The cat scratches its teeth. Kitten teething symptoms. Milk teeth in kittens. Dental problems in kittens

When do kittens' teeth change? Small mustaches sometimes reach their new owners very early. And you need to know a lot about their development, body characteristics and care in order to raise a beautiful and healthy animal. Including, of course, you need to be aware of such an issue as the change of baby teeth in kittens - at what age this happens and with what symptoms. We will talk about this today.

Cat teeth are a formidable weapon of the ancestral wild cat and a “tool” for high-quality nutrition of the modern domestic cat. Owners who care about their pet (or pet, if we are talking about a cat) should monitor their condition from the moment the pussy appears in the house. And not just observe, but take care, as dentists say, “of the oral cavity”!

An adult healthy cat has three dozen permanent teeth in its mouth (kittens have 4 fewer - 26 in total) - 12 incisors on the upper and lower jaws, 4 canines, 3 molars at the top and 4 at the bottom. And all of them should be white or cream, strong, without signs of inflammation or destruction. And the gums are pink. Much here depends on the quality of the animal’s nutrition, but it is also important on when and how the kitten’s teeth were changed and what kind of care the owners provided him during that period.

When do cats' teeth change?

Owners who have recently adopted a small cat into their home constantly ask veterinarians and on specialized forums on the Internet: when do kittens’ teeth change? Meanwhile, the owners will be the first to know that the pet’s incisors, canines, premolars and molars have begun to change. And to do this, you don’t even have to look into the animal’s mouth.

A kitten whose teeth change dramatically changes its own behavior. He becomes restless, meows often and loudly, informing his owners about discomfort. And the little cat begins to chew everything. Slippers - so slippers, wires - so wires, the owner's hands - that means arms, or even legs! Anything your heart desires can end up in a cat's itchy mouth. Rags, toys, books (especially those that are thicker, with “appetizing” voluminous spines), pencils and computer mice... It’s an eye-catcher!

In general, during the period when kittens’ teeth are changing, owners are required to pay close attention and control over the pet’s behavior. And also competent thoughtful care. Starting with nutrition and ending with careful hygiene of the cat’s mouth. This is necessary so that the cat’s permanent teeth grow strong and correctly, and the gums and mucous membranes remain free of inflammatory processes.

Kittens are born completely toothless; teeth begin to appear only at two weeks of age. During this period, kittens - just like little children - are very restless and try to scratch their gums on anything - from their own paws and the fluffy tails of their littermates to the edges of a basket or bed.

At the age of 3-4 or even 5 months (much depends on the breed and on the individual development of a particular individual), cats’ teeth begin to change. This happens gradually, one might say in stages - first the incisors change, followed by the canines, and then the turn comes to the premolars and molars. And by seven months, the “dental exchange” ends in almost all domestic felines.

Of course, anyone who gets a cat must know everything about the change of teeth in kittens - when and how this happens, in order to provide special nutrition for their mustache during this period. In general, during this difficult period the animal requires special care and maximum attention from the owner.

Do kittens lose their baby teeth?

Yes, kittens are just like little guys. And tiny sharp teeth change in the same way - milk teeth fall out, permanent teeth grow. Therefore, the question that is relevant for many owners: do kittens lose their baby teeth can be answered with confidence in the affirmative. Moreover, if for some reason not all of a cat’s non-permanent teeth have fallen out, then they will have to be removed by a veterinarian.

Why delete? Yes, because excess teeth in the animal’s oral cavity can lead to injury to soft gums, the formation of wounds and ulcers on the mucous membrane. In addition, more serious problems with the bite and even with the bone tissue of the cat's jaw may arise. And such a “trifle” as periodontal disease is definitely guaranteed for your pet.

Oral diseases in cats

For some reason, many owners are confident that kittens and adult cats a priori cannot have dental problems. Animals don’t smoke, drink coffee or eat sweets, so where do inflammatory and destructive processes in their oral cavity come from? But it turns out that anything is possible!

One of the most serious problems in a cat's mouth is tartar. But it “likes to be deposited” exactly where the gums do not fit tightly to the tooth, where there are healed wounds and ulcers. Therefore, even if kittens’ milk teeth do not fall out in a timely manner, they must be removed. The operation is simple, carried out in a veterinary office and literally in a matter of minutes. And then it’s easier for the kittens, and the owners are calmer. Including for the future of the pet.

Caring for kittens during teething

Kittens whose teeth are changing need special care, as sometimes the process does not go as planned.

Proper nutrition

Caring for kittens during teeth change should be competent. And first of all, you should take care of the nutrition of babies during this difficult period of life. A pet's food during teething must necessarily contain elements such as calcium and phosphorus. Since the lack of these substances in the cat’s body can lead to softening of the tissue of growing permanent teeth and subsequent destruction of the dentition. In addition, a cat’s teeth may grow unevenly, which can subsequently affect the quality of chewing food and lead to complications in the digestive process.

If a kitten’s daily food is poor in the vitamins and microelements it needs, owners need to take care of purchasing special vitamin-mineral supplements.

Do not be surprised if the baby suddenly refuses to eat during this period. He experiences discomfort in his mouth and finds it difficult to chew. However, when food refusal lasts more than one day, it is necessary to contact a veterinarian to rule out much more serious health problems than teeth change.

The fact is that cats, no matter how domestic they have been for several centuries, remain predators with special digestion. And long-term (more than 2 days) fasting has the most negative effect on their gastrointestinal tract. You need to know that a healthy kitten, not burdened by anything more than changing teeth, will never refuse a bowl of food more than once. Will begin to eat even overcoming some soreness in the mouth. Only much more serious illnesses can force him not to eat.

Raising a kitten is the key to its health in the future

Caring for kittens during teething also requires the closest possible attention from the owners and mandatory correction of the kitten’s behavior. You can’t let your baby chew on everything. Pieces of wires, scraps of fabric, rubber and plastic from toys are very poor filling for a cat’s stomach, leading to obstruction of the latter or intestines and, as a consequence, to a complex and expensive veterinary operation, deciding the issue of life and death of the pet.

You should also not let the kitten chew on the owner’s arms and legs during play or just like that. This, of course, will not lead to tragic consequences, but it can form a bad habit for the cat, from which it will be extremely difficult to wean your pet. And in the future, an adult animal with fully formed, strong and sharp teeth will continue to “playfully” plunge its incisors and fangs into human limbs with pleasure. You may get used to it, but guests, for example, are unlikely to like it.

Kitten oral hygiene

In addition, an important part of caring for a kitten during the change of its teeth is oral hygiene. A kitten must be accustomed to it from early childhood, so as not to suffer later with an adult animal. It’s better to start with a game - let the kitten get used to a special toothbrush for animals and stop being afraid of it. Yes, he himself will be glad to grab the bristly head, especially if his gums itch, freeing themselves from milk teeth and releasing permanent teeth to the surface.

The main thing is to do this regularly, then the animal will get used to the hygienic procedure and will allow it to be carried out. And this will make it possible in the future to avoid such complex problems as tartar (and associated gum inflammation) and periodontitis (tissue inflammation and associated destruction of the alveolar jaw process).

