We determine the age of the kitten by its teeth and eliminate dental problems. How many teeth does a cat have and how to brush them properly? Teeth indicate a cat’s age

Cats seem playful and affectionate to us. But in fact, these are predators that are simply relatively small in size. Like any other predator, cats have powerful jaws and strong teeth, which are necessary for capturing and grinding prey. It is clear that at home the value of this weapon is leveled, however, it still plays a very important role in the normal functioning of the body.

Like many other mammals (including humans), they are completely toothless. During this period of life they do not need them, since they can attach themselves to the mother without the help of fangs and incisors.

It goes without saying that the formation of the first bite in cats begins much faster than in people. The first primary incisors begin to appear a few weeks after birth. Next, the canines and premolars emerge. The last to appear are the molars, and this all takes several months. By this time the kitten should have 26 teeth. Naturally, they are all milk teeth, so the formation of the bite is not completed.

The next step is to replace the milk teeth with permanent ones. Moreover, this process is carried out in the same order as cutting through the dairy. Initially, permanent incisors appear, then canines, premolars and molars.

Diagram of the structure of the jaw in cats

If the animal is completely healthy, then the end of jaw formation coincides with the beginning of puberty, that is, by approximately 8-10 months. During the entire period of growth of new incisors, it is strongly recommended to give your pet food rich in calcium, phosphorus and other minerals that play an important role in the formation of bone tissue.

In general, by the first birthday of a mustachioed pet, there should be 30 “tools” in his mouth - 16 on top and 14 on the bottom.

It is noteworthy that the age of an animal can be easily determined by the number and appearance of teeth. There is nothing complicated about this; accordingly, even an amateur can cope with this task. But before that, it is recommended to study the following table:

It is possible to determine the exact age from the teeth only if the animal is domestic, it eats properly and is properly cared for. In street vagabonds, damage and loss of incisors and even fangs begins much more often.

Of course, they are very important for any animal and, of course, people. Over time, incisors, molars or fangs will deteriorate - this cannot be avoided. And if a person can turn to a dentist for help, then cats have no one to rely on. The owner’s main task is to ensure that the teeth remain healthy for as long as possible. If they begin to deteriorate ahead of time, this will inevitably negatively affect the functioning of the pet’s body.

The reasons why they may fall out can be either physiological, that is, normal, or pathological.

Physiological causes of tooth loss

They are typical only for young individuals. As mentioned above, initially the kitten grows baby teeth. They are temporary, and accordingly, over time they will be naturally replaced by permanent ones. In total, 26 dairy ones germinate, and 30 permanent ones.

In a healthy animal that does not suffer from any pathologies, the replacement of teeth with permanent ones occurs without any problems or pain. Often the owner does not even know about it. However, you need to examine your pet's mouth from time to time in order to detect developing pathology in time.

Sometimes the loss of baby teeth is delayed, but permanent teeth are already emerging. This leads to problems such as:

• malocclusion, as they simply interfere with each other and become distorted;
• redness of the gums, which indicates their inflammation. Bleeding may also occur;
• characteristic stench from the mouth.

In a healthy animal that does not suffer from any pathologies, the replacement of teeth with permanent ones occurs without any problems or pain.

During the period of changing fangs, the animal is in a depressed mood and often refuses food. The pet’s desire to chew on everything is just one of the external manifestations of this process. To prevent your kitten from chewing on your important things, buy him appropriate toys.

If you notice something is wrong with your little furry, be sure to take him to the vet. An incorrect bite will cause the animal a lot of discomfort in the future, so this should be avoided.

Pathological causes

The main cause of early tooth loss in adults is classical dental diseases:

• caries;
• tartar;
• dysbacteriosis of the oral cavity;
• pulpitis;
• periodontitis.

The development of these ailments is caused by insufficient oral hygiene, malocclusion, poor quality nutrition, as well as genetic predisposition.

An important role is also played by concomitant disorders that seem to have nothing to do with teeth. First of all, this is:

• immunodeficiency states;
• urolithiasis disease;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• problems with liver function.

