The cat's teeth

teething in cats

Cats are predators and rely on very strong teeth. Even if your house cat doesn't have to work for its own food, flawless teeth play an important role in its general health. Improperly developed teeth can lead to secondary diseases. For this reason, it is very important that you regularly check the status of your cat's teeth when it is a kitten.

Cats change their teeth in several stages. The milk teeth are followed by the permanent teeth, and age-related tooth loss is considered normal in cats. Read today's blog post to find out how you can best check your cat's teeth and what changing teeth in your cat is all about.

The kitten's teeth: How many teeth does a kitten have?

The change of teeth in cats is divided into three phases. While the first two tooth phases occur in kittenhood, stage 3 only begins with increasing age. In kittenhood, the teeth and jaw change within a few weeks. Kittens are toothless after birth. Similar to other mammals, the milk teeth only develop within the second to third week of life.

The first teeth to appear are usually the canines and incisors. The remaining teeth and molars follow about a week later. At around eight weeks, the kitten's milk teeth are complete. The kitten now has 26 teeth. At this point, it is time to wean the little cat from its mother and switch to solid food.

The change of teeth in cats: time for the right teeth

The cat gets its adult teeth at the age of four to six weeks. The baby teeth of cats give way to the permanent teeth relatively quickly. The proportions of the skull and jaw also develop with the permanent teeth. How long it takes for a cat to change teeth depends largely on the breed. In addition, not all of the milk teeth fall out at the same time in kittens. The change of teeth can take several weeks. However, the change of teeth should be complete by the seventh month of life. The cat now has 28 teeth.

Age-related tooth loss

Natural tooth loss is not uncommon in senior cats. Cats kept as house cats generally have fewer problems with missing teeth. If the cause is diseases of the mouth and throat, tartar or gingivitis, this often leads to health problems. Regular dental care for your cat is therefore essential.

How to help your cat with teething

As an attentive observer, you can tell that your cat is starting to shed its teeth by the increased salivation. Sometimes, holding the head at an angle and licking the gums are clear signs that your kitten is molting. Some kittens rub their noses against objects in a particularly conspicuous way, while others try to feel things in a conspicuous way. In rare cases, slow eating can be a sign of molting.

Kittens often show moody behavior during the change of teeth and occasionally have bad breath. The bad smell comes from the dying milk teeth. You can make it easier for your kitten to eat by giving them soft food. Dry food also loosens loose teeth. Teething toys are not very popular with cats, but it can still be helpful if your kitten has the opportunity to chew.

You can also support your kitten during the change of teeth with relaxing gum massages. With the right technique, you can also closely observe your kitten's change of teeth.

How to properly care for your cat's teeth right from the start

Good dental hygiene also plays a fundamental role in cats and prevents secondary diseases. Health begins in the mouth. With our EmmiPet ultrasonic toothbrush you have the ideal companion for effective dental care, right from the start. Carry out dental treatments as comfortably as possible.

Without vibration and without brushing, you can care for your kittens' and cats' teeth easily and with a very high level of acceptance. The painless, thorough and gentle cleaning is carried out 100% using ultrasound technology. Incidentally, this also promotes blood circulation in the tissue, which supports and facilitates the change of teeth.