Still have questions? You can ask them to our site's in-house veterinarian in the comment box below, who will respond to them as soon as possible.

The article will help you get acquainted with general information about what this problem is, but you should always remember the need to take your pet to a veterinarian, since treatment on your own will be impossible.

A kitten is teething - symptoms, what to do and what to feed

Changing temporary teeth to permanent ones is one of the important stages in the life of a pet. Just like in children, this process occurs differently in kittens. For some people it does not cause problems, for others they have to look for solutions to relieve the symptoms. Some kittens may chew or bite something due to itching.

The most important thing is to make your diet balanced so that it contains foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, and other important elements. You can add vitamin and mineral supplements to your diet that are appropriate for this age.

The kitten's teeth itch, what to buy and give to chew, toys, gel

In order not to be upset by new chewed shoes, buy your kitten a special toy at the pet store and get her interested in it by playing with it. If you bring a toy and just put it down, your pet may not understand what to do with it.

After playing a little together, he will fall in love with the new product. Today there are many different special gels that relieve itching and possibly pain. But when choosing, you need to consult a veterinarian to clarify the dosage.

The kitten has itchy teeth and bites its arms and legs

Of course, when the kitten is small and its teeth are not yet sharp enough to seriously damage the skin, the game seems fun. But remember that this game can make the animal aggressive.

If there are children living in the house, even more so, stop all attempts to bite you, regardless of the reason. You must make it clear that you are the boss here, and you do not like this game. When playing, do not use your hands or feet, but use toys.

Caring for a domestic cat is a whole complex of regularly performed actions. Caring for an animal helps it feel comfortable and safe around people. But not all owners know that the semantic content of the concept of “care” includes not only feeding, bathing and vaccinations. The health of the animal directly depends on how attentive its owner is to this issue.

In particular, oral disease is a common pathological phenomenon in cats. To independently determine whether a cat’s teeth are in order, you need to have a clear understanding of some of the features of its physiology. It is also important to know how many teeth a cat has, what structure they have and how to properly maintain the microflora of the animal’s oral cavity in proper condition.

It’s not without reason that veterinarians advise taking a closer look at this part of the body in cats from early childhood, because they are reliable indicators of the cat’s general well-being. The occurrence of any disorders in the mouth indicates the course of the inflammatory process caused by the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into the body. The disease at the initial stage is quite difficult to determine, but by understanding what the ideal structure of the pet’s dental system should be, you can recognize the problem and immediately begin treatment, thereby preventing the likelihood of negative consequences.

Milk and molars: how many are there?

After reaching 3 years of age, more than 80% of domestic cats suffer from dental ailments. But, as you know, the first incisors appear in newborn babies a couple of weeks after birth. Kittens at 10 weeks of age have a full set of teeth and are equal to 26. After 1.5-2 months, milk teeth begin to be replaced by permanent ones. The process itself is almost painless, although in some cases changing incisors and fangs can cause significant discomfort to the cat.

During this period, the animal’s body produces a special substance in saliva - lysozyme. It helps prevent oral infections by providing an antibacterial effect. Due to poor nutrition and lack of the required amount of useful vitamins and microelements, lysozyme may become insufficient. Then the cat’s bacterial background may fail, which contributes to the formation of tartar. By periodically examining your pet’s oral cavity, you can immediately detect changes in the structure of the teeth.

First of all, you should know that there are 16 bone formations on the upper jaw of an adult cat, and 14 on the lower jaw. They usually erupt in the following sequence:

At the age of 3-4 months, the incisors appear.
After 2-3 weeks, new fangs can be noticed.
Another similar period of time will allow us to detect chewing premolars, and then molars.

Features of tooth structure

The structure, structure and characteristics of a cat's tooth will help you find many answers to your questions. For example, why dental diseases in cats are accompanied by pain, bleeding gums, and inflammation.

The “building” materials for vital biting and chewing instruments in tetrapods have some similarities with humans. This can be determined by the presence of:

pulp (this is the main part of any tooth, which is a cavity from the root to the apex with nerve cells and blood vessels located; when this area becomes inflamed, excruciating pain occurs);
dentin (covers the pulp);
enamel (a fairly hard surface of the bone formation, completely devoid of nerve endings and, accordingly, sensitivity).

Dental system: the role of each element

As mentioned above, an adult cat has 30 teeth. The structure of the system itself in the oral cavity is predetermined by the purpose of each individual element. The following can be said about each type of teeth:

Incisors are small teeth located in front on both jaws, 6 pieces each. The cat, as a rule, does not use them to chew food: it only needs them to hold prey and large pieces.
Fangs are elongated teeth that cats use in the process of killing prey. They are quite strong because they are held deeper than other teeth by ligaments. The cat's jaws have one fang on both sides.
Premolars are bone formations in the oral cavity that perform chewing functions. Cats need 6 upper and 4 lower premolars to grind food, especially meat. If it is necessary to remove a superficial crown, it is important to remove the root of such a tooth.
Molars are the most difficult to reach massive teeth. They help animals break down solid food.

Teeth indicate a cat's age

The correct structure and the absence of any pathological signs generally indicate the health of the oral cavity. In addition, by looking into the animal's mouth, you can recognize it by its teeth. Determining how old or young a pet is is quite simple, being aware of some nuances:

The furry baby is apparently not even a month old yet, if his incisors have just begun to erupt.
In an older kitten, the beginning of the process of losing baby teeth indicates that he is approximately 3-4 months old.
If a kitten already has a full set of 30 teeth, it is probably at least six months old.
An adult one-year-old animal has a snow-white grin and practically no plaque.
By the age of two, the lower central incisors of cats begin to wear off, the enamel noticeably turns yellow, and the first tartar appears.
At five years old, pets already have fairly worn out upper incisors and mandibular canines.
After another couple of years, pigmentation occurs on the surface of the enamel.
By the age of 10, cats' incisors often fall out.
In older animals - 15 years and older - even their fangs fall out.

The structure of the teeth does not always allow one to accurately determine how old a cat is. Sometimes improper oral care of an animal or lack of it at all leads to the fact that the pet’s dental system begins to age prematurely. Periodic brushing of teeth and a balanced diet will help your cat maintain a satisfactory level of oral health and prevent the development of diseases.

Everyone knows that kittens are born blind and toothless, but by the end of the first month they grow 26 needle-sharp teeth. At the age of three to five (less often - up to six) months, they change to permanent ones as the roots of baby teeth dissolve. An adult cat should have 30 teeth. How can we explain the difference? It turns out that kittens don't have molars. You should know that a cat's teeth are not suitable for chewing food; they do not have appropriate chewing surfaces. They bite off with incisors (short front teeth), and with fangs (the longest teeth) they hold and tear food (in nature, prey). In addition, the fangs hold the tongue in the correct position in the mouth. Premolars are used to chew and bite food, and its smaller pieces go to the back teeth - molars - and then into the pharynx.

Adult cat teeth
A. Upper jaw.
B. Lower jaw.

hooks,
average,
edges.
Upper canine.
Lower canine.
Upper premolar (premolar) teeth.
Upper molar tooth.
lumpy tooth
Lower premolar (premolar) teeth.
Lower molar tooth.

