Kitten teethingwhen the teeth change and what is normal

When kittens teethe and change their teeth

According to average figures from the Merck Veterinary Manual, in kittens:

• 2–4 weeks — the temporary incisors erupt;
• 3–4 weeks — the temporary canines;
• 5–6 weeks — the temporary premolars, completing the set of 26 temporary teeth;
• 4–7 months — the temporary teeth are replaced by permanent ones, and the molars, which have no temporary predecessors, appear.

A difference of a few weeks is common. What matters is that the temporary tooth makes way once the permanent one appears next to it. To see how many teeth an adult cat has and what they are called, use the chart in the article how many teeth dogs and cats have.

What is normal when a kitten is teething

While the teeth are changing, you may notice that:

• your kitten chews everything: hands, toys, cables, houseplants;
• the gums where teeth are changing look slightly red;
• there is a small drop of blood on a toy or in the bowl;
• you find a tiny tooth on the floor, like a thin needle or a grain of rice;
• for a day or two your kitten eats dry food more carefully.

Often owners never find a single tooth: kittens swallow them, and this is usually harmless. But do put away cables, thread, hair ties and plants that are toxic to cats — while your kitten chews everything, the risk of injury and swallowing things goes up.

When teething is a reason for a check-up

• A temporary tooth next to a permanent one. This happens in kittens too, most often with the canines. Such a tooth stops the permanent one from moving into place and traps plaque — see Retained temporary teeth.
• Severe gum inflammation. Some young cats develop marked gum inflammation while their permanent teeth are erupting — juvenile gingivitis. The gums are bright red and swollen, may overgrow and bleed during meals.
• Bad breath, drooling or blood in the saliva.
• Your kitten refuses food, eats only soft food, paws at its face or shakes its head while eating.
• Ulcers on the tongue or palate — these may be a sign of infection rather than teething.

Do not assume that severe gum inflammation will necessarily settle on its own once the teeth have changed: without treatment it can progress to early periodontitis. One example is the clinical case of a 9-month-old Maine Coon, who needed a gingivectomy and treatment for periodontitis.

Teeth falling out in a kitten and in an adult cat are different situations

In a kitten up to 7 months old, losing temporary teeth is normal. But if teeth become loose, fall out or 'disappear' in an adult cat, this is no longer tooth change but a sign of disease — for example, periodontitis or tooth resorption (TR). Read more in the article on why a cat's teeth fall out.

How to help a teething kitten

Give your kitten soft toys it can chew, and start getting it used to having its face and lips touched now — this will make it easier to brush your cat's teeth later. What an examination for young animals includes is described on the Dentistry for puppies and kittens page.

How much a kitten dental check-up costs

Tooth change, the bite and the gums can be checked at an in-clinic consultation. If it is hard to bring your kitten in, start with an online consultation: send photos of the teeth and gums, and I will tell you whether an in-person examination is needed.

Frequently asked questions