Changing teeth in kittens. Milk teeth in kittens. Possible complications during the period of teeth change. Cat tooth loss

To find out when kittens change their baby teeth to permanent ones, read the article. Here you will receive detailed information about this issue.

It is noteworthy that small kittens, like children, are born without teeth. And over time, they grow milk teeth, which then tend to fall out and change to permanent ones. Of course, in cats, the process of growing baby teeth occurs faster than in humans, but animals also experience discomfort. Let's find out in detail how this process occurs in cats.

When do kittens change their baby teeth to permanent ones, at what age?

Kittens begin to develop their first teeth at two weeks of age. When a kitten is two months old, it already has all its milk teeth (26 in total). After some time, when the kitten grows up, the milk teeth lose their relevance and begin to gradually fall out. The replacement of baby teeth occurs at three to five months. It all depends on what breed the cat is and its individual development.

Pet owners will be able to notice this process in any way. The cat will behave anxiously and its habits will change. Your task is to give your animal maximum attention. And if baby tooth for some reason it does not fall out, it will have to be removed so that the cat does not have problems in the future. By seven months, the process of changing baby teeth in young cats is usually completed. The pet becomes the owner of thirty permanent teeth.

Change of baby teeth in kittens and cats: signs, symptoms

Animals, like people, do not tolerate the process of changing baby teeth well. They are also concerned about the discomfort during this period. In addition, the following may also appear: symptoms:

Pets become lethargic and sometimes begin to get sick, because during this period their immune system becomes weak.
Even during the change of teeth, sometimes a smell appears from the kitten’s mouth, which quickly disappears as the process progresses.
Kittens begin to chew on all sorts of objects, and they can also bite your legs and arms. The main thing for you is to make sure that this does not subsequently become a habit of the animal. Otherwise, your cat will continue to bite your fingers, etc.
Cats lose their teeth, you can find them on the floor or somewhere else in the room. If you are a caring owner, then pay attention to the cat’s oral cavity. It is necessary that there is no suppuration anywhere. If a painful area occurs, take your pet to the veterinarian. Oddly enough, animals can also suffer from dental problems.

Milk teeth fall out in cats and kittens

Which teeth fall out first in kittens?

The kitten's incisors will be the first to fall out. The process takes place in three to four months. If the kitten is not sick with anything and is well fed, then the change of teeth occurs normally, without any complications. Experts advise feeding animals meat (solid food), then they will not develop plaque on their teeth and, as a result, will not develop tartar.

At what months do kittens change their fangs?

Immediately behind the incisors, the fangs begin to fall out, in the place of which permanent, strong teeth begin to grow. At this time (when they grow permanent teeth) your furry baby will also benefit from vitamins and minerals. Thanks to them, your animal will tolerate changing teeth well and will not get sick. It is better not to do routine vaccinations during the growth of permanent teeth, due to the weakened immune system pet.

Don't worry if your kitten refuses to eat during this period. After all, sometimes teeth do not allow you to eat properly. But when a cat does not eat for more than one day, then the problems may be more serious than changing the baby fangs. In this case, visit a veterinarian. Let the doctor diagnose the animal.

Do fold-eared kittens lose teeth?

IN Lately The Scottish Fold breed has gained particular popularity. These cats are very kind creatures, they love their owners, and they get along well with other pets in the apartment.

Kittens do not require special care and are not picky about their maintenance. It happens to them different colors: from gray-smoky color to bright red. The fur of such cats is short, uniform, plush, so to speak.

The teeth of a purebred kitten, like those of ordinary cats, grow almost the same. Little fluffies are born without teeth. In a month or two they already become toothy, by which time they already have twenty-six milk teeth. At three to four months, baby teeth begin to fall out, and permanent teeth grow in to replace those that have already fallen out. At seven months, the process of changing teeth ends.

Scottish kittens' teeth

Be attentive to your pets. If, during the loss of milk teeth, the kitten behaves differently than usual, meows often, and does not eat even the most delicious treats, then it has health problems. Maybe your gums are inflamed or there are other difficulties. Examine your pet after washing your hands. In case of severe inflammation of the gums, do not delay a visit to the veterinarian.