Sometimes cats have defects in the development of the jaws, malocclusion, and in Persian and exotic breeds it is one of the most common, because the shape of the head has undergone significant changes as a result of selection, especially during the transition to the extreme type. True, such disorders are not associated with heredity. A normal bite is considered to be the so-called straight and scissor (or pincer) bite, in which the upper incisors, overlapping the lower ones, come into contact with them. A deviation from the norm is considered to be the forward movement of the lower jaw - an overshot (bulldog jaw) - or, conversely, an undershot, if the teeth of the upper, protruding forward, do not come into contact with the lower incisors. Such disorders occur in Persian cats.

Do cats have toothache? Yes, they hurt, they become loose, they fall out, they break off. Have you noticed that the cat began to chew food slowly and only on one side, that her mouth smells bad, that her jaw suddenly drops and saliva drips? Or is she moving her tongue unnecessarily? Or maybe while eating or immediately after eating, he rubs the lip area with his paw? Examine the mouth and you will see red, swollen gums (periodontal disease) or sores on the mucous membrane (signs of stomatitis). By the way, veterinarians say that every eighth cat out of ten suffers from periodontal disease. Carefully touch to see if the fangs are loose, look at the color of the gums: are they red? If there are such signs, the cat, especially an older one, needs to be shown to a doctor.

All the troubles in a cat’s mouth begin with the deposition of tartar: its white teeth begin to turn yellow. Tartar appears on molars (premolars and molars). It is known that the surface of the teeth is covered with enamel - a very hard and smooth substance. The plaque deposited on the enamel envelops the teeth every day, trapping a host of bacteria on them. Not every type of food erases this plaque, and then tartar begins to grow - yellow, brown and even gray-green in color, consisting of calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate, potassium salts, food masses, saliva, and rejected cells of the oral mucosa. It begins to form at the base of the tooth (at the edge of the gum), gradually covering the entire crown.

Removing (removing) tartar does not mean curing the oral cavity. Previously, tartar was chipped off with special forceps, but on the remaining smallest particles it was again quickly deposited. Nowadays, tartar is crushed using an ultrasonic unit under general anesthesia. Teeth that are affected by caries and are very loose must be removed.

During the examination, the doctor will prescribe treatment, but if it is not possible to get to him, wipe the gums with Lugol's solution (sold ready-made). For prevention, it is recommended to wipe the teeth and gums of cats with an infusion of yarrow, St. John's wort, sage, oak bark (two teaspoons per glass of water, boil for 20 minutes). It is useful to add a little infusion of rose hips to drinking water (one tablespoon of the fruit is brewed with a glass of boiling water).

The appearance of tartar can also be caused by teeth growing too closely together. This is exactly what is observed in Persian cats, which is why almost from birth they are fed special dry food, not only in composition, but also in form, most adapted to their specific face. It is rare, but it does happen that due to an oversight of the owners, the kitten’s milk teeth that have not fallen out along with the grown permanent ones remain in the kitten’s mouth. In this case, food gets stuck between them, and a stone is formed already at one year of age.

To keep your cat's teeth white and healthy for as long as possible, teach your kitten to eat pieces of food from childhood. After six months, it is useful for kittens to be given meat with veins, chicken cartilage (but not bones!), and special dry food. Do not feed minced food to healthy adult animals.

Of course, you need to learn how to brush your cat's teeth and teach your pet to be patient during this procedure. Usually they realize it when the diagnosis has already been made. And the lamentations begin: “Ah! Oh! Can a cat sit still for even a minute? You can still be left without fingers!”

Whether the owner likes it or not, the kitten needs to be accustomed to such procedures as combing its fur, trimming its claws and preventative brushing of its teeth as soon as you bring it into the house. Everyone can cope with the first one - who wants to find wool all around! Nowadays it’s easy to get rid of problems with claws: there are scratching posts for every taste - yours, of course, and special nail clippers. But many people don’t consider brushing their teeth obligatory: maybe our cat will be spared tartar (we should have time to brush our own!).

Of course, you can hope, but world practice shows that in cultivated breeds, even if you feed cats according to all the rules, plaque turns into tartar with all the ensuing consequences. Let me state: a visit to a veterinary clinic, where cats under general anesthesia have stones removed using ultrasound, is not cheap.

“Cats are equipped with very impressive weapons for defense and attack. Their teeth are terrible: the fangs look like thin, long, sharp, barely bent cones at the end, which are much longer than other teeth and, when bitten, form deep, almost always fatal wounds. Very small incisors almost disappear in comparison with these large fangs, and even strong molars, equipped with sharp triangular teeth and points, seem insignificant in front of them, and yet these latter are well adapted for cutting meat and dry veins.”
A.E. Brem. "Animal Life"

Kitten's dental system

In the fourth month of life, baby teeth begin to fall out, and permanent teeth appear in their place. Some owners wonder: do their pets’ teeth change on their own or does this process need to be controlled? In most cases, the owner is only required to observe the process. It is advisable to examine your teeth a couple of times a week to make sure that the milk teeth do not interfere with the growth of the molars. If the baby tooth has not fallen out on its own, but a permanent tooth is already growing in its place, you will have to remove the baby tooth, since otherwise the permanent tooth may grow crooked. Immunity decreases during the period of teeth change, so vaccinations should not be done until the end of the process.

Dental system of an adult cat

An adult cat has a total of 30 teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines and 14 premolars (8 on the upper jaw and 6 on the lower jaw). The change of teeth is completed at approximately eight months. The permanent teeth are very sharp and have a cutting surface. Incisors are needed to capture food and care for fur, fangs are a formidable weapon for hunting and protection from enemies, premolars crush large pieces of food.

General symptoms of dental diseases

the pet rubs its muzzle with its paw or persistently rubs its cheek against the furniture;

there is an unpleasant odor from the mouth;

gums become red and inflamed;

one or more teeth change color;

the pet does not allow you to touch its cheek, it shows aggression if the owner tries to look into its mouth;

depending on how many of the cat’s teeth hurt, she may either refuse food completely or eat with caution (chew on one side, drop pieces, chew food more slowly than usual);

When the pain is severe, the cat behaves restlessly, scratching its cheek with its paw, meowing, or sitting in a frozen position with its jaw slightly open. Drooling may increase.

Plaque

Baby teeth are perfectly white, because plaque simply does not have time to appear on them. But over time, a grayish or yellowish coating appears on permanent teeth - saliva, food particles and myriads of bacteria. The appearance of plaque is influenced by many factors: heredity, type of feeding, digestive characteristics, etc. To keep your teeth white, you need to remove plaque: chewing toys, cleaning biscuits, regular brushing.

Tartar

If plaque is not removed in time, it hardens, forming tartar on the surface of the tooth - porous deposits teeming with bacteria. The stone appears at the base of the tooth, and then grows towards the root, penetrating under the gum, and upward, eventually covering the tooth completely. Tartar is the main reason for visits to a veterinary dentist. If it is not removed, your cat may lose one or more teeth and even become seriously ill due to chronic gum disease.

