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.