A lack of minerals and vitamins in the body can also provoke the premature loss of the pet’s main weapon. This is especially true if the cat does not receive enough calcium, phosphorus and all groups of vitamins.

In fact, taking care of your mustachioed pet's teeth is not that difficult. Care is based on three main principles:

• high-quality and systematic cleaning;
• proper nutrition;
• regular examination by a specialist.

You can prevent the development of a number of dental problems with the help of cleaning. In fact, accustoming an animal to such a seemingly classic human procedure is not so difficult.

The main rule is not to rush. First, you need to place a little toothpaste in your pet's mouth so that he gets used to it, and then gently begin to move the brush. If the animal resists, leave it alone, but the next day start all over again. Sooner or later, the pet will get used to the procedure and will not show any dissatisfaction with what is happening.

You can prevent the development of a number of dental problems with brushing.

Nutrition should be balanced. It is very important that food contains sufficient amounts of phosphorus, calcium and other minerals. This is especially true when. From time to time, give your cat cartilage, soft bones and raw meat - these foods help to naturally strengthen the gums.

Even if you don't notice any problems with your pet's mouth, he still needs to be taken to the vet regularly. The earlier a pathology is detected, the easier it is to eliminate it, and without negative consequences for the body.

What if there are no teeth?

The digestive system of cats is more resilient than humans, and is designed in a slightly different way. If it is very important for us to chew every piece thoroughly, then cats do not have to do this. They need fangs and incisors only to capture and securely hold prey, and then tear it apart. Chewing is carried out with the help of molars, of which the cat has few.

Therefore, if we talk specifically about pets, then tooth loss is not as dangerous for them as for wild animals. The thing is that at home the cat does not experience any problems with lack of food.

But such animals still need care. You will have to switch your pet mainly to liquid or soft food. If this is not done, then digestive function will deteriorate significantly, and this can already threaten the development of a number of serious diseases.

Conscientious owners try to monitor the health of their pets. In cats, this means not only shiny fur and trimmed claws, but also teeth. Don't know how many teeth a cat has? Then it will be useful for you to read this article.

At first, cats develop baby teeth. How many teeth does a recently born cat have? There are 26 of them in total; they completely erupt when the animal is about three to four weeks old. Then they are replaced by indigenous ones. This process usually takes five or six months. With proper nutrition, changing baby teeth to molars in pets is not particularly painful; it does not require medical assistance. However, it will not be superfluous to observe the cat’s oral cavity during this period. And if you notice any deviation, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

How many teeth does a cat have when it's an adult? More than milk kittens. The total number of molars in this animal is 30. But if you want to count your pet’s teeth, and there actually are fewer of them, then this is not a reason to panic. For example, some fluffies never grow incisors, while others, on the contrary, lose them early. By the way, depending on how many teeth cats have, you can almost accurately and with extreme accuracy determine their age. If for some reason the main teeth fall out, then it is much more difficult to find out how old the animal is.

Among the main ones in cats are: for example, if there is a gap of more than two millimeters between the upper and lower incisors, then veterinarians call this an undershot, or “pike jaw.” And when the incisors protrude slightly forward in relation to the lower teeth, then this is already an underbite. Such vices do not depend in any way on the conditions of detention. They are most often inherited.

How many teeth a cat has also depends on its age. Over time, the animal's teeth wear down and fall out. This applies most of all to the incisors, which bear the brunt of chewing food. But molars and submolars last for more than two decades. But purebred cats have a slightly shorter lifespan than others. Therefore, their teeth fall out a little earlier than their other counterparts.

You should always pay attention to the condition of your cat's teeth. After all, it can appear on molars and fangs. It looks like a yellow rim next to the gums. And it occurs due to bacteria, as well as food debris. A yellow plaque appears on the teeth. It doesn't seem to be scary, but over time it can harden. This disease occurs only in domestic cats. After all, in the wild they use their teeth much more actively. To reduce the risk of tartar formation, you can brush your pet's teeth.