Depending on how many teeth are covered with stone, whether the gums are affected, and whether the cat tolerates manipulation calmly, the veterinarian chooses a method for removing deposits. The doctor will remove the tartar with a spatula or use ultrasound. In mild cases, dissolving gels help. Nervous animals and cats whose stone has affected part of the tooth under the gum are treated with the so-called. “light sleep” is anesthesia from which the pet will wake up in 15-20 minutes.

Caries

Teeth can be destroyed due to - after all, this is rotting of bone tissue. There are many reasons for the occurrence of caries: mechanical damage to the enamel, poor nutrition, tartar, metabolic dysfunction, deficiency of iodine, fluorine, vitamin B, molybdenum in the body. If caries is left unattended, decay will take over neighboring teeth and spread throughout the entire oral cavity. Cats have teeth that hurt just like humans, so a carious tooth needs to be removed or treated as soon as possible.

Osteomyelitis

Due to infection or due to untreated caries, a cavity filled with pus forms on the gum. Over time, the sac bursts and pus flows out. Because of the pain, the cat refuses to eat, loses weight, and the temperature may rise. Since it is almost impossible to brush the teeth of a cat in pain, plaque quickly forms, which hardens and turns into stone. requires immediate veterinary intervention! The doctor will open the fistula, remove fluid from its cavity, and treat the affected area with an antiseptic.

Periodontitis

Due to the penetration of infection, untreated caries, overgrown stone, the root of the tooth and the adjacent soft tissues become inflamed. The cat is in pain, refuses to eat, and has foul breath. Do cats lose teeth? Yes, and the cause of this may be periodontitis: inflamed tissues do not hold the root well, the tooth becomes loose, and the root of the tooth is destroyed.

Gingivitis

The tissues around the tooth turn red, bleed, and ulcers and cracks may appear on the gums. Predisposing factors: insufficient care, infections, metabolic disorders, diseases of internal organs. Tartar is one of the main causes of development. To treat mild gingivitis, you can use folk remedies (irrigation with a decoction of chamomile, oak bark, dogwood) or special gels (for example, Dentavedin). If the condition of your gums does not improve within a week, you should consult a doctor.

Prevention

Unfortunately, dental diseases are a common occurrence. In their natural environment, cats clean their teeth mechanically by eating raw meat and chewing cartilage. In addition, a domestic cat lives twice as long as a stray animal - the enamel wears off with age, stress on the teeth leads to mechanical damage, bacteria penetrate through the cracks, which in turn leads to caries and other problems. Many owners make the situation worse because they are simply too lazy to brush their pet’s teeth. To keep your teeth healthy for many years, you need to:

regularly inspect the oral cavity, removing stuck pieces of food;

consult a doctor if you notice even minor signs of gum or dental disease;

feed the cat a balanced diet (if dry food is used, periodically add lines designed to prevent diseases of teeth and gums to the oral food menu).

Since not every owner is able to brush a pet’s teeth (some pets categorically refuse to tolerate a foreign object in their mouth), it is necessary to take the cat to the veterinarian at least once every six months to remove plaque and tartar.

If possible, you should brush your teeth once a week. To remove plaque, use a brush with soft bristles or a special finger attachment equipped with rubber teeth. Human toothpaste is not the best choice; it is wiser to purchase a special toothpaste or gel for pets. The cat is taught to brush its teeth gradually, first by just examining the oral cavity, then touching the teeth with your fingers, then letting the cat chew on a brush with paste applied to it (a paste with a meat aroma and taste that will not frighten the pet with a “chemical” smell is ideal). After cleaning, excess paste should be removed with a sterile gauze swab.

Changing teeth in kittens is a natural process, and many animals tolerate it normally. Sometimes kittens cannot do without the help of their owner, in which case the person should contact a veterinarian. The doctor will examine the animal's mouth and make recommendations for its treatment.

When does teeth change?

Without teeth. Then, after a few weeks, the first teeth begin to cut: first the incisors, then the canines, and after that all the rest. Normally, this process is completed in two months, when all 26 teeth have erupted.

By this time, kittens gradually begin to switch to solid food. Most often, this happens automatically - babies try food from their mother’s bowl, learn to chew and swallow. Kittens also drink milk at this time, in most cases the cat doesn’t mind.

When changing teeth, you need to monitor the correct progress of the process. If something goes wrong and the baby has problems, you should immediately contact a veterinarian. After the first set of teeth has grown, the kittens are vaccinated and given to new owners: now the babies are able to live without their mother. It is important to have time to do all this before the teeth change, because at this time the animal’s body will be weakened, and it does not need additional stress. If it still doesn’t work out, it is advisable to wait until this process is completed, but if we are talking about a male representative, you will have to take additional care to prevent him from approaching females.

At four months, baby teeth begin to replace molars. The sequence is the same as when teething the first set: first the incisors are replaced, then the canines, then the remaining teeth. The last ones to grow are those on the edges of the jaw, corresponding to human wisdom teeth. In total, an adult cat should have 30 teeth.

When your pet completes the process of changing teeth, the following picture can be observed in his oral cavity:

12 incisors - 6 pieces on each jaw;
2 fangs on the upper and lower jaws;
8 molars on the upper jaw;
6 molars on the bottom.

The whole process is completed when the kitten reaches 7 months of age. After this, the animal’s teeth no longer grow; it needs to live with the existing set for the rest of its life.

Other symptoms

Why is a cat drooling?

Process Features

When the time comes, molars begin to grow out of the gums, and baby teeth begin to fall out. At this time, the gums become inflamed, the kitten is constantly drooling - like a human baby when teething. The process goes on in waves: the next canine matures, and in a few days, under the pressure of the permanent tooth, the roots of the milk tooth dissolve. The permanent ones erupt, and the milk ones fall out, after which the gums return to normal. After some time, everything repeats with the next one.

At this time, kittens may refuse to eat, because chewing is painful. But they still try to scratch their gums on everything: food, the owner's slippers, human hands.

But finding a lost tooth is difficult. The animal's tongue is designed in such a way that if something gets into its mouth, it will most likely be swallowed. So the lost teeth go the same way. Sometimes the owners are lucky - if it fell out exactly at the moment when the cat was scratching its gums on something suitable, and got stuck in this object. This could be a pillow, a blanket, a carpet, a soft toy - whatever the baby has at that moment.

Do not be alarmed if the baby tooth is still in the gum, but the permanent one has already grown. This happens quite often in cats, especially with fangs. The fact is that permanent teeth do not grow from the same socket, so they do not push out milk teeth. If there is no inflammation and the entire structure does not injure the opposite gum or lips, you can do nothing; over time, it will fall out on its own. Or, after replacing all the teeth, show the cat to the veterinarian, he will remove all the excess at once.

Physiology of cats

How to determine the exact age of a cat by its teeth

In what cases should you contact a veterinarian?

The owner should focus on the pet’s well-being and his own common sense. Often, symptoms when kittens change teeth make the owner worry about the baby’s health.

Veterinarians are quite loyal to situations when the owner brings a healthy kitten to the appointment to make sure that everything is fine with him. This is definitely better than not seeing a doctor when you definitely need his help.

