How Many Teeth Do Cats Have? Dental Problem & Solutions

How many teeth do cats have? Do they have baby teeth? Do cats also face dental issues like us humans? Have you ever thought about these questions? 

A cat has 26 teeth. Like us humans, the cats also have baby teeth or temporary teeth. Also, these little fellows can suffer from dental problems. 

The teeth of a feline are white as pearls. But they are not as flat as ours. It is because the cats are carnivorous and do not live on salad and vegetables. There are many interesting facts on cat teeth. I will discuss everything in this article. 

How Many Teeth Do Cats Have? 

The cats also have non-permanent or baby teeth. All the baby teeth erupt at the age of 2 to 3 weeks. A young cat has a total number of 26 teeth, while the adult one has 30 teeth. 

A young cat has

A healthy adult cat has

When does a cat get its teeth? 

Usually, the teething process can start when the kitten is around 2 to 4 weeks. Just like human babies, the kitten also starts biting soft stuff when their baby teeth grow. You will also notice the kitten doing excessive meowing and hissing. But all of these are normal and a part of the teething process. 

To make sure your kitty’s teeth are excellent and strong, you need to feed it vitamin and mineral enriched food items. The nutritious foods keep the kitten’s teeth strong and help the pet have a healthy body. 

If your cat is healthy and does not have any dental issues, it will have around 30 teeth at 1. The time can vary depending on the growth and health of the feline.

Cats Teeth and Dental Problems:

Like us humans, cats can also suffer from dental issues. Dental conditions can be painful for the felines. Here are some common symptoms that a cat will show in case it is having teeth ache: 

• Vomiting 
• Drooling 
• Bad breath 
• Loss of appetite 
• Swollen or bleeding gum 

Loss of appetite is the main sign you should recognize. If the pain is unbearable, the feline will stop eating at all. And do you know what happens if a cat does not eat for more than 24 hours? It falls sick and becomes too weak to move. So, if you notice your feline losing appetite, consult a vet. 

Let’s see what dental problems can happen to a cat:

1. Malocclusion: If the relation between the upper jaw and the lower jaw is abnormal, it results in malocclusion. You can also call it an abnormal bite or overbite. If a cat is suffering from this condition, it will hamper the cat’s regular eating function. It will also cause great pain to the feline. 
2. Oral tumors : Squamous is the most common oral tumor that can occur in cats. To get a favorable outcome, your cat should be diagnosed at the very first stage and go through medications. But unfortunately, most cats’ diagnoses are made late, so the stats of living cats are not good. 
3. Periodontal disease: This is a common disease among the felines. The cat will feel inflammation around the teeth muscles. This can hurt your cat, but the disease is curable with proper medication. 
4. Stomatitis: This dental condition is a nightmare for the cats. The stomatitis means the inflammation of the cavities. This condition is so painful that the sick cat can not enjoy eating or quality life. Though treating the Stomatities requires extreme care, this is totally curable.
5. Tooth resorption: This is a pretty serious condition. The enamel and the gum line of the tooth start breaking down, and with no time, the tooth will be gone. Your cat will go unbearable pain if it suffers tooth resorption. The feline may experience oral bleeding, salvation, and difficulty eating due to this condition.

Maintain cat’s tooth health

A cat can not maintain its teeth health on its own. You need to do it on behalf of the feline. Some of you may ask me why you should take care of the cat’s teeth. Well, if you don’t, the cat will suffer from the dental issues I have just mentioned. Besides, the pet may get bad breath, gum disease, cavities, tooth decay, tartar build-up, and so on. 

The good thing is, you can prevent the dental problems of a cat. How? Simple, by brushing its teeth. Cat teeth cleaning is the best way to prevent plaque and tartar. 

But do not use your toothpaste for the cat. This can be harmful to the feline’s health. Instead, buy the commercial toothpaste and toothbrush that are specially made for cats. However, brushing the cat’s teeth regularly will keep them strong, and the chance of any dental issue will reduce. 

Your pet cat may not show any interest in brushing. So, introduce this habit slowly. Reward the pet afterward. Use a comfortable brush for the feline. Also, while brushing the cat’s teeth, look carefully for any signs of dental problems. 

Interesting facts on cat’s teeth 

The cat’s teeth are a bit similar to us humans. But of course, there are a lot of differences. Here are some of the most interesting facts on a cat’s teeth: 

• Kittens do not have any tooth when they are born. 
• It takes 2 to 4 weeks to get the first baby tooth for the kittens. 
• A young cat has 26 teeth. On the other hand, an adult cat has 30 teeth. 
• The temporary teeth of a kitten fall out around the age of 11 weeks. 
• The baby teeth do not fall off if the kitten is suffering from retained deciduous teeth condition. 

How many teeth do cats have? You have got your answer. Like us humans, keeping the teeth clean is also important for the felines. So, make sure your cat has strong and excellent teeth. 

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