Losing baby teeth: an owner’s guide to kitten teething

Teething is a normal process that all kittens go through, but it can lead to some discomfort. There are some ways kitten owners can help their furry friends through the process. In addition, there are a few symptoms pet owners can watch out for to catch any developing conditions. Read on if you have a kitten and have ever wondered:

• When do kittens lose their baby teeth and grow adult teeth?
• How do I know if my kitten is teething?
• Can I help my kitten when they are teething?
• When should I talk to a vet about my kitten’s teeth?

Losing baby teeth, or deciduous teeth, and growing in permanent teeth occurs around the age at which many kittens are adopted. Between three and six months of age, a kitten may be uncomfortable due to teething. Owners can help their kittens by providing comfort and keeping an eye out for other developing issues.

Teething is the process of growing a new set of teeth. Kittens teethe twice in their lives. At two to three weeks of age, their first set of teeth, known as deciduous teeth or milk teeth, grow while kittens are still nursing. At about three months of age, around the time kittens are adopted, they begin losing their baby teeth and growing their permanent adult teeth. As the adult teeth emerge from under the gumline, they push out the baby teeth. This second teething phase may produce symptoms of discomfort similar to the discomfort experienced by human babies in the teething stage, but it should not be overly painful.

Cats have two sets of teeth for different purposes. Baby kitten teeth are small, sharp, and have small roots allowing them to easily fall out and make room for adult teeth. These teeth help them nurse and eat while they are young. Adult cat teeth are much larger and have long roots anchoring them to the jawbone below, allowing for stronger chewing and biting.

Kittens begin to lose their baby teeth at around twelve weeks of age and the process continues until they are about six months old. Most places allow the adoption of kittens between eight and twelve weeks of age, meaning new kitten owners are likely to see the teething process. Each kitten is different and may have a slightly different timeline. Kittens typically lose their teeth from front to back, making it easier for owners to notice when the kitten teething process starts.

When do cats have all their adult teeth?

Most kittens have all of their permanent teeth by six months old. The majority of cats have thirty adult teeth. While there is no need to count each tooth, an obvious missing adult tooth may indicate the tooth has not erupted, which can create a dentigerous cyst that needs to be addressed by a veterinarian. Dentigerous cysts require dental X-rays, an oral examination, and usually the extraction of the unerupted tooth to avoid oral pain and infection.

Most kittens have no issues and show few to no signs of teething. When there are symptoms present, signs of teething in kittens can include:

• Missing baby teeth
• Excessive chewing or biting
• Small amounts of blood on toys or gums
• Finding small teeth on the floor
• Sore, inflamed gums
• Increased vocalization
• Pawing at the mouth
• Irritability
• Decreased appetite or a new preference for soft food

The most common signs of kitten teething are missing baby teeth and finding kitten teeth on the floor around the home. Some cat owners expect to find baby teeth around the home while their kitten is teething but never do. This is because kittens often swallow their baby teeth as they fall out, which is completely normal and safe.

It is uncommon for kittens to lose their appetite due to teething. However, dry food may be uncomfortable on sore gums or areas without teeth. If a kitten appears to be uncomfortable eating or having difficulty eating dry food, try moistening their kibble or talk to a veterinarian about switching to soft food. Visit a vet right away if a kitten stops eating or drinking altogether. This is abnormal and likely due to another health concern.

Do kittens feel discomfort during teething?

Kittens may feel some discomfort while teething, but teething should never be very painful. Behaviors like chewing and biting on toys, food, and treats can help soothe sore gums and provide enrichment for kittens. Cats have a tendency to hide pain and discomfort, but you may notice some signs that your kitten is uncomfortable while teething, such as pawing at the mouth, irritability, decreased appetite, or showing a new preference for soft food.

Most kittens go through teething without issue and do not require help from their owners. However, you may want to help ease any discomfort your kitten may feel while they teethe.

Provide plenty of toys

Teething and chew toys are the best ways to help a kitten soothe their gums and engage in natural biting behaviors. Ensure the toys are not too hard, as these can cause a kitten to fracture a tooth. Choose soft toys and rubber teething rings that are soft enough for a fingernail to leave a mark. Remove any broken toys or pieces that have been bitten off, as damaged toys can cause a kitten to choke or develop a foreign body obstruction if swallowed.

Offer refrigerated chew items

Cold items to chew on can help ease gum discomfort. You can allow your kitten to bite on damp, refrigerated washcloths or chilled teething toys. Remove any washcloths that have fallen apart or become stringy, as they can pose a choking hazard or cause an intestinal obstruction. Ice cubes and other frozen items are too hard for kitten teeth to chew on and may cause tooth fractures. Choose toys soft enough to mark with a fingernail and keep them in the refrigerator rather than the freezer.