Regarding the change of teeth, a veterinarian is definitely needed in the following situations:

the wound on the site of the former baby tooth has festered;
the cat meows pitifully, cannot sleep, is worried;
the animal is very lethargic;
the kitten does not eat for more than a day;
the baby's mouth smells bad;
the gums are very inflamed;
a new tooth or an old one displaced under its influence injures the kitten;
the baby tooth never fell out, but the gums around it were inflamed;
the cat has not gone to the toilet for more than a day (he scratched his teeth on something, bit off a piece, and it got stuck in the intestines);
Some of the baby teeth have not fallen out, although the permanent teeth have already grown in and the time for changing teeth has passed.

It is advisable to consult a veterinarian about the animal’s nutrition during teeth changes. Usually during this period, kittens are additionally fed with calcium and phosphorus or the appropriate food is selected. But this increases the load on the kidneys, so some caution is still needed. Especially if the mother or siblings have already had this kind of problem.

It should be remembered that while kittens are changing their teeth, they are more vulnerable to infections. So you shouldn’t attribute any oddities in his behavior and well-being to his teeth; perhaps he’s just sick. This also applies to those animals that live in an apartment and do not go for walks: some cat diseases can be brought with you on the soles of outdoor shoes. This is not dangerous for an adult vaccinated animal, but with kittens, problems sometimes arise during the change of teeth.

Leather and wool

Why does a kitten scratch its ear too often?

Precautions

The owner needs to remember that it is not easy for the baby right now, and not create additional stress for him. It is better if no guests come to the house at this time or if the cat has the opportunity to go to another room. It is also better to postpone repairs, rearrangement of furniture, moving to another apartment or to a country house if possible.

When changing teeth, kittens chew on everything they can get their hands on. This is not out of harm or malice - my gums just itch and need to be scratched against something. Scolding children for such behavior is as useless as scolding a child for scratching mosquito bites. You just need to remove everything that you don’t want to see spoiled, including those things the kitten might swallow pieces of.

The wires need to be either hidden or secured so that they are inconvenient to chew. This applies to both the cord from a computer mouse (it is recommended to use a wireless one) and to chargers from smartphones. If this is not possible, you will have to not let the kitten into such a room unattended for several months.

You should not leave documents and securities in the public domain. It is also better to put plastic bags away: they have no place in a cat’s stomach.

It is also better not to leave outdoor shoes and bags with which owners go outside where the kitten can get to them. Not only because the thing will be a pity, but also for hygienic reasons.

If there are children in the house, then they need to be warned; the kitten’s teeth are changing, so he will look for something to chew on, which means there is no need to leave valuable toys where he can find them. Particular attention should be paid to toys made of soft plastic, because the cat can bite off a piece and swallow it. If such a piece gets stuck in the intestines, surgery will be required.

It is better not to allow a kitten to chew human hands: such behavior can become habitual and remain for life. Even though a cat is a small animal, it is quite capable of biting a hand, so it is better not to train it right away.

During the period of teeth change, the kitten should be given the opportunity to chew on something suitable. In pet stores, you can buy dried ears and veins or special toys for this purpose. You can also offer a boiled bone of a suitable size (just not a tubular one - they break into small sharp fragments and can injure the animal). Some owners buy teethers designed for human babies, but be careful because kittens have sharper teeth and can bite off a piece.

Sometimes veterinarians advise lubricating inflamed gums with special dental gels, which can be purchased at a regular pharmacy. This will relieve pain and reduce inflammation, so your animal will feel better. There are also cooling teethers - these are toys into which the owner pours cold water and allows the pet to chew. Cold helps relieve pain.

A kitten is a member of the family and its health should concern its owners. In order for your pet to be cheerful and cheerful, you need to properly care for it and monitor all changes in its behavior.

frequent colds
weight loss
flatulence
tired and hungry
headaches, as well as various pains and spasms in the internal organs especially!

If you have a pet, then you are definitely at risk!

If you have these symptoms, you simply need cleanse the body. How to do this read here >>

Poor ecology, improper nutrition, unbalanced in micro- and macroelements, vitamins and nutrients, feeding with low-quality food sometimes leads to a serious undermining of the healthy balance within the cat’s body. One of the troubles associated with a violation of the pet’s internal harmony is dental disease. But bad teeth are not just bad teeth, but the root cause for the development of more dangerous pathologies in the animal’s body. An unhealthy oral cavity is a gateway to infection for a huge number of pathogens.

Inflammatory processes in the oral cavity negatively affect the functioning of the entire body: digestion worsens, additional stress is created on the heart, and the immune system is weakened. Therefore, a responsible owner should know the number of teeth a cat has, how to care for the pet’s oral cavity, and for what symptoms a veterinarian should be consulted.

Kitten's dental system

Kittens are born without teeth at all, since they do not need them when feeding on milk. The longer the mother feeds her babies with milk, the later the first milk teeth appear. Teeth usually begin to erupt by the fourth week of life. Kittens have only 26 non-permanent teeth.

If the baby tooth has not fallen out on its own, but a permanent tooth is already growing in its place, you will have to remove the baby tooth, since otherwise the permanent tooth may grow crooked. Immunity decreases during the period of teeth change, so vaccinations should not be done until the end of the process.

Dental system of an adult cat

If after a year not all of the permanent teeth have grown, the cat will be missing one or more teeth for the rest of its life. Oligodontia (congenital lack of teeth) is inherited, so such an animal must be removed from breeding. Depending on how many teeth are missing, your pet will experience a certain degree of discomfort when eating food. This can cause digestive disorders and diseases of the digestive tract. For such cats, the type of feeding is selected individually, after consulting a doctor.

Dental disease of varying severity can occur in cats of different ages—some develop severe disease in their youth.

The development of diseases is influenced by many factors, among which the following are especially important:

Incorrect position of teeth.
Diet.
Infectious diseases.
Availability of dental care.
The environment in the mouth – changes in microflora and the presence of bacteria can significantly influence the development of diseases.
Genetics – Some cats may be more predisposed to dental disease than others.

Common symptoms of dental diseases in cats

Insufficient care, poor diet, hard water, hereditary predisposition and some infections can cause oral diseases.

When your teeth hurt, it’s easy to notice the problem:

The pet rubs its muzzle with its paw or persistently rubs its cheek against the furniture.
There is an unpleasant odor from the mouth.
The gums become red and inflamed.
One or more teeth change color.
The pet does not allow you to touch its cheek, and shows aggression if the owner tries to look into its mouth.
Depending on how many of your cat's teeth hurt, she may either refuse to eat completely or eat with caution (chewing on one side, dropping pieces, chewing food more slowly than usual).
When the pain is severe, the cat behaves restlessly, scratching its cheek with its paw, meowing, or sitting in a frozen position with its jaw slightly open. Drooling may increase.

Baby teeth are perfectly white, because plaque simply does not have time to appear on them. But over time, a grayish or yellowish coating appears on permanent teeth - saliva, food particles and myriads of bacteria. Plaque is a layer of bacteria that develops on the tooth surface. At first, the plaque film is almost invisible; it can only be detected using special methods. As the amount of plaque increases and the film becomes thicker, it becomes visible as a soft, gray or white layer covering the surface of the teeth.

