As a cat parent or caregiver to foster kittens, it’s important to know when kittens teeth and what the signs look like so you can help relieve any pain—and train them not to chew on things you don’t want them chewing on, like your fingers!
Do Cats Teethe?
Yes, cats do teethe. Cat teething happens when the kittens are young. As they get older and transition to a solid diet, their first set of teeth fall out and their permanent teeth grow in.
When Do Kittens Lose Their Baby Teeth?
As with most mammals in the animal kingdom, kittens are born toothless while their diet is mom’s milk. Kittens get teeth at about 2 weeks of age, when the first tiny incisors appear right in the front of the mouth. In all, a kitten will end up with 26 baby or deciduous teeth. You may also hear these referred to as milk teeth.
Right around 3 months of age, the deciduous teeth start to fall out and are replaced by adult teeth.
Kittens do bleed when they lose teeth, but only a little, and it will stop on its own. If you are lucky, you may find a tiny tooth. Clean it up and stick it in a tiny, clear plastic baggie for your kitten’s baby book.
Your cat should have a full set of 30 adult teeth by the age of six months. Some may take up to 9 months to get a full set of adult teeth though, so don't fret too much if your cat still has some baby teeth at the six-month mark.
Signs of Kitten Teething Issues
Most kittens breeze through teething, but a few will have some discomfort.
Change in Appetite: If you notice your kitten chewing more slowly or being reluctant to eat their kibble, check their gums for any swelling or redness. Gums can be tender when the new adult tooth is about to erupt. Soften their food or substitute in more canned food.
Reluctant During Playtime: A kitten who normally grabs at cat toys or pounces on toys and then shakes them in their mouth may be hesitant to play due to the sore mouth. Stop any play that seems to hurt them.
Meowing More Than Usual: You may notice your kitten meowing more frequently, possibly with a plaintive air. That can be due to the pain of the new teeth coming in.
Excessive Drooling: Some kittens will also drool extensively when teething. Always check the mouth carefully if your kitten is drooling heavily. They could have something stuck in their teeth or have an injury to their mouth and not just be drooling from teething.
Retained Teeth: Sometimes, a kitten may retain a deciduous tooth and wind up with two teeth—a baby tooth and an adult tooth—in one tooth’s spot. If this happens, see your veterinarian for help.
Tips to Help Your Kitten Through Teething
Offer soft food; either a canned diet or kibble soaked in warm water.
You may notice increased chewing, especially on soft items. The soft plastic or rubber coating appeals to a small feline with a sore mouth. Cover such cords or tape them up for safety or use chewing deterrent spray.
You can purchase cat teething toys for your kitten, soft foam balls or catnip chew sticks. Most teething rings and toys for kittens are made of soft plastic or rubber. Provide interactive toys, like feather wands and battery-operated spinner toys, for your teething kittens.
Luckily, the kitten teething period is not very long. It generally lasts about three months or so. Even if your kitten has a rough time, it will pass quickly.