Affectionately dubbed “teefs” by many cat lovers on social media, cat teeth are now considered among the most adorable features of felines.
But their tiny incisors and sharp fangs do more than give them a lovely kitty smile; they’ve evolved to help cats hunt, kill, and eat prey, as well as groom themselves and other cats thoroughly. Given their importance, it’s vital to keep your cat’s teeth in optimal health. So you might wonder if your cat’s perfect set of chompers is bound to have a missing tooth or two in the future.
Well, the answer is that both kittens and cats can experience tooth loss. Losing baby teeth is completely normal for kittens since it allows their adult teeth to grow. In adult cats, however, tooth loss is a major cause for concern as it’s typically a sign of advanced dental or periodontal disease.
Read on as we answer more of your questions about tooth loss in cats, when to expect it, and how to prevent it!
When Do Kittens Start Losing Their Teeth?
At around 3 to 4 weeks old, a kitten will start to develop their first set of teeth called baby teeth, milk teeth, or deciduous teeth. Their incisors are the first to erupt, shortly followed by their canines. Their premolars develop last, erupting at around 5 to 6 weeks old.
Kittens normally have 26 deciduous teeth that are sharp and small in size, with a translucent color that distinguishes them from adult teeth. The growth of their teeth at this stage in their development encourages weaning, as nursing starts to become irritating and mildly painful for their mother cat.
A kitten’s baby teeth are expected to fall out at about 3 to 4 months old to make room for the growth of her adult teeth. If you have a kitten around this age, you can expect to find a tooth here and there on your rugs or bedding. Some kittens also swallow them while eating.
By 9 months old, an adolescent kitten should have all 30 adult teeth in place.
What Are The Signs of Kitten Teething?
Some kittens may find the teething process completely painless, while others may experience symptoms such as:
- Drooling
- Sore gums
- Decreased appetite
- Excessive chewing
- Excessive vocalizing
- Unusual breath odor
- Irritability
How Do I Help My Teething Kitten?
It’s normal for your kitten to experience a little discomfort and soreness while teething. This is due to the development of her adult teeth putting pressure on the roots of her baby teeth to stimulate resorption.
But there are a few ways to help soothe your fur baby’s pain during teething so you can be sure she eats well and stays healthy throughout the process. Here are some ways to provide relief for your teething kitty:
- Feed your kitten only soft food that’s easy to chew. Wet food is preferable, but you can also soak kibble in water if she would rather have dry food.
- Give your kitten chew toys specifically made to help with teething. You can also have her chew on a cold washcloth to soothe any soreness she may be experiencing.
- Pour low-sodium chicken broth or homemade chicken broth with no salt into an ice tray and freeze. Give the ice cubes to your kitten as a treat to help provide pain relief.
- Distract your kitten and tire her out by playing with her more often.
Is It Normal for Adult Cats to Lose Their Teeth?
Tooth loss is a normal part of a kitten’s healthy growth and development, but it’s not normal for adult cats. It’s usually a sign of severe dental or periodontal disease which affects 50% to 90% of cats over the age of 4.
After every meal, plaque forms on your cat’s teeth. Without proper brushing or cleaning, this plaque hardens into tartar and builds up on her teeth and along the gum line. The presence of tartar creates the perfect environment in which bacteria can thrive, leading to diseases like gingivitis. Tartar also pushes the gums away from the teeth, which is why gingivitis causes extreme pain or tooth loss.
Left untreated, gingivitis can develop into advanced periodontal disease, which often plagues mature and senior cats. Symptoms of this disease include:
- Extremely foul odor from the mouth
- Red, swollen, bleeding gums
- Saliva with blood stains
- Drooling
- Difficulty eating
Without proper medical intervention, the harmful bacteria in the mouth can be absorbed into the bloodstream. This will spread to other organs, eventually leading to infections or even organ failure.
Another common culprit of tooth loss is stomatitis, a condition characterized by widespread oral inflammation. Unlike gingivitis, it doesn’t only affect the gums but rather the entire mouth. The exact cause of this disease is unknown, but many veterinary professionals also attribute it to plaque formation and buildup.
Stomatitis is an extremely painful and debilitating oral disease. Besides tooth loss, affected felines may experience symptoms like:
- Severe halitosis
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Unkempt fur due to lack of grooming
- Drooling
Some cats also lose their teeth to mouth injuries, especially feral cats. This can occur when a cat tries to eat something too hard to chew, such as an animal bone, when she falls, or when she gets hit in the mouth.
What Should I Do If My Cat Loses A Tooth?
If your cat has recently lost a tooth or several teeth, it’s extremely important to take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible. They will help diagnose the underlying cause of your cat’s tooth loss and prevent the disease from progressing further.
Early stages of gingivitis can be treated with dental scaling and polishing. In more severe cases of periodontal disease, however, your veterinarian may recommend the extraction of several teeth.
If the culprit is stomatitis, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications for your cat, which will help reduce pain and inflammation. Depending on the severity of the condition, they may also recommend dental cleanings or tooth extractions.
If trauma to the mouth is the cause of your cat’s tooth loss, your veterinarian may be able to reimplant the tooth if it fell out of your kitty’s mouth intact.
Can Cats’ Teeth Grow Back?
Sadly, no. Once a cat loses a tooth or several teeth, there’s no possibility of them growing back. Most veterinary professionals do not recommend dental implants for cats, asserting that there is no reason to do so since felines without teeth can still live long, healthy lives.
How Can I Prevent My Cat From Losing Teeth?
Routine dental care is key to the prevention of dental disease, ensuring your kitty’s pearly whites stay intact even as she grows older!
Here are a few ways to prevent tooth loss in cats:
- Brush your cat’s teeth daily or at least 3 times a week. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste for cats. Never use human toothpaste for your kitty; she might swallow the substance and become ill as a result.
- Give your cat food specially formulated to promote dental health. You can also give her dental treats, as long as you limit her treat intake to 10% of her daily diet.
- Get your cat’s teeth professionally cleaned once a year or once every two years.
How Do I Feed a Cat with Few or No Teeth?
If you recently acquired a senior cat or a shelter cat with very few or no teeth, don’t worry! She can still live a full life and enjoy good food like any other kitty.
Canned wet food is usually the most ideal food for your cat to eat, since it would require minimal chewing. Interestingly enough, some cats without teeth still prefer the taste and texture of kibble. In this case, mixing kibble with wet food might be your best bet.
In Closing
Just like humans, cats can lose their teeth. Kittens lose their baby teeth as a normal part of their healthy development. Conversely, tooth loss in adult cats is alarming; it can be a sign of dental disease or a result of recent trauma to the mouth. The good news is that tooth loss isn’t inevitable in cats. Brushing your cat’s teeth and helping her maintain good oral hygiene will work wonders in ensuring she keeps her perfect set of chompers for life!