Video: Caring for a cat when changing teeth

It is no secret that cats, just like people, are born without teeth and need special care. You can read about how to care for kittens here. However, when baby kittens are 2 weeks old, their first teeth – incisors – erupt. And, by the 8th week (maximum up to the 12th week of life), representatives of the cat family already have a full set of milk teeth in their mouths.

Today we will tell you about how kittens go through the process of teething, and how a cat’s baby teeth change to permanent ones... And, we’ll also tell you what you, the cat’s owners, need to know about the teeth of your mustachioed-striped pet...

How and when do baby teeth change in cats?

If your kitten has before he reaches 3-5 months of age teeth changing process didn’t happen - don’t worry too much about it. Due to the developmental characteristics of the animal, deviations from the schedule may be allowed, and this is completely acceptable. The main thing is that the sequence of changing teeth is strictly observed:

first the incisors are replaced,
then fangs,
Well, the molars and premolars change last.

How many baby teeth does a cat have?

A kitten has only 26 baby teeth,

and these teeth erupt in the following sequence - primary incisors are born at 2-4 weeks, they are accompanied by fangs at 3-4 weeks, and premolars are the last to appear by the age of 8 weeks. Therefore, the answer to the question that interests all “cat people” is “When does a kitten’s teeth begin to change?” sounds quite clear - by 4 months. These processes do not begin earlier, but later everything is possible...

How many permanent teeth does a cat have?

As for permanent teeth in adult felines, there are only 30 of them (4 more than milk teeth),

and they are located as follows - on the top and lower jaw there are 6 incisors and 2 canines, on upper jaw– 4 molars, 3 on the lower jaw. It is noteworthy that

every 3rd of the teeth in both the upper and lower jaws is considered to be the largest, and this normal phenomenon, which is not something to be afraid of.

What to do if teeth change does not occur

But, what to do if baby teeth don't fall out? In each specific case, consultation with a specialist is again necessary. So, if a tooth interferes with the growth of another, deforms the dentition and injures the gums, it makes sense to think about removing it - but only in a specialist’s office, and not on your own, if the new permanent teeth grow evenly, and the old tooth does not bother your cat – don’t rush things. Nature will sort everything out on its own.

Cat dental care

Cat's diet during teething

As for the issues of feeding during the change of teeth, there are no special requirements here, since in any case, the animal’s nutrition should be complete, healthy and healthy, therefore, if your cat eats this way all the time, then you don’t have to change anything much have to.

What vitamins does a cat need when changing teeth?

Well, what you need to pay attention to is vitamins. Also in mandatory the animal must be given calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals, as a dietary supplement. Why is this so important, and what can happen to an animal if it does not receive enough vitamins, one of ours will tell you.

Changing teeth is a natural and very significant process in the life of kittens, which begins between 3 and 5 months and can take about 12-16 weeks. This phenomenon occurs differently for everyone: some endure these temporary difficulties with heroic fortitude, others become anxious, begin to chew on surrounding objects and meow loudly.

Milk teeth in kittens

New owners of tiny purring mustaches are often interested in the question: do cats have baby teeth and do they fall out in the same way as humans? A loving owner must know not only when a cat’s baby teeth fall out, but also have information on how to alleviate the condition of his four-legged friend.

Like all mammals, they are born completely toothless. At 2-3 weeks, the first baby teeth appear in the form of tiny incisors, concentrated in front. At 3-4 weeks of life, fangs grow, and at 3-8 weeks, small molars (premolars) begin to emerge. In total, the baby has 26 baby teeth.

By about 2-3 months, kittens acquire a full set of teeth, represented by 12 incisors (6 teeth each in the upper and lower parts), 4 canines (2 each in the lower and upper parts) and 10 small molars (6 in the upper part and 4 in the lower part) .

