How Many Teeth Does My Young Cat Have?
Complete guide to understanding your cat's dental development from kittens to adults.
Understanding Your Young Cat’s Dental Development
When your young cat was around 2 months old, they had only 26 baby teeth. After approximately 3 months of age, they began to lose those deciduous teeth and grow in their permanent teeth. You may have discovered some of their little teeth around your home, though it’s equally common for cats to swallow their deciduous teeth during the transition. By around 6 to 7 months of age, your young cat should have had all their adult teeth in place.
The Transition From Baby Teeth to Adult Teeth
The journey from baby teeth to permanent teeth is a natural and important process in your cat’s development. This transition typically occurs gradually over several months, and understanding this process helps you recognize normal development versus potential dental concerns.
Baby Teeth Stage
Kittens are born without teeth, but their baby teeth emerge quickly during their first weeks of life. By the time kittens reach 2 months old, they have developed all 26 of their deciduous teeth. These baby teeth are smaller, sharper, and more delicate than adult teeth, designed specifically for the kitten stage of their development.
Adult Teeth Stage
Instead of the 26 baby teeth, your cat now has 30 adult teeth. These permanent teeth are significantly stronger, larger, and designed to handle a variety of tasks throughout your cat’s life. The transition to adult teeth typically completes between 6 to 7 months of age, though some variation is normal among individual cats.
How Many Teeth Does Your Cat Have?
Adult cats have a total of 30 permanent teeth distributed between their upper and lower jaws. Understanding the precise distribution of these teeth helps you monitor your cat’s dental health and recognize any abnormalities.
Distribution of Adult Cat Teeth
Your cat has 16 teeth on their upper jaw and 14 teeth on their lower jaw, totaling 30 permanent teeth. This specific distribution reflects the functional design of feline dentition.
Upper jaw (16 teeth):
– 6 incisors (3 on each side)- 2 canines (1 on each side)- 6 premolars (3 on each side)- 2 molars (1 on each side)
Lower jaw (14 teeth):
– 6 incisors (3 on each side)- 2 canines (1 on each side)- 4 premolars (2 on each side)- 2 molars (1 on each side)
This configuration, known as the dental formula, is consistent across all healthy adult cats and reflects millions of years of evolutionary adaptation to feline dietary and behavioral needs.
What Kinds of Teeth Do Cats Have?
Your cat has four main types of teeth, each with specialized functions that work together to enable your cat to eat, groom, and interact with their environment effectively. Understanding these different tooth types helps you appreciate the complexity of your cat’s dental system.
Cat Incisors
The small teeth in the very front of your cat’s mouth between the canines are called incisors. Cats have 12 incisors in total (6 on top and 6 on bottom). One of the main functions of incisors is to help with grooming. These tiny teeth allow your cat to nibble and clean their fur with precision. Incisors can also snip small pieces of food or plants, so they might be used to snip off little things like pieces of cat grass or to manipulate small objects. The scissor-like cutting action of incisors makes them particularly useful for delicate work.
Cat Canines
Those distinctive “fangs” or canine teeth are probably the most recognizable of all feline teeth. Cats have 4 canines total (2 on top and 2 on bottom). These sharp, pointed teeth are used primarily for grasping and tearing meat and prey. The canines protrude prominently from the mouth and give cats their characteristic fierce appearance. Despite their intimidating look, these teeth also play a role in gripping objects and food during eating.
Cat Premolars
The premolars are sharp and serrated teeth positioned along the sides of the mouth, just in front of the molars. Cats have 10 premolars in total (6 on top and 4 on bottom). These teeth crunch food into manageable pieces and also help with grasping prey. The serrated edges make them particularly effective at shearing and cutting through tougher food items. Premolars work in coordination with canines to tear and process food effectively.
Cat Molars
The molars are flat teeth located in the very back of the mouth. Cats have 4 molars total (2 on top and 2 on bottom), which are used primarily for crunching hard food. These teeth are designed for grinding and crushing, making them essential for processing dry kibble and other harder food items. Unlike some other animals with numerous molars, cats have relatively few molars because their diet traditionally consists of meat that doesn’t require extensive grinding.
The Functions of Different Cat Tooth Types
Each type of tooth in your cat’s mouth serves a specific purpose, and these functions work together to support your cat’s overall health and well-being. The coordination between different tooth types makes feline dentition remarkably efficient for their predatory nature.
| Tooth Type | Quantity | Primary Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Incisors | 12 | Grooming, nibbling, snipping small pieces of food, picking up objects |
| Canines | 4 | Grasping food, tearing meat, biting and tearing prey |
| Premolars | 10 | Crunching food, shearing, grasping and holding prey |
| Molars | 4 | Crunching hard food, grinding, maintaining proper digestion |
When Do Kittens Get Their Teeth?
Understanding the timeline of kitten teething helps you recognize normal development and identify any potential issues with your young cat’s dental health. Kitten teething typically follows a predictable schedule, though individual variation is normal.
Baby Teeth Eruption Timeline
A kitten’s first set of teeth, their deciduous or baby teeth, will start to show at around 2-3 weeks old. The first teeth to appear at around 3 weeks are the incisors. There should be 12 of these in total—6 on the top jaw and 6 on the bottom. The remaining baby teeth will come in at around 6 weeks. By the time kittens reach approximately 8 weeks old, they have developed all 26 of their baby teeth.
Permanent Teeth Eruption Timeline
Adult teeth in cats start to come through at around the same time as the baby teeth are falling out. The permanent teeth typically begin erupting around 11 to 16 weeks of age, starting with the incisors, followed by the canines at 12 to 20 weeks. By the time your cat is 6 to 7 months old, they should have all of their permanent adult teeth in place. This timeline can vary slightly between individual cats, but most cats follow this general pattern.