The appearance of plaque is influenced by many factors:

heredity;
type of feeding;
digestive characteristics, etc.

To keep your teeth white, you need to remove plaque: chewing toys, cleaning biscuits, regular brushing.

It is important to monitor plaque on your cat’s teeth, since its formation very often causes the development of dental diseases. Timely detection and removal of plaque is an important measure to prevent dental disease in cats. Plaque can be removed with a toothbrush, which will also keep your cat's gums healthy.

If plaque is not removed in time, it hardens, forming tartar on the surface of the tooth - porous deposits infested with bacteria. Tartar is clearly visible and looks like a brownish-yellow or brown hard growth on the surface of the tooth. The stone appears at the base of the tooth, and then grows towards the root, penetrating under the gum, and upward, eventually covering the tooth completely. Tartar is the main reason for visits to a veterinarian-dentist. If it is not removed, your cat may lose one or more teeth and even become seriously ill due to chronic gum disease.

The main causes of tartar in cats:

Having your cat eat only soft food and food from the table.
Improper oral hygiene.
Some types of metabolic disorders, primarily salt ones.
Incorrect position and increased roughness of teeth.

In addition, there is a breed predisposition of cats to the occurrence of this disease. In cats, this disease is more common in Persians, British, and Scottish Folds.

Depending on how many teeth are covered with stone, whether the gums are affected, and whether the cat tolerates manipulation calmly, the veterinarian chooses a method for removing deposits. Because tartar is very hard, it usually cannot be removed with simple tools such as toothbrushes. The doctor will remove the tartar with a spatula or use ultrasound. In mild cases, dissolving gels help. Nervous animals and cats whose stone has affected part of the tooth under the gum are treated with the so-called. “light sleep” is anesthesia from which the pet will wake up in 15-20 minutes.

Incorrect positioning of teeth in the mouth contributes to the formation of plaque and tartar. This occurs because the cat's teeth are not cleaned naturally as they chew their food.

Reasons why teeth may be in the wrong position:

Features of the breed. Cats of “short-nosed” breeds (Persians, Exotics, etc.) almost certainly have deviations in the positioning of their teeth, sometimes very significant. Their jawbones are often too small to accommodate all the teeth properly, causing the teeth to be too crowded and misaligned.
Retention of baby teeth. In some cats, baby teeth may remain in the jaw while permanent teeth begin to grow. If the permanent tooth cannot push out the baby tooth during growth, it may grow at an incorrect angle, taking on a position unusual for a normal tooth.
Trauma or congenital anomalies. Sometimes a cat's jaws can be abnormally shaped due to birth defects (such as underbites or overbites) or due to injury (such as a broken jaw). An improperly shaped jaw can also cause teeth to move into incorrect positions.

If an animal has any abnormalities in the development of teeth or bite, they can lead to the following problems:

Difficulty in eating and chewing food.
Mechanical damage to the mucous membrane of the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue.
Diseases of the digestive system.

The most common types of anomalies are:

Polyodontia or polydentia.
Oligodontia or reduced number of teeth in the mouth.
Convergence is excessive convergence of the roots of the teeth.
Retention – the tooth is not in the jaw line.
Divergence is the divergence of tooth roots.

Most malocclusions are genetically determined and associated with impaired growth and development of the jaws. In some cases, malocclusion is caused by a delay in the replacement of baby teeth, which is why the molars are forced to grow in the direction free for them.

Underbite. This is the case when the upper jaw is longer than the lower, that is, the upper incisors overlap the lower ones without touching.
Snack. It is the complete opposite of the above. The lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw, like a bulldog.
Twisted mouth. This is the most severe case of malocclusion. In this situation, there is uneven growth of one side of the jaw, which leads to its distortion. This developmental defect leads to difficulty grasping food and tearing it.

Malocclusion may result from retention of primary teeth, which interferes with their closure and can lead to the cessation of normal jaw growth. Such teeth should be removed before four to five months of age.

Malocclusions in cats are much less common than in dogs, since the structure of the cat's head does not depend on the breed. Short-faced breeds, such as the Persian cat, are most prone to these disorders.

The underbite observed in small kittens corrects itself if the deviation is small. A kitten with an underbite may experience damage to the soft tissues of the oral cavity by the teeth after replacing milk teeth with permanent ones. In this case, tooth extraction may be necessary, and as the lower jaw continues to grow, the bite may become a scissor bite.

Teeth can be destroyed due to caries - after all, this is rotting of bone tissue. There are many reasons for the occurrence of caries:

Mechanical damage to the enamel.
Poor nutrition.
Tartar.
Metabolic dysfunction.
Deficiency of iodine, fluorine, vitamin B, molybdenum in the body.

In cats, tooth decay can occur in four different stages:

Spotted.
Surface.
Average dental caries.
Deep caries.

Each subsequent stage of the disease is a consequence of the previous one, that is, if left untreated, spotty caries will turn into superficial caries, and so on along the chain.

Common signs of the disease for all types of caries are:

Darkening of tooth enamel.
The appearance of an unpleasant odor from the cat's mouth.
Over time, a hollow (hole) forms in the diseased tooth.
Increased salivation.
Pain when chewing.
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the gums.

The further caries starts, the signs increase, and sometimes they can turn into more serious diseases (pulpitis, periodontitis, osteomyelitis). If caries is left unattended, decay will take over neighboring teeth and spread throughout the entire oral cavity. Cats have teeth that hurt just like humans, so a carious tooth needs to be removed or treated as soon as possible.

Treatment of caries in cats should be carried out by a specialist. The owner is only required to take preventive measures, which consist of constantly monitoring the condition of the teeth and immediately contacting a veterinarian if any changes are observed in the tooth enamel.

Odontogenic osteomyelitis is an inflammatory disease that usually develops in cats as a complication of caries, purulent periodontitis and dental pulpitis. Due to infection or due to untreated caries, a cavity filled with pus forms on the gum. Over time, the sac bursts and pus flows out. Because of the pain, the cat refuses to eat, loses weight, and the temperature may rise. Since it is almost impossible to brush the teeth of a cat in pain, plaque quickly forms, which hardens and turns into stone.

Symptoms of dental osteomyelitis in cats:

Red gums appear around one or more teeth.
At the level of the lesion, a compacted and painful swelling appears, clearly visible from the outside.
An abscess develops under the periosteum, usually spontaneously opening inside the oral cavity, less often on the outside of the jaw.
A fistula is formed through which purulent exudate is released.
The cat refuses food and quickly loses weight.
Regional lymph nodes are enlarged and painful.

First aid: irrigation of the oral cavity with potassium permanganate.

Osteomyelitis requires immediate veterinary intervention! The doctor will open the fistula, remove fluid from its cavity, and treat the affected area with an antiseptic.

Homeopathic treatment. Echinacea compositum and phosphorus-homaccord in the form of joint injections, first daily, then 2-3 times a day until the process stabilizes. As additional agents, you can use cardus compositum, coenzyme compositum or goal.