The appearance of all milk teeth signals the animal’s readiness to eat solid food and refuse. Temporary teeth are ideal White color, and their composition is represented by various minerals, among which calcium occupies a special place. It is he who, in the required quantities, allows the baby to chew hard foods. At the stage of intrauterine development and in the first months of life, the kitten’s body wastes huge reserves of calcium on the formation of bone tissue.

Interesting. The structure of the dental system in cats is remarkable in that the teeth are not able to grow or recover in the event of injury or defects. This indicates that the kitten continues to grow, and its baby teeth remain unchanged.

Nature has not ignored this fact, and therefore the first kittens to erupt are miniature incisors, which outwardly harmonize with the small size of the animal’s jaw.

As the kitten grows up, it undergoes a natural replacement of milk teeth with permanent ones, which at first looks strange and absurd: in the mouth of the not yet grown up mustache there are large teeth, like those of an adult cat. Over time, this discrepancy “smoothes out.”

At what age do cats lose their baby teeth?

Baby teeth begin to change at three to four months.

At 4-6 months of age, the intensive growth of kittens stops and it’s time to change teeth. Temporary teeth are pushed out by growing permanent teeth, which are almost immediately visible on the surface of the empty gum area. Teeth are replaced in the same sequence as they grow at first.

First, the incisors are replaced, then the canines, and only then comes the turn of the premolars. According to existing standards, the average kitten completes a complete change of teeth by 6-7 months of life. At this time, the fluffy can boast ,represented by 30 units:

12 incisors;
4 fangs;
10 small molars (premolars);
4 large molars (molars) are the only teeth in cats that are not milk teeth and appear only at the age of 5-6 months.

In a cat, each tooth of the permanent row performs a specific function: the incisors help to capture and tear food, the fangs are dangerous weapons for hunting and protection from enemies, and the molars play the role of scissors, cutting and chewing food.

How to tell if baby teeth are falling out

When changing teeth, the kitten chews on everything.

Basically, the change of baby teeth goes almost unnoticed by the owners. Sometimes the only sign of a tooth falling out is a tooth found around the perimeter of the apartment, which is more likely to frighten family members. However, there are a number of symptoms confirming that the process has already been activated:

increased salivation – ;
short-term bleeding of the gums, often going unnoticed;
loose teeth;
slight loss of appetite;
increased desire to bite and gnaw everything that comes into the pet’s possession.

By appearance teeth can also be understood that they have changed. Baby teeth are excessively sharp and small in size, the fangs are slightly curved and thinned in the gum area. Permanent fangs straighter, less sharp and without thinning the neck of the tooth.

A frequent indicator of a change in teeth is the so-called polyteeth, when a kitten grows eight fangs instead of the proper four. In fact, the permanent teeth do not erupt in the same alveolus as the baby teeth, but nearby. Therefore, the following picture is observed: temporary fangs have not yet had time to fall out, but new ones have already become visible.

The kitten's new fangs are visible when the pet meows.

IN exceptional cases the germinating tooth can compress the root of the milk tooth, which contributes to severe discomfort pet. He begins to whine pitifully, practically does not eat, looks sick and lethargic. The problem can be solved by simply removing the excess tooth, but only a veterinarian should carry out such a procedure. If necessary, he will use local or general anesthesia, and subsequently identify the cause of the illness.

Peculiarities of cat behavior when changing teeth

Regardless of whether they belong to the milk or permanent series, kittens’ teeth can grow in with some difficulty, causing discomfort to the baby. When they lose their pets, they become more capricious and nervous and require increased attention from their owners. You need to wait out this difficult period with dignity - soon all the baby’s teeth will come out, and he will again become happy and carefree.

A tireless desire to bite and gnaw on something is considered a normal phenomenon when changing teeth: toys, bed sheets, furniture, wires, rubber, shoes and clothing, etc. A kitten may unknowingly bite the owner’s arms and legs during games, but this behavior, if not stopped in a timely manner, can develop into bad habit. And in the future already adult cat with developed sharp and strong teeth, it will, in the old fashioned way, playfully dig its fangs and incisors into human limbs.

