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Lets Explore your Kittens Teething

While young humans take years to lose all their baby teeth and wait for their adult chompers to appear, the kitten teething process is much faster. Cats have already gone through two sets of teeth by the age of six months.

 

A Timeline of Kitten Teething

 

When a kitten is about 3 or 4 weeks old, its baby teeth, also known as milk or deciduous teeth, breakthrough, according to Pet Health Network, the incisors and primary canines come in first, with the others following in quick succession.

 

By 3 to 4 months, all baby teeth have fallen out, making room for the adult teeth to emerge. Typically, all adult teeth are extracted.

 

What Symptoms Indicate Kitten Teething?

 

You may not realise your feline friend is losing teeth until you see one on the floor or in their bed during the kitten teething process. This is normal, so don`t be concerned! Many cats may swallow their teeth, but this does not harm them.

 

These few symptoms can be noticed in any teething kitten:

 

● Decreased appetite

● Excessive chewing

● Sore, red gums

● Slight bleeding of the gums

● Irritability

● Pawing at their mouth.

 

As your kitty goes through the teething phase, the experts at Tufts catnip emphasise the importance of looking for signs of gingivitis or periodontal diseases, such as extremely swollen or bleeding gums and bad breath. In addition, kittens may have persistent deciduous teeth, which means that some of their baby teeth did not fall out. This condition is uncommon but worth keeping an eye out for because a tooth extraction may be required. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately so your feline companion can receive the care they require.

 

How to Care for a Teething Kitten

 

Do kittens have painful teething? When pointy teeth poke through sensitive gums, there is bound to be some physical discomfort, but according to Greencross Vets, this discomfort is usually minimal.

 

On the other hand, your kitten will seek ways to alleviate the pain and irritation associated with teething. For example, they might try to chew on you, which is never a good idea for either of you. As with other forms of aggressive cat play, redirection is the way to go here.

 

A cold, wet washcloth is a safe chew toy that provides an outlet for excessive chewing while relieving some of the tenderness. Commercially available kitten chew toys, such as rubber or soft plastic-based toys that are easy to chew and toys that can be stored in the refrigerator, are another option. To keep your kitty safe, stay with them while they play with it, follow the toy`s instructions, keep an eye out for damage, and discard damaged toys immediately.

 

Your cat might attempt to chew on furniture legs or electrical cords. This behaviour can damage your belongings and, more importantly, endanger your cat.

 

What Is the Distinction Between Kitten and Cat Teeth?

 

Kitten teeth, deciduous, milk, baby, or primary teeth, are the kitten`s first, temporary set. These teeth are extremely small and sharp, with short, thin roots and a thin layer of enamel covering them. If you`re keeping track, your kitten should have 26 deciduous teeth. These deciduous teeth are only temporary placeholders until the permanent adult teeth appear, so they don`t require much attention.

 

Your cat should have a full set of 30 adult teeth by six months of age. These teeth are larger than her deciduous teeth and are often cream-colored. In addition, they have a thicker layer of enamel to protect against wear and long roots to anchor themselves.

 

Your cat will have adult teeth for the rest of her life, so take good care of them! The gold standard for feline dental care is daily brushing with cat-safe toothpaste and regular professional dental cleanings under anesthesia. Dental diets and treats also help a kitten.

 

Toys for Teething Kittens

 

Soft rubber or plastic is commonly used in commercial kitten teething toys. They should be strong enough to prevent your kitten from breaking off pieces and swallowing them but soft enough not to break or damage her teeth.

 

You can also make your teething toys for your kitten by cutting a square of cloth or leather. Braided fleece toys, which can be dragged across the floor for play, are also popular.

 

The Importance of Good Kitten Oral Hygiene

 

Dental and gum diseases are common in cats, but investing in your kitty`s oral health when they`re young can help prevent some of these problems later on.

 

To begin, establishing a dental care routine that includes regular checkups and teeth brushing but only after the teething cycle, to avoid additional discomfort may help keep health care costs low and issues such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth resorption at bay. Teething kittens may prefer canned food or kibble soaked in water if their gums are sore. When they reach adulthood, you can feed them cat food that promotes good oral health.

Your kitty may struggle with teething, so shower them with love, support, and patience as their new teeth emerge.