Talk to a vet about soft food

Most kittens have no issues eating hard kitten food when teething. However, if a kitten appears to be uncomfortable or has difficulty eating hard kibble, try moistening their kibble or talk to a vet about switching to a soft food. Sudden change in a kitten’s diet can cause stomach upset and increase their discomfort.

Providing spaces to hide

Cats feel safe when they have private spaces to hide, especially when they are feeling discomfort. Providing a kitten with plenty of secluded areas to hide can bring comfort if they are uncomfortable when teething. Cave toys, cardboard boxes, and other covered spaces are all excellent options to give a kitten a sense of safety.

Keep dangerous items out of reach

Keeping your kitten safe while they are teething is also important. Remove any toys that have fallen apart or washcloths that have become stringy. Pieces of toys and string that can be swallowed pose choking hazards and can cause foreign body obstruction. Likewise, keep other swallowable items out of reach, such as yarn, hair elastics, twist ties, and other tempting items. Finally, covering electrical cords helps keep curious teething kittens safe around the home.

Pause brushing and home dental care

It’s a good idea to get your kitten used to daily brushing and having their mouths touched while young so they allow you to provide good dental hygiene throughout their lives. However, your kitten’s gums may be sore while teething. Toothbrushing on sore gums may cause your kitten to associate brushing with discomfort, leading your kitten to dislike home dental care. You can continue to provide a positive association by letting a kitten lick cat-safe toothpaste from a brush until they are done teething.

“Most kittens are perfectly fine while teething and can continue eating their hard kitten food,” reassures Vetster veterinarian Dr. Jo Myers. “If your kitten appears uncomfortable while teething, try softening their kibble by soaking it with water. If that doesn’t help, talk to a veterinarian about steps you can take to ease their discomfort, including switching to a soft food.” Sudden change in diet can cause stomach upset, increasing your kitten’s discomfort, which in turn can make it difficult to determine if your kitten’s discomfort is due to teething or something else. If a kitten seems distressed or stops eating or drinking, seek veterinary care right away, as this is likely caused by a serious problem and not by teething.

Teething kittens bite and chew to relieve discomfort. However, it is not the only reason why kittens bite their owners. Biting is a form of communication, play, and a way kittens learn about the world around them. Unfortunately, this means that your kitten’s biting is unlikely to stop once they’re done teething.

The best way to stop a kitten from biting is to consistently train them not to bite. Training a young kitten helps prevent aggressive play and biting as adults. While playing, redirect your kitten to bite on an appropriate item, such as a nearby toy. Allowing your kitten to bite your hand under some conditions and not others is confusing, so be consistent with training by not engaging in hand play. If your kitten becomes overstimulated or begins biting hard, stop playing and walk away. Do not punish your cat with yelling or a spray bottle, as this simply teaches them to be fearful rather than fixing their behavior. In addition, remember that gentle mouthing is often a sign of trust and love from cats.

Normal teething does not need veterinary intervention unless a problem is noticed at home. Talk to a vet if your kitten:

• Loses their appetite
• Appears in pain
• Has adult teeth and baby teeth on top of each other in their mouth
• Has adult teeth that appear malformed
• Has adult cat teeth that are emerging in the wrong location or not at all
• Has bad breath
• Has very inflamed or bloody gums
• Has not lost baby teeth or grown adult teeth by six months of age

It can be difficult for kitten owners to see where teeth are emerging and know if they are growing in the right location. Veterinarians check a kitten’s mouth as part of regular checkups every few weeks to identify any problems. Unerupted teeth can lead to painful cysts that may become infected. In addition, malformed or stacked teeth can lead to dental issues later in life.

If you have questions about your kitten’s teeth or whether their teething process is normal, you can talk to a vet for advice in a virtual vet appointment with Vetster.

Is it normal for my kitten to lose a tooth?

Teething is a normal process for kittens between three and six months of age. During this process, kittens lose their baby teeth and grow in their new, permanent adult teeth. However, if a kitten has lost an adult tooth or has a tooth fracture, talk to a vet.

Do kittens bleed when they lose a tooth?

A kitten may leave a small amount of blood on their toys or have temporary, mild bleeding in their mouth after losing a tooth. However, excessive bleeding or bleeding that does not stop is not normal and needs to be addressed by a veterinarian right away.

Should I give my teething kitten wet food?

Most kittens do not need a diet change while teething and are perfectly fine eating dry food. If a kitten appears uncomfortable or has difficulty eating hard food, talk to a vet about offering wet or soft food during the teething period. Suddenly changing a kitten’s diet can lead to vomiting or diarrhea, increasing their discomfort and potentially leading to dehydration that needs to be treated. If your teething kitten has lost their appetite for their regular diet, it’s important to talk to a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause.

How can I help my kitten while they are teething?

Providing plenty of toys to chew on, safe spaces to hide, and keeping dangerous items out of reach are the best ways for you to help your kitten while they are teething. Most kittens do not require soft food or extra dental care while teething. If you notice pain or other symptoms in your kitten, talk to a veterinarian for advice.