Often the process of loss is accompanied by hair loss, which is a completely natural phenomenon. As soon as the situation with your teeth improves, there will be no trace of the smell left.

Important. Until cats, regardless of whether it is a British cat or an ordinary yard Murka, complete the process of changing teeth, it is not recommended to vaccinate.

During this period, the body's defenses weaken, and vaccination has a powerful effect on them. If the moment of vaccination was missed during the growth of baby teeth, you should wait until the teeth are completely replaced and vaccinate your pet after 6-7 months.

Baby teeth don't fall out - what to do

The kitten becomes lethargic and sleeps more during teeth changes.

In most cases, the natural change of teeth does not require outside intervention, however, there are cases when the primary canines are not going to leave their shelter in oral cavity. This phenomenon prevents the eruption of new permanent teeth and can cause serious complications:

malocclusion;
damage to soft gums and palate;
formation of wounds and ulcers on the mucous membrane;
problems with bone tissue jaws;

Failure of baby teeth to fall out is a direct indication for visiting a veterinarian and subsequent removal of excess teeth. Such an event is carried out under anesthesia, so the pet will not feel anything, which means stress can be avoided.

In the video, the veterinarian talks about the order and age of replacement of baby teeth in kittens:

Our pets become real family members, and we take care of their health as if it were our own. If a cat loses a tooth, this becomes a real cause for concern for loving owners. After all, we know how such a problem would affect our condition. Therefore, the search for reasons and possible solutions becomes task number one if the cat’s teeth begin to fall out.

Milk teeth and their replacement

In most cases, kittens are born without teeth. Milk teeth erupt at 7-14 days of age. When a kitten reaches 2 months of age, it should have 26 teeth. Baby teeth begin to fall out when the kitten is about 3-4 months old and this process lasts about 3-4 months. If your kitten is 7 months or younger, then teeth may fall out and this is normal. Track general state your pet’s health, and also monitor the condition of its gums and teeth, count how many teeth have fallen out and which ones.

The replacement of milk teeth with permanent ones occurs with the following symptoms::

excessive salivation;
decreased activity;
increased excitability;
chewing surrounding objects.

In a cat, the replacement of teeth with permanent ones should be completed by approximately 7 months of age. An adult animal should have 30 teeth: 12 incisors (6 each on the upper and lower jaws), 4 canines (2 on both jaws), 10 premolars (4 on the upper and 6 lower jaws) and 4 molars (2 on each jaws).

Other causes of tooth loss

At proper care, availability balanced nutrition and in the absence of external traumatic factors, cats retain their teeth until old age.

If a baby tooth falls out in a cat that is under 1 year old, then this is normal. Warning sign for the owner if a tooth falls out in a cat whose age exceeds 1 year. By this time, the replacement of milk teeth with permanent ones should be completed. If teeth continue or suddenly begin to fall out, then this is a sign of pathology.

In cats, a lost tooth may be a signal of one of the causes:

oral injuries;
decreased immune system defenses;
violation of microflora in the oral cavity;
lack of vitamins and minerals;
metabolic disease;
tartar;
reception hormonal drugs or antibiotics;
diseases of the gums and teeth (pulpitis, gingivitis, caries, periodontitis, stomatitis);
malocclusion;
viral and infectious diseases;
diseases gastrointestinal tract;
oncological diseases.

Some reasons why teeth may fall out are quite obvious to owners and do not require seeing a doctor. If a cat's fang has fallen out, it is likely due to injury. Usually, it is enough to simply treat the wound and ensure that the injury site heals. But sometimes it is quite difficult to determine why a cat’s teeth are falling out. In this case, it is necessary to monitor the pet, track any changes in behavior and health. Such information can help the veterinarian select appropriate examination methods and make the correct diagnosis.

What symptoms accompany tooth loss?

A cat's tooth may fall out various reasons. If this was due to injury, but specific symptoms there may not be. However, if a pet who has lost a tooth experiences changes in behavior and other signs, this should be a cause for concern and seeking medical attention.