One of the most common diseases in veterinary practice is periodontal disease. It begins with the deposition of plaque and tartar on the teeth near the edge of the gums (at the neck of the tooth). The disease occurs in cats after two years of age, although it can occur earlier.

One of the first signs of periodontitis is bad breath. Under certain conditions, for a short period of time, this phenomenon can be completely normal. Another sign is that the animal’s attitude towards its usual food is changing. This is due to the fact that the animal experiences pain when eating. The cat can sit near the saucer and look at the food, but not eat it. She is losing weight and looks unhealthy.

The combination of tartar and plaque creates a favorable breeding ground for the growth and development of bacteria and subsequent gum inflammation.

Many dental diseases go unnoticed until they lead to certain complications. If there is pain in the oral cavity, the cat resists examination.

Treatment. It is necessary to promptly remove plaque and remove tartar. If there is pus in the gum pockets, thoroughly sanitize them. This should be done by a veterinarian. After all this, antibiotics are prescribed for a period of 7-10 days, and hygienic care of the oral cavity is carried out.

Dental gingivitis in cats

Gingivitis in cats occurs due to the lack of necessary oral care for your furry pet. At the initial stage, a yellow plaque forms on the teeth. It is formed due to uncleaned food debris stuck between the teeth. The tissues around the tooth turn red, bleed, and ulcers and cracks may appear on the gums.

In these cases, the gums are treated with special ointments. For example, Metrogyl Denta gel (sold in a human pharmacy), Dentavedin (sold in a veterinary pharmacy), Zubastik, etc. If the condition of your gums does not improve within a week, you should consult a doctor.

The effect of diet on a cat's dental health

Diet certainly plays a role in the development of some dental diseases in cats. It is possible that eating only soft canned foods that do not have an abrasive effect on the teeth during chewing may contribute to the accelerated formation of plaque. Residues from the food itself can accumulate on or between teeth, stimulating bacterial growth and plaque formation. Dry food requires longer chewing and has better abrasive properties. However, the relationship between food and dental disease is complex and the composition of the food is likely more important than whether the food is wet (canned) or dry.

Some infections can cause gingivitis, so your veterinarian may want to test your cat for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), and feline calicivirus (FCV). FIV and FeLV can cause immune suppression, which increases the likelihood of developing periodontal disease and gingivitis. Chronic (long-term) inflammation of the gums and oral mucosa (gingivitis and stomatitis) in a cat may indicate an FCV infection.

Prevention of dental diseases in cats

To keep your teeth healthy for many years, you need to:

Regularly inspect the oral cavity, removing stuck pieces of food.
See a doctor if you notice even minor signs of gum or dental disease.
Feed your cat a balanced diet (if dry food is used, periodically add oral lines designed to prevent diseases of teeth and gums to the food menu).

Among the mass of questions about the maintenance and care of domestic cats, there is a topic that often worries caring owners. We are talking about changing teeth. Not everyone knows when this natural process begins in a kitten, but every owner is interested in what period of development of a small pet this occurs.

Like human babies, kittens are born without teeth. A couple of weeks after birth, the first incisors are cut in their mouth. At ten weeks of age, the owner can already boast of a full set of teeth in his kitten. The first canine grows in about a month, the remaining incisors appear a little earlier, and in a few months the furry baby already has a full set of premolars. In total, a kitten has 26 teeth in its mouth. As a rule, everything goes away painlessly, without causing concern to either the owners or the animal itself.

At the age of seven months, cats already have permanent teeth; first, milk teeth in cats disappear individually. Here everything is happening completely differently. One should not expect calm during this period. When the kitten is several months old (usually 3-4, the norm is a deviation of 2 weeks in both directions), teeth begin to fall out. Just like in newly born babies, the sequence in which each incisor and canine appear remains unchanged. However, unlike kittens that are barely a couple of months old, in an older cat, in addition to premolars, molars are also growing.

How do cats get their permanent teeth?

The total number of teeth on both jaws also changes. If babies have 26 of them, then how many do an adult cat have? An animal that has gone through the process of changing teeth already has exactly 30 of them. Both jaws of the cat have three incisors and a pair of canines, and there are more molars at the top than at the bottom. The dental formula for a kitten over seven months old looks like this:

three incisors;
one fang;
three premolars;
one molar;
pair to the first canine;
two premolars;
one molar.

The sequence in which baby teeth fall out and permanent teeth are cut looks like this:

at 3-4 months the first incisors appear;
after a couple of weeks the fangs grow;
by five months, premolars;
molars erupt by six months.

As such, there are no characteristic symptoms for kittens with tooth loss, however, many owners, observing their pets, noted that they showed signs of excitability, especially when eating. Often the kitten loses its appetite and may become weak. Lethargic and uncheerful animals are also a symptom that teeth have begun to fall out and change in cats.

How to help your pet?

Every furry baby needs the support of its owner. The human task is to provide the animal with comfort and help it survive this process. Special teething toys are perfect. The principle of operation of cat items, which are available in any veterinary store, is based on the functions of similar items for children. Freeze the toy before use to help soothe your pet's gums.

As for the kitten’s diet, there is no need to adjust anything. The only thing that probably won’t hurt when kittens’ teeth change is the inclusion of special additives containing phosphorus and calcium in the animal’s food. They can be purchased in the form of ready-made supplements or bought special preparations at the pharmacy and added to food. It is extremely important to use medications only as prescribed by a doctor.

It is widely believed that the change of teeth in kittens is often accompanied by an unpleasant odor from their mouth. As many owners note, this is indeed true. There is no need to worry about how long this phenomenon will last. Usually the pungent odor goes away within a couple of months after all the teeth come in.

What should not be done during the period of teeth change in cats?

Every owner should know how to behave during the period of teeth change in cats. First of all, you should understand the main thing - the kitten is healthy, it does not need special privileges. To help an animal cope with a noticeable illness, you do not need to allow it anything. Under no circumstances should he be allowed to chew or scratch his hands, even if the kitten’s actions do not cause pain. After all, his puberty will begin in the near future, he may become more aggressive, and the cat’s habit of having fun, thus, can become a serious problem. It is necessary to immediately make it clear to the pet that only toys are intended for him, he has no right to claim more.

When kittens change teeth, most veterinarians do not recommend vaccinating them. And although experts have mixed opinions on this matter, vaccination can put a strain on the animal’s weakened body and provoke disruptions in the kitten’s vital functions. If there is a vaccination according to plan, in order to avoid various troubles and possible side effects, it is better to postpone it and undergo the procedure in a month.

When is it necessary to remove baby teeth?

Often, the process of loss of baby teeth occurs independently in cats, without the need for outside intervention. However, in rare cases, old fangs linger in place, or are not going to fall out at all. Then you will have to remove them, since an excessive number of teeth can significantly harm the cat. In such situations, complications often arise in the form of:

trauma to the gums and palate in the animal’s mouth;
the occurrence of periodontal disease;
pathological changes in bite.

Problems with changing teeth are often caused by a pet’s genetic predisposition. The owner needs to regularly examine the condition of the kitten’s oral cavity and monitor whether they appear in a timely manner. From the age of four months, the presence of any abnormalities is an undeniable reason to visit a doctor.

