Kittens are born without any teeth. They have to rely on their mother’s milk for their initial nutrition. Around 3-4 weeks of age, kittens start getting their first set of baby or deciduous teeth. These teeth are small, needle-sharp and help kittens transition from nursing to eating solid food. By around 6-8 weeks, kittens have all of their baby teeth. Around 3-4 months, the permanent or adult teeth start coming in to replace the baby teeth. This process continues over several months until the permanent teeth fully erupt. Usually by 6-7 months of age, kittens have lost all their baby teeth and have their full set of adult teeth.
Newborn Kittens Are Toothless
Kittens are born without any teeth. According to Kitten Lady, newborn kittens have no teeth at birth and their gums may appear bright pink and swollen.
Under the gums, kittens have tooth buds that will eventually erupt and become teeth. But when they are first born, their gums are smooth with no signs of teeth.
Because they have no teeth, newborn kittens can only drink milk from their mother. They are unable to eat solid food until they grow in their baby teeth.
Kittens Get Baby Teeth Around 3-4 Weeks
The first set of needle-like teeth erupt around 3-4 weeks old. These are the deciduous or baby teeth which are also called milk teeth. According to the Mountainaire Animal Clinic, deciduous teeth start erupting through the gums at around three to four weeks of age (https://www.mountainaireanimalclinic.com/site/blog/2022/06/15/signs-your-kitten-teething).
The initial teeth that come in are the incisors, which are the small front teeth. Kittens use these teeth for biting and nibbling solid food. By around 6-8 weeks old, kittens will have all of their baby teeth. These teeth help them sample solid foods and transition from nursing.
Kittens Have All Baby Teeth by 6-8 Weeks
By 6-8 weeks old, kittens have a full set of 26 baby teeth[1]. These include incisors, canines and premolars. Kittens have 3 incisors on top and 3 on the bottom, 2 canines on top and 2 on the bottom, and 6 premolars on top and 6 on the bottom. This full set of deciduous teeth allows kittens to transition from nursing to eating solid food.
Having all their baby teeth emerged gives kittens the ability to bite, chew and tear food effectively. It also aids in weaning from their mother’s milk to solid foods. While kittens still nurse from their mother until around 8 weeks old, having a full set of baby teeth allows them to start eating wet and dry kitten food more easily.
[1] https://animaldental.com.au/information/kitten-teeth/
Adult Teeth Start Coming In Around 3-4 Months
Around 12-16 weeks, permanent adult teeth start erupting. According to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, kittens will get their adult incisors first. The incisors are the small teeth at the front of the jaw used for biting and tearing food. The incisors are usually the first adult teeth to come in.
As Hill’s Pet Nutrition explains, “The incisors at the front of the mouth are the first to arrive. Next come the long, sharp canine teeth for grabbing prey. The premolars and molars at the back of the mouth — for chewing and grinding food — come last.”
So while the incisor teeth come in first, gradually the canine teeth, premolars, and molars will start erupting too over the next few months. Mountainaire Animal Clinic notes the entire permanent tooth transition process takes 4-6 months from start to finish.
The Process Takes Several Months
Adult teeth come in gradually over several months as the baby teeth fall out. The incisors and canines are usually the first adult teeth to erupt around 3-4 months of age. The premolars come in next around 4-5 months old. Finally, the molars are usually the last to erupt around 6-7 months old.1
So while some adult teeth may start coming in around 3-4 months, the full set of adult teeth is not complete until around 6-7 months of age. This is because it takes time for each of the baby teeth to loosen and fall out as the permanent teeth push their way through the gums.
The teething process can last for several months. It’s important to be patient and allow kittens time to complete this transition from baby teeth to adult teeth. Provide kittens with chew toys and soft foods during this time for comfort.
Kittens Have All Adult Teeth by 6-7 Months
By 6-7 months old, kittens have all 30 adult teeth. By this age, their baby teeth are fully replaced by permanent adult teeth including premolars, molars and canines. The entire teething process from birth to a full set of adult teeth typically takes 6-7 months.
According to the Mountainaire Animal Clinic, “Your cat should have a full set of 30 adult teeth by the age of six months. Some may take up to 9 months to get a full set of adult teeth.”
The baby teeth are gradually pushed out and replaced as the permanent teeth come in. By the time a kitten is 6-7 months old, all of the milk teeth will have fallen out on their own as the adult teeth have grown in.
Baby Teeth Fall Out on Their Own
Kittens naturally lose their baby teeth as their permanent adult teeth erupt and push through the gums. As the adult teeth come in, the roots of the baby teeth naturally dissolve and the teeth become loose and fall out on their own without causing the kitten any pain or discomfort.[1]
The baby teeth don’t need to be pulled or extracted. They simply fall out as the kitten chews on toys or food. Owners may find baby teeth on the floor or ground after they fall out.
It’s important not to try to manually remove any baby teeth that appear loose. Let them come out naturally to avoid injuring the kitten’s gums or developing teeth. The exception is if a baby tooth doesn’t fall out on its own after the permanent tooth has erupted.
[1]“How (and When) Do Cats Lose Baby Teeth?”, Harmonyanimalhospital.net, 2022. https://www.harmonyanimalhospital.net/pet-dental-care-cats-lose-baby-teeth-2/
Retained Baby Teeth May Need Extraction
Sometimes baby teeth don’t fall out on their own and need to be surgically extracted by a veterinarian. This is known as retained deciduous teeth. According to VCA Hospitals, retained deciduous teeth “occurs when the tooth root of a deciduous tooth is either incompletely resorbed or it did not resorb at all and as a result, does not fall out.”
It’s important to extract retained baby teeth because they can cause misalignment of permanent teeth or lead to dental problems later in life (VCA Hospitals). The permanent tooth may grow in crooked or at an abnormal angle if the baby tooth doesn’t fall out. Extraction helps prevent malocclusion and improper bite alignment issues.
Signs of retained deciduous teeth include swelling along the jawline, reluctance to eat hard foods, excessive drooling, and visible baby teeth past 6-7 months of age. Schedule a veterinary dental exam if you notice any of these symptoms.
Conclusion
In summary, kittens are born without any teeth. Around 3-4 weeks of age, their baby teeth start to erupt. By 6-8 weeks old, kittens have all of their baby teeth. Around 3-4 months old, the adult teeth begin to come in as the baby teeth fall out. This transition process lasts several months. By 6-7 months of age, kittens have lost all of their baby teeth and have their full set of adult teeth.
Kittens go through a complete transition from baby teeth to permanent adult teeth by the time they are 6-7 months old. The baby teeth are gradually pushed out and replaced by the emerging adult teeth over the course of several months. This natural process does not require any intervention. You can expect your kitten to have their full adult set of teeth by the time they are 6-7 months old.