It also relieves bad breath in cats. There are several ways to carry out this process. For example, you can take red wine and soda. Apply a little wine to a cotton swab, wipe your teeth with it, and then apply baking soda. This will quickly remove the plaque. You can also take a children's toothbrush (necessarily with soft bristles) and clean the cat's mouth. There are special brushes and pastes created specifically for these animals. There are even fish-flavored pastes.

Now you know how many teeth a cat has, and how to care for them. Remember that a pet’s healthy oral cavity is the key to its good mood.

Newborn kittens are still toothless. Only after 2 weeks of life do their first milk teeth begin to emerge. If you find them in a kitten, then you can already start introducing complementary foods.

In total, kittens erupt 26 primary (temporary) teeth. In a period of approximately 3-5 months, they begin to fall out, replaced by permanent ones. As a rule, this process lasts for 5-7 months.

14 baby teeth in kittens are located in the upper jaw, and 12 in the lower jaw.

With proper nutrition, changing teeth in kittens is not particularly painful and does not require medical attention. However, it will not be superfluous to observe the animal’s oral cavity during this period.

And if you notice any deviation - for example, baby teeth do not fall out, but permanent teeth are already emerging - be sure to contact a veterinary clinic. There, the doctor will determine whether the temporary teeth need to be removed or whether they will soon fall out on their own.

How many teeth does an adult cat have?

A healthy cat has 30 permanent teeth, 16 on top and 14 on the bottom. Of these: 12 incisors, 10 small molars (molars, premolars), 4 canines (also called carnassial teeth) and 4 main molars, or molars.

The correct bite in cats is pincer-shaped (straight).

If you count your pet's teeth and there are fewer, this is not always a reason to panic. For example, some cats never grow their incisors, while others lose them early. On the other hand, the cause of tooth loss may be an infection in the animal’s mouth, vitamin deficiency or other internal diseases, the existence of which you may not even know.

How many teeth a cat has depends on its age. Over time, they wear out and fall out. This mainly concerns the incisors, which take on the main load in the process of chewing food. But the submolars and molars last for more than 2 decades. However, purebred cats usually have a slightly shorter lifespan than others. That’s why their teeth fall out a little earlier than their counterparts.

How to properly brush your cat's teeth

Cats need to have their teeth brushed periodically. This should be done to prevent the formation of tartar, which forms when plaque hardens. And it, in turn, occurs due to food debris and bacteria.

Tartar can cause many problems for your pet. The cat may develop gum inflammation and other associated diseases. Neglected and uncured diseases can lead to tooth loss in an animal.

To prevent this from happening, periodically let your cat chew solid food, for example: meat that needs to be chewed; a special bone for cats; dry food. Then the animal’s teeth will self-clean.

In addition to this, you can brush your cat's teeth yourself. For this you can use, for example, soda and a little red wine. By reacting with soda, wine vinegar breaks down tartar well if there is not much of it. Use a cotton swab soaked in wine to wipe the animal’s teeth. After this, apply baking soda diluted with water to a mushy state using another swab. This procedure should be carried out carefully, otherwise there is a risk of injuring the animal’s delicate gums.

You can also brush your cat's teeth with tooth powder using a small children's toothbrush. But it is best to use a special brush and toothpaste for cats, which you can purchase at a pet store. And so that your pet does not resist the procedure of cleaning her teeth from plaque, it would not be a bad idea to buy a fish-flavored paste.

Having a cat in the house necessitates at least basic knowledge about its anatomy. This includes everything from the genitourinary system to the oral cavity. A responsible owner needs to understand how many teeth a cat has and how to care for them. Otherwise, problems cannot be avoided.

According to various sources, kittens begin to develop milk teeth starting at one month of age. Until this moment, the babies actively suck milk from the mother cat. Nature has provided that they do not injure the mother's breast.

Around the third week of life, kittens begin to develop temporary teeth. The process is accompanied by profuse salivation and an active desire to rub against anything. Milk teeth in cats are usually called temporary, since their lifespan is very short. They change literally up to six months.

The schedule of their appearance is always very consistent:

1. By about a month, the kitten becomes the proud owner of front incisors.
2. After another two weeks, the first fangs appear.
3. Premolars are cut up to 3.5 months.