Double dentition is a direct indication for the removal of unnecessary additional incisors or canines. If there is a problem, the animal continues to behave as if nothing had happened. However, the pathology contains a hidden threat and can provoke the formation of dental calculus, and in more severe cases, osteomyelitis. General anesthesia will help reduce the cat’s stress when removing interfering teeth, so such interventions are carried out only in specialized veterinary clinics.

Kittens, like many other animals, are born toothless. Then the first milk teeth grow, which are eventually replaced by permanent ones. The process of growth and change of teeth usually does not present any difficulties and often goes unnoticed by a person.

But it’s worth it for the owner of mustachioed pets to understand it and understand how everything happens. This will help you timely notice and eliminate potential problems in the oral cavity associated with the chewing apparatus in cats.

Formation of dental occlusion from the birth of a cat

A complete set of baby teeth in cats consists of 26 pieces. The onset of gum eruption is noted between 2-3 weeks from birth (usually closer to 3 weeks). A complete primary dentition is formed by 6 weeks (maximum by 8). The appearance of the first sharp teeth is a signal that the kittens can begin to be introduced to “chewable” complementary foods.

Teething order:

Healthy baby teeth in a kitten

incisors (2-4 weeks from birth);
fangs (3-4 weeks);
premolars (6-8 weeks).

Cats' milk teeth are whiter and thinner than their permanent teeth.

Changing baby teeth to permanent ones

When do kittens/cats change their baby teeth?

Changing teeth in cats is a painless process and usually goes unnoticed by the owners. The onset is noted at 3-5 months of age. By 7-8 months, a permanent molar bite is usually formed, including 30 teeth.

The permanent dentition consists of:

The added 4 molars are missing in the primary dentition.

The order of changing teeth

There is no clear order and exact timing for changing teeth, but most experts are of the opinion that in cats everything changes in the same order as it grows:

first the incisors (at 4-5 months);
then fangs (at 4-6 months);
The last ones to be replaced are the premolars (at 5-6 months);
molars grow (by the end of 6 months).

Characteristics of a healthy grin

A healthy grin on a cat's face

Healthy molars start out pure white, but over time acquire a slight tint of yellow. After 4-5 years, you can observe signs of abrasion of the tooth surface due to age - the fangs become slightly dull, and the curvature of the premolars and molars is smoothed out. Cats older than 5-6 years of age may already be missing some permanent teeth, but healthy animals cope well without them.

How often do cats' teeth change?

The dentition of domestic whiskered predators changes once in a lifetime, replacing milk components with permanent ones. If tooth loss has been noted at any age over 1 year, then this is not normal and there must be a specific reason for it.

Symptoms of teething or changing teeth

In both the first and second cases, cats have a desire to bite and chew. Toys, bedding, pillows or the hands of the owners are used. Biting a person's hands must be stopped, because... One-time actions can develop into a bad habit of biting them constantly.

There is no pain during the growth of teeth or their replacement, but some discomfort is present. Possible loss of appetite and increased salivation.

Loose baby teeth can disturb the pet, so you can see the cat shaking its head, actively licking or trying to get rid of it with its paw. There is no need to help, the animal will cope on its own!

When teeth are replaced with primary teeth, baby teeth may fall out or be swallowed. This phenomenon happens very often, but is not a cause for concern.

Possible complications during the process of changing teeth

Changing the teeth of kittens and cats is usually hassle-free and without any particular inconvenience. Often the owners don't even notice this. But veterinarians advise periodically examining pets’ mouths for purely preventive purposes between 5 and 8 months—the full period of teeth change. It is important not to miss a protracted inflammatory process, which will require additional intervention or “stuck” teeth (when a loose baby tooth is still holding on, but a new permanent one is already actively growing under it).

Gum inflammation

The eruption of teeth or their replacement may be accompanied by a minor inflammatory process, which goes away on its own after the complete formation of the dentition. If not fed properly, inflammation may prolong.

Signs:

Inflammation of the gums of the upper jaw

the kitten/cat tries to chew everything;
saliva flows profusely;
the animal may rub its muzzle with its paw or rub its muzzle itself on objects;
Appetite may decrease due to increased pain;
When examining the gums, their swelling and intense redness are revealed.

Treatment

Inflammation when changing teeth goes away on its own when the pet is switched to soft food, eliminating additional irritation of the gums with hard food.

Residual (“stuck”) baby teeth

Very often, the first teeth do not fall out until the permanent molar emerges from the gums. This phenomenon can disrupt the bite due to improper growth of the molar and lead to injury to the cat’s gums, cheeks and lips. It is better if the diagnosis is carried out by a veterinarian, because... an inexperienced owner cannot always distinguish young teeth from permanent ones.

Signs:

Residual tooth in a kitten

presence of baby teeth over 6 months of age (rare);
the presence of loose milk teeth with obvious signs of growth of permanent teeth underneath them.

Treatment

If, upon examination of the mouth, the veterinarian notes the impossibility of spontaneous loss of baby teeth, they resort to surgical removal under anesthesia.

Caring for your cat's teeth

It is useful to sometimes look into the mouth of a domestic animal for a general assessment of the condition of the teeth and oral cavity as a whole, even if outwardly there is no hint of problems with the chewing apparatus. There are no special conditions for caring for a cat’s oral cavity, other than proper nutrition in accordance with age.

Advanced case of tartar in a cat

One of the most common problems with cat teeth is tartar. In nature, predators do not have this problem. Pets who receive dry food or food in large pieces do not have it either. With regular feeding of soft foods, when the procedure of self-cleaning of the oral cavity is excluded, plaque forms on the teeth, which under the influence of bacteria, salts and food debris turns into tartar. The launched process will require cleaning with special tools in veterinary clinics and under anesthesia.

To prevent this problem you should:

brush cats’ teeth at home with special brushes with rubber (silicone) fingertips at least once every 3-4 weeks;
periodically feed with special dry food for self-cleaning of teeth;
Do not feed soft food in the form of small pieces.

For preventive sanitation of the oral cavity in cats, as well as to prevent the formation of plaque and tartar, as prescribed by a veterinarian, you can use the drug “Stomadex” C100 in courses of 10 days (cost: 400-450 rubles/pack with 10 tablets). The tablet from the package is glued with your finger onto the dry surface of the cheek closer to the toothless edge (top or bottom). Dry the cheek with a clean, dry paper towel. After attaching the tablet, the animal should not be given food or drink for 20-25 minutes. It is better to do the procedure before bed, half an hour after the last feeding (the period when the amount of saliva produced decreases).

Toothbrush for a cat

To clean your teeth, you can use special mixtures sold in pet stores or veterinary pharmacies or prepare it yourself (½ teaspoon of soda without top is moistened with red wine to the consistency of a paste and used to clean premolars and molars). The use of human cleaning pastes on cats is prohibited!

The formation of the chewing apparatus in cats occurs according to the general laws of animal physiology and does not require human intervention. But this does not exempt owners of fanged pets from monitoring this process and preventive examination of the oral cavity.