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A Cat's Teeth:
Timetable and Functions
During its lifetime, a cat has two sets of teeth, a
deciduous set and a permanent set. Kittens have 26
deciduous teeth (molars are absent); adult cats have
a total of 30 teeth.
Deciduous or "milk teeth" begin to appear when the
kitten is about four weeks of age. At six weeks of
age all 26 deciduous teeth are present. From 11 to
30 weeks of age, kittens lose their deciduous teeth.
During this time they may eat less because of sore
gums.
When the deciduous teeth fall out, they are replaced
by 30 permanent teeth. The permanent teeth should be
in place by about six months of age.
A cat's teeth are well-suited to rip and cut. Twelve
tiny teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors): six
in the upper jaw, six in the lower jaw do some scrap-
ing. They are flanked by two upper and two lower
canines, sometimes described as "fangs," designed to
hold prey and to tear flesh. Ten sharp premolars and
four molars act together to cut food.
A cat occasionally retains a deciduous tooth after
the permanent tooth appears. This deciduous tooth
should be removed as soon as possible to avoid dis-
placing the permanent tooth.
Extra teeth are occasionally found in cats. They
should be removed by a veterinarian if they cause
crowding or injury to soft tissue or other teeth.
"Cats are kindly masters, just so long as you remember your place."
--Paul Gray
Stop cats from fighting with each other with a spritz of a white
distilled vinegar and water solution.