Symptoms that may accompany tooth loss:

copious amounts of saliva;
swollen gums;
redness of the gums;
bleeding from the gums;
the presence of ulcers in the oral cavity;
presence of pus in saliva;
increased excitability, aggression, irritability;
refusal of food and drink;
having difficulty chewing;
bad breath.

If your cat has lost a tooth, you should not ignore it. This may be a sign of a serious pathology. The spread of infection in the oral cavity can cause serious illnesses internal organs.

How to help a cat

What to do if a cat’s teeth fall out is a rather complex question that cannot be answered unequivocally. Depending on the reasons, the method to solve the problem will be different.

First of all, it is necessary to observe the animal whose tooth has fallen out and note (preferably write down) any changes in its habitual behavior. This could be a change in activity, a change in character, or a refusal to eat. And also more obvious signs– bad breath, presence of bloody or purulent discharge from the oral cavity. All this data is necessary for the veterinarian to determine what examinations are needed for an animal whose tooth has fallen out. This information will also help in making a diagnosis.

Depending on why the tooth fell out, the following solutions to the problem may be suggested::

selection proper diet nutrition;
taking medications to strengthen the immune system and teeth;
treatment of gum diseases;
removal of tartar;
treatment of the underlying disease.

Most often, a cat's teeth begin to loosen and fall out due to tartar. The veterinarian will suggest scaling. This procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia. However, it is best to carry it out under so-called “premedication”. These drugs cause less harm to the pet's health. During the procedure, the animal will be conscious (which will be stressful for it), but will not be able to resist. After this, the cat needs the same care as after general anesthesia, in 24 hours.

Prevention of tooth loss

It is easier to prevent any disease than to treat it. Tooth loss in cats can be prevented if you pay due attention to the health of your pets. In nature, the animal consumes all the products it needs and can clean its teeth by chewing grass and branches. Living in an apartment, the cat is deprived of this, and the owners must provide him with all the necessary conditions.

Diseases of gums and teeth, as well as their loss, can be prevented if the following conditions are met::

A balanced diet that includes everything essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
Oral hygiene.
Regular examination by a veterinarian.
Timely treatment of gum diseases.

When visiting the veterinarian for the first time with your pet, you should find out detailed information regarding the above points. The doctor will give detailed advice on caring for your cat and tell you what needs to be done to avoid dental and gum diseases.

To clean your cat's teeth, use a special toothbrush or a children's toothbrush. A special brush for cleaning pets' teeth usually has 2 brushes at the ends - a large one for dogs and a small one for cats. You should not use your usual toothpaste. Its components may harm your pet's health. Special toothpastes for pets are produced. In retail chains you can most often find toothpastes for dogs. They are also suitable for cats.

To brush your cat's teeth, you need to pick him up in a non-excited state. It is advisable that he be sleepy. You should not interrupt your cat's play to carry out the procedure. Apply a small amount of paste onto the brush and gently scrub your teeth and gums. Get ready for excessive salivation and resistance from the cat.

If your cat has not lost a tooth, but has inflamed gums, you should also consult a veterinarian about your actions. The most common recommendation is to treat gums with dental gels. These medicines are sold in regular pharmacies, are intended for people, but are also suitable for animals. Apply a little gel to your finger and massage your gums. The cat will salivate profusely. After this procedure, he may become a little lethargic and sleepy.

By analogy with themselves, the owners of the cat think that if it is toothless, it will not be able to eat. Yes, a wild animal that has lost its fangs will have difficulty hunting. After all, it is with its fangs that a cat kills its prey. But in the process of eating, cat teeth are practically not involved, only the incisors are used to tear off pieces of meat, and the premolars are used to grind the veins. A domestic cat, having lost its teeth, will not die of hunger, because it receives food in a ready-made form: it does not need to bite off pieces, nor does it need to chew. Cats' jaws are not designed for chewing.

