed the carnassial tooth. The mandibular 1st and 2nd premolars are normally missing.
Most kittens are fine when they lose their baby teeth. However, if you're worried about your kitten or spot any of the signs below, please contact your vet. Your kitten is in pain. They might be dribbling, pawing at the mouth, dropping food, struggling to eat, growling at food or grinding their teeth.
A Toothless Cat Can Still Live a Happy Life!
Regardless, if your feline friend needs extractions due to gingivostomatitis or severe periodontal disease, they will be MUCH happier and eat more comfortably once infected, painful teeth are removed.