A cat’s teeth are sharp and well-suited for slicing meat and crunching bones. The back teeth are especially good at grinding up food. A cat’s top incisors are shorter than the bottom incisors, which helps the cat to grip and tear its prey.
A cat’s tongue is also covered in sharp spines, which help to rasp meat from bones.
How many teeth does a cat have?
- A cat has 30 teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars, and 4 molars. Kittens have 26 baby teeth, which they lose between the ages of 6 and 7 months. Once a kitten loses its baby teeth, its adult teeth start to come in. However, some cats may be missing a few teeth due to genetics or injury.
- Deciduous teeth: All kittens are born with 26 deciduous teeth—12 incisors, 4 canines, and 10 molars. These “baby” teeth start to come in at around 2-3 weeks of age and are all present by 6-7 weeks old.
- Adult teeth: At around 4-6 months of age, the deciduous teeth start to fall out and are replaced by adult teeth. Adult cats have 24 adult teeth—12 incisors, 4 canines, and 8 molars on each side of the jaw.
How Many Teeth Do Cats Need?
Most cats have 30 permanent teeth. However, some breeds of cat may have fewer or more teeth than this.
For example, Siamese cats often only have 26 teeth due to their smaller jaw size. Kittens are born without any teeth (deciduous or baby teeth), and these start to come through at around 2-3 weeks old.
By the time they are 6 months old, most kittens will have a full set of deciduous teeth.
Why Do Cats Lose Their Teeth?
Cats, like all other mammals, are born with a set of “deciduous” or baby teeth. These teeth eventually fall out and are replaced by the animal’s adult teeth. In cats, this process usually occurs between 4 and 6 months of age.
There are a few reasons why cats lose their teeth.
The most common reason is simply because they are growing and their adult teeth are coming in behind the baby teeth. As the adult teeth push forward, they cause the root of the baby tooth to dissolve, causing it to loosen and eventually fall out.
Another reason for tooth loss in cats is due to poor dental hygiene. If plaque and tartar build up on the teeth, it can lead to gum disease which can cause the gums to recede and the roots of the teeth to become exposed. This can make them very susceptible to infection or abscesses, which may eventually lead to tooth loss.
Finally, some cats may lose their teeth due to trauma or injury. A blow to the head can cause a tooth (or multiple teeth) to be knocked out while fighting or playing roughly could also result in avulsion (when the entire tooth is pulled out at its root).
Can a Cat With No Teeth Eat Dry Food?
Yes, a cat with no teeth can eat dry food. In fact, many cats prefer dry food to wet food because it is easier to chew and digest. Dry food also helps keep a cat’s teeth clean and healthy.
However, if your cat has no teeth, you may need to soak the dry food in water or milk to soften it before feeding.
FAQ’s
How Many Teeth Does a Domestic House Cat Have?
A cat has 30 teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars, and 4 molars.
His professional interests include humane education, ethics, small animal behavior, and veterinary. As a pet lover from school life, having grown up with two cats and a dog. If he isn’t spending time with his friends and family, Justin enjoys traveling. Learn more about Justin here.
