Kittens are born completely toothless. The milk teeth, also known as deciduous teeth, will begin to emerge around 2-4 weeks of age. Deciduous teeth are temporarily held in place by each kitten’s jaw to aid in eating solid foods until their permanent adult teeth grow in. The entire process of kitten teething typically spans from 4 weeks to 6 months as they lose their baby teeth and gain a full set of permanent teeth. By around 6 months old, kittens will usually have all of their adult teeth.
This article provides an overview of the kitten teething timeline, including when they get their first baby teeth, lose their deciduous teeth, and gain their permanent adult teeth. We’ll also cover signs of teething, caring for a teething kitten, and potential issues to look out for during this process.
Kittens Are Born Without Teeth
Kittens have no visible teeth at birth. They nurse and digest milk with their gums for the first few weeks of life. According to Vertebrate Organisms – Lecture 24, “Kittens born without teeth.” This allows them to nurse from their mother until their baby teeth start coming in.
Around 2-4 weeks of age, kittens will start to get their first set of baby teeth, also called milk teeth or deciduous teeth. As explained on Stacker, kittens are “born without teeth, then they get 26 baby teeth—also called milk teeth or deciduous teeth—starting around two weeks old.”
Kittens get their first set of deciduous teeth around 3-4 weeks old [1]. These are small, sharp teeth called needle teeth. They help kittens transition to solid food.
The Full Set of Deciduous Teeth
By around 6-8 weeks old, kittens have a full set of 26 deciduous teeth1. These include incisors, canines and premolars. Deciduous teeth help kittens transition from nursing to eating solid food. With their baby teeth, kittens can start chewing kibble and tearing meat into pieces they can swallow1.
The deciduous teeth allow the kittens to learn how to grasp food, chew it up and develop the muscles needed for eating solid foods. The 26 baby teeth play an important developmental role as kittens grow.
Losing Deciduous Teeth
Kittens start losing their deciduous teeth around 3-4 months old as their permanent adult teeth begin to emerge. The deciduous teeth naturally fall out as the permanent teeth push through the gums and take their place in the mouth. This process is similar to when human babies lose their milk teeth.
By the time a kitten reaches around 6 months old, they will have lost their entire set of needle-sharp deciduous teeth as the permanent teeth come in. The permanent teeth are larger, fuller, and better suited for chewing adult cat food and grooming.
Losing deciduous teeth is a normal part of a kitten’s development. As the permanent teeth emerge, it may cause some discomfort, which is why kittens may chew and gnaw on things more during this stage. Providing safe chew toys can help relieve discomfort. Check with a vet if any deciduous teeth do not appear to be naturally falling out as the permanent teeth come in. For more, see this informative source.
Permanent Teeth Timeline
A kitten’s permanent teeth start coming in around 4-5 months old when their baby teeth begin falling out. As the deciduous teeth loosen and detach, the permanent teeth erupt and take their place in the mouth
According to PetMD, the timeline for permanent teeth is:
- Around 4-5 months, the incisors are replaced by permanent incisors
- Between 5-6 months, the canine teeth come in behind the baby canines
- By 6-7 months old, kittens have their full set of 30 adult teeth, though the last molars may still be coming in
- The premolars are usually the last to erupt, coming in fully by 5-7 months
So while most kittens have their entire set of adult teeth by 6-7 months old, a few may take up to 9 months for the last premolars to finish developing.
Signs of Teething
Kittens experience discomfort and pain as their teeth start erupting through their gums. This leads to some common signs that indicate a kitten is teething:
Swollen gums are one of the first signs of teething in kittens. As their teeth get ready to emerge, the gums around where the teeth are pushing through become inflamed and tender.1
Excess drooling often occurs during teething as the kitten’s mouth produces extra saliva to soothe its irritated gums.
Chewing behaviors increase as the pressure of the erupting teeth causes discomfort. Kittens may chew on toys, furniture, hands and feet more often.
Teething kittens frequently have decreased appetite and may turn down food due to mouth soreness.
Irritability is common during teething as the pain and inflammation causes kittens distress. They may vocalize more, seem cranky and sleep less.
Being aware of these signs can help cat owners identify teething and provide proper care to relieve any discomfort for their kitten.
Caring for Teething Kittens
Kittens experience discomfort when they begin losing their deciduous teeth. Here are some tips for caring for your teething kitten:
- Provide chew toys made of rope, soft rubber or cloth. These help massage sore gums and distract from discomfort.
- Feed soft foods like canned kitten food or kitten milk replacement. This reduces strain on tender mouths.
- Gently massage your kitten’s gums with a clean finger to alleviate soreness.
- Be patient and comfort your kitten. Teething can make kittens cranky but stay calm and loving.
With some extra care and affection, you can help your teething kitten feel happier and healthier as they lose those baby teeth.
Potential Issues
Sometimes kittens can experience problems when their adult teeth come in. Here are some potential issues to watch out for:
Retained deciduous teeth – Deciduous teeth should fall out as the permanent teeth come in, but sometimes the deciduous teeth are retained and don’t fall out. This can lead to misalignment of the permanent teeth. According to https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/teething-problems-in-kittens-and-how-to-cope-with-them.html, retained deciduous teeth are one of the most common dental issues in kittens.
Misalignment of permanent teeth – If deciduous teeth are retained, it can force the permanent teeth to come in at an odd angle or become misaligned. According to https://www.petforums.co.uk/threads/teething.15676/, misaligned teeth can lead to difficulties eating and discomfort.
Damage to permanent teeth – Retained deciduous teeth can sometimes damage or displace the permanent teeth coming in underneath. The pressure from the retained teeth can cause defects or issues with the emerging permanent teeth.
Signs to watch for – Signs of potential problems to watch for include excessive drooling, difficulty eating or chewing, loose teeth, swelling along the gumline, and behavioral changes like irritability. If you notice any of these signs, consult your veterinarian.
Key Takeaways
Kittens go through two main stages of teeth development. They are born without any teeth. Around 2-4 weeks of age, they start getting their deciduous or “milk” teeth, which are made up of 26 teeth total. By around 6-7 weeks old, kittens have all their milk teeth. Between 3-7 months of age, kittens start losing their deciduous teeth, which get replaced by permanent adult teeth. By around 7-8 months old, all of the permanent teeth have come in, consisting of 30 teeth total.
It’s important to monitor teething kittens for signs of discomfort like decreased appetite, drooling, and irritability. Provide chew toys and wet food to help soothe sore gums. Contact your vet if signs persist beyond a week or you notice other issues like gum bleeding or swelling.
In summary, kittens undergo two teething phases – first getting their deciduous teeth between 2-7 weeks old, then losing those teeth and getting permanents ones between 3-8 months old. Pay close attention during teething periods to ensure your kitten stays happy and healthy.