What If My Cat Has More Than 30 Teeth?
If your cat appears to have more than 30 teeth or looks like they have more than one tooth sharing a space, it indicates that a baby tooth may not have fallen out properly. This condition is called a retained deciduous tooth and requires attention to prevent dental complications.
Understanding Retained Baby Teeth
Baby teeth that don’t fall out can lead to overcrowding in the mouth, causing teeth to come out of alignment and increasing tartar buildup between crowded teeth. Increased tartar buildup speeds the development of periodontal disease, which can compromise your cat’s overall dental health and potentially affect their nutrition and quality of life.
When to See a Veterinarian
If your cat has a baby tooth that never fell out, your veterinarian will likely recommend removing this tooth at your cat’s first dental appointment. This preventive extraction helps maintain proper tooth alignment, reduces tartar buildup, and prevents the development of periodontal disease. Regular veterinary check-ups are essential for monitoring your cat’s dental development and ensuring any issues are addressed promptly.
Comparing Cat Teeth to Other Animals
While cats are unique in their dental anatomy, understanding how their teeth compare to other animals provides interesting perspective on their evolutionary adaptation as carnivores.
| Animal | Baby Teeth | Adult Teeth |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | 26 | 30 |
| Dogs | 28 | 42 |
| Humans | 20 | 32 |
Cats have significantly fewer teeth than dogs, reflecting their different dietary and evolutionary needs. Dogs, as both carnivores and omnivores, require more molars for grinding plant material. Humans also have more teeth, particularly molars for processing a varied diet.
Maintaining Your Cat’s Dental Health
Understanding your cat’s teeth is just the beginning of proper dental care. Regular monitoring and preventive care help ensure your cat maintains good oral health throughout their life.
Regular Dental Monitoring
Check your cat’s teeth regularly by gently lifting their lips and examining the teeth and gums. Look for any signs of discoloration, retained baby teeth, or abnormal alignment. Healthy cat teeth should be white or slightly cream-colored, and the gums should be pink without inflammation or bleeding.
Professional Dental Care
Schedule regular dental check-ups with your veterinarian. During these appointments, your veterinarian can assess your cat’s dental health, identify any emerging problems, and recommend appropriate interventions. Professional dental cleanings may be recommended if tartar buildup occurs.
Home Care Practices
While brushing a cat’s teeth can be challenging, some cats tolerate gentle brushing with cat-specific toothpaste. Providing appropriate toys and diet can support dental health naturally. Hard kibble and certain toys designed for dental stimulation may help reduce tartar buildup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Teeth
Q: How many teeth should a healthy adult cat have?
A: A healthy adult cat should have 30 permanent teeth—16 on the upper jaw and 14 on the lower jaw. Some cats may have fewer due to injury, disease, or extraction for health reasons, but 30 is the standard number.
Q: When do kittens start losing their baby teeth?
A: Kittens typically start losing their baby teeth around 3 months of age and have completed the transition to adult teeth by 6 to 7 months old. It’s common to find kitten teeth around your home during this period, or your kitten may swallow them.
Q: What should I do if my kitten has retained baby teeth?
A: If your kitten appears to have more than 30 teeth or multiple teeth in one space, schedule a veterinary appointment. Your veterinarian will likely recommend extracting the retained baby tooth to prevent overcrowding, misalignment, and periodontal disease.
Q: Which teeth do cats use for grooming?
A: Cats primarily use their incisors for grooming. These 12 small front teeth allow them to nibble and clean their fur with precision and also help them pick up small objects.
Q: Are cat teeth similar to human teeth?
A: Both cats and humans are diphyodont, meaning they have two successive sets of teeth that replace each other. However, cat teeth are specialized for carnivorous diet, while human teeth support omnivorous eating patterns. Cats have 30 permanent teeth compared to humans’ 32.
Q: How can I keep my cat’s teeth healthy?
A: Regular veterinary dental check-ups, appropriate diet, dental toys, and when possible, gentle tooth brushing can help maintain your cat’s dental health. Watch for signs of dental problems like bad breath, tooth discoloration, or difficulty eating.
Q: What is the dental formula for cats?
A: The dental formula for adult cats is 16 teeth on the upper jaw (6 incisors, 2 canines, 6 premolars, 2 molars) and 14 teeth on the lower jaw (6 incisors, 2 canines, 4 premolars, 2 molars), totaling 30 permanent teeth.
Q: Why do cats have fewer teeth than dogs?
A: Cats have 30 teeth while dogs have 42 because their dietary and evolutionary needs differ. Dogs require more molars to process plant material in their omnivorous diet, whereas cats are obligate carnivores and don’t need extensive grinding teeth.
References
- How Many Teeth Do Cats Have? — Purina US. 2025-06-05. https://www.purina.com/articles/cat/health/dental/how-many-teeth-do-cats-have
- How Many Teeth Does My Young Cat Have? — VCA Animal Hospitals. https://vcahospitals.com/pediatric/kitten/health-wellness/how-many-teeth-does-my-cat-have
- How Many Teeth Do Cats Have? — Sunset Animal Hospital. https://sunsetanytime.com/blog/how-many-teeth-do-cats-have/
- How many teeth do cats have? — Pet Health Club. https://www.pethealthclub.com/uk/pet-advice/how-many-teeth-do-cats-have
- 9 Interesting Facts About Cat Teeth — PetMD. https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/9-interesting-facts-about-cat-teeth
- Dr. Ernie’s Top 10 Cat Dental Questions and His Answers — Pet Health Network. https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/cat-health/cat-checkups-preventive-care/dr-ernies-top-10-cat-dental-questions-and-his-answers
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