Baby teeth

Like many mammals, kittens are born toothless. A little later, at the age of two weeks, baby teeth begin to grow: it is during this period that the baby learns to use them and bites constantly. And it will bite like that for another six months. The playfulness and activity of healthy kittens often makes the process of changing canines and incisors unnoticed, so many owners don’t even know whether cats lose their baby teeth?

By three months of age, the kitten will have a full set of baby teeth: on each jaw there are six incisors, two canines, and 3-4 premolars (three on the lower and four on the upper jaw). Then, within three months, they change to radical ones.

If the eruption of baby teeth is practically asymptomatic, then their loss can be noticed by characteristic signs:

a clear increase in salivation;
mobility of teeth and slight bleeding of gums;
decreased appetite;
increased “biteness”: the baby bites all the time and gnaws on everything, probably because the process of changing to permanent ones is accompanied by a slight itching.

When cats lose their baby teeth, no special help is needed, everything happens naturally. The owner only requires regular treatment of the oral cavity, as well as careful attention to nutrition: it is necessary to increase the percentage of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C in the diet. These can be additional dairy products, especially kefir and cottage cheese, or nutritional supplements, recommended veterinarian, special .

When do you need a dentist?

In rare cases, your baby may need dental help. Often the molars grow in before the baby teeth fall out, but if this does not cause discomfort, there is no need to be afraid of increased toothiness. Although it happens that a new tooth blocks the root of a tooth that has not fallen out and causes pain. This problem can even affect the kitten’s well-being: the baby loses appetite and completely refuses to eat, meowing all the time. If you don’t consult a doctor, nothing terrible will happen: the baby tooth will fall out anyway, and the baby’s condition will return to normal. But you can also help: remove the extra tooth. True, you shouldn’t do this yourself; it’s better to consult a veterinarian-dentist. Moreover, such rapid growth of molars may be a sign malocclusion, abnormal jaw structure or some other pathology.

Traumatic tooth loss

This happens rarely (from a fall or, God forbid, from a beating) and requires mandatory medical care. Even if the cat seems to feel fine, you need to show it to a doctor. An injury that results in a piece breaking off or the entire tooth falling out is most likely very serious; cats’ fangs do not fall out from a light blow. Therefore, you need to at least check if there are any other hidden damages.

Age-related tooth loss

Do adult cats lose teeth? Another pressing question. In general, a healthy animal’s teeth do not fall out as they age. But some diseases can provoke diseases of the oral cavity, and dental problems will be their consequence.

Why does a cat's teeth fall out? In first place among the provoking diseases are dental diseases, especially with the participation of infectious agents: , caries, oral dysbacteriosis. This primacy is due to improper care: most dental problems can be avoided with the help of conventional prevention: yes, cats also need to brush their teeth and visit the dentist twice a year.

Infectious diseases can cause dental problems respiratory tract And respiratory infections, complications of which, as a rule, are the same inflammatory processes in the gums. The cat’s teeth also fall out as a result of complications that develop against the background of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and metabolic disorders (lack of calcium and ascorbic acid, various ). But even in this case, problems can be avoided if you take preventive measures responsibly.

If a tooth falls out...

If the fang falls out on its own, then usually no action is required from the owner other than preventive treatment: the cat’s saliva has pronounced bactericidal effects and is often much more effective than antiseptics. As a last resort, you can use a chlorhexidine solution or special disinfectants to sanitize the oral cavity. But sometimes help will be needed, for example, with severe bleeding from an empty socket or with possible infection.

Prosthetics for cats

Prosthetic methods exist in veterinary medicine, and they are often used if a show-class cat’s tooth has fallen out, so that the qualification ratings do not decrease. However, dental prosthetics for animals has many disadvantages: grinding and building up teeth sharply increases the risk of caries and inflammatory processes in the gums, dentures have traumatic side effects(bedsores and constant microtrauma of the gums), and implants and pins do not take root well. All this side effect will not add health to the animal, but improper care or errors in prosthetics can even shorten his life. Therefore, if your cat’s teeth have fallen out, you should assess all the risks, weigh the pros and cons before deciding what to do.