Just like humans, kittens also have baby teeth that fall out before their permanent teeth come in. Here, our Hohenwald vets explain kitten teething and how you can help relieve any discomfort they may be feeling.
When do kittens start teething?
When your kitten begins to get its first teeth, you may wonder, 'How can I tell how old a kitten is by its teeth?' While there is no specific kitten teeth chart, kittens all get each set of teeth around the same age.
Kittens are born with no visible teeth but will get their first ones at just three weeks old. Kitten's baby teeth are called milk or deciduous teeth.
Your kitten will get their incisors and primary canines first, and then the rest follow shortly afterward. Kittens will have all their baby teeth by eight weeks normally but it could be as early as six weeks. So now that your kitten has all of their baby teeth, the next question is, 'When do kitten's baby teeth fall out?'.
When do kittens lose their baby teeth?
Kittens typically lose their baby teeth at around 12 weeks or three months of age. By six months, they should have a full set of 30 adult teeth, although some cats may take up to 9 months for all their adult teeth to come in.
It's important to take good care of your cat's adult teeth since they will have them for the rest of their life.
The recommended feline dental care routine includes daily brushing with cat-safe toothpaste and annual professional dental cleanings and examinations.
Additionally, dental treats for cats can help prevent plaque buildup. Consult your veterinarian to determine the best dental care plan for your cat. Your kitten's baby teeth can also help indicate their age, and your vet can use their teeth as a guide to determine their age accurately.
What are the most common signs of kitten teething?
Some signs that indicate your kitten may be teething include:
- Vocalizing more, from small to loud meows
- Increased chewing, especially on soft items
- Drooling
- Bleeding gums
- Chewing food more slowly
- Eating less
- Crankiness
- Hesitant to bite at or shake toys
- Pawing at mouth
Most of these symptoms should not be a cause for concern; however, you should still monitor your kitten. If you notice excessive bleeding, a complete lack of appetite, or any odd smell from your cat's mouth, they could suffer from an infection. Make an appointment with your vet to have the issue professionally diagnosed.
How to Help a Teething Kitten
Thankfully, several options are available to help your teething kitten. You can try to:
- Offer soft food, either a canned diet or kibble soaked in warm water
- Make sure they get plenty of interactive playtime with you to keep them busy and tire them out
- Make ice cubes of low-sodium chicken broth or diluted tuna juice for them to play with and chew on. The ice will soothe irritated gums. This is an especially popular item during hot weather!
- Provide soft toys to chew on
- Provide pet-safe cat grass for snacking.
Discomfort is usually mild and should resolve itself. For extreme cases of pain, contact your veterinarian.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.