After this, the kitten copes well with any food: he already has 26 milk teeth. Of these, there should be 14 on the upper jaw, 12 on the bottom. At the same time, at the top, if desired, you can count a pair of canines, three premolars and six anterior incisors. Below there are a couple of premolars less.

In fact, baby teeth are very sharp. They cause a lot of inconvenience to the cat. At this age, kittens develop an interest in research. They happily chew on everything that comes their way.

Starting from a month, it is necessary to introduce complementary foods. This is done not only because of the body’s growing needs for calories, but also to develop the muscles of the face and the formation of the correct exterior.

The appearance of teeth in cats occurs unnoticed by others. The kittens do not experience any pain or discomfort.

Changing baby teeth to permanent ones

In the most extreme case, kittens begin to change teeth at the age of 3 months. This is typical for breeds that develop quickly and become adults quite early. For example, sphinxes, which by the age of six months are often ready to reproduce. On average, in all cat breeds, the replacement of baby teeth occurs in the fifth month of life.

Complete formation of the jaw apparatus occurs at the age of about six months.

The period when kittens change their teeth is usually associated with changes in behavior. Kittens become restless and desperately need toys to scratch their teeth on.

The sequence of replacement of baby teeth is the same as their appearance:

1. First, the temporary incisors are replaced (at about 3-5 months).
2. Then permanent fangs grow in cats (not earlier than 4-5 months).
3. Molars and premolars are the last to be replaced (permanent teeth grow from 4 to 6 months).

During the period of changing teeth, you need to monitor their number and condition of the oral cavity. The mucous membranes should have a healthy pink color, without deviations. The presence of blood on the gums, displacement of the teeth relative to the jaw axis is a reason to consult a veterinarian. Otherwise, the kitten’s exterior may not develop properly, which will certainly affect its overall health in the future.

Often during the period of teeth change, the owner may feel that the kitten is behaving aggressively: biting and scratching. It is important not to miss this period and be sure to introduce solid foods into your diet. Dry food and treats, as well as rough meat by-products, will help the kitten survive the change of teeth adequately and without problems.

The number of teeth in an adult animal is slightly different. In general, the condition of a cat's jaw serves as an excellent indicator of age.

After changing milk teeth to permanent teeth, the cat continues to grow teeth. Their number is standard: in total the upper and lower jaws should have about 30 pieces.

At the same time, at the top there is a pair of canines, six front incisors, the same number of premolars and a pair of molars. The lower jaw is characterized by a different set of teeth: there are two fewer premolars.

The front incisors and canines on both jaws serve to separate pieces of food and hold them, while the remaining teeth perform a chewing function.

In adult cats, the front incisors and canines wear down with age. Based on the condition of the teeth, veterinarians can easily calculate the exact age of the animal.

Problems with teeth are most common in older cats, whose teeth have fallen out due to old age, become crumbly, and no longer perform their functions.

Caries is practically never found in cats. This is how furry purrs are fundamentally different from people. However, cats have other problems. For example, tartar. This is the real scourge of mustachioed striped animals. Hardened plaque causes inflammation and makes it difficult to absorb food.

In the wild, the problem of tartar is excluded - cats eat a variety of foods, including coarse fiber, which eliminates the very possibility of this scourge. But at home, especially with a natural diet, cats often suffer from hardened dental plaque.

It is imperative to arrange prevention, otherwise the growth of bacteria and the inflammatory process are very difficult to treat.

Your pet's oral hygiene

The problem of how to brush a cat’s teeth is quite acute, especially if it is on a natural diet or eats wet food. The formation of tartar when consuming exclusively soft foods is inevitable. Therefore, many owners are wondering how to brush their beloved pet’s teeth.

It’s one thing if you are puzzled, while the kitten is small and can still be accustomed to hygiene procedures. It's another matter if he grew up. Brushing your cat's teeth at home will be an almost impossible task. Therefore, it is better to take adult pets to specialists immediately. Otherwise, injuries and stress are guaranteed for both the cat and you.

With natural nutrition and wet food, it is recommended to introduce special complementary foods into the diet:

1. Chicken necks or navels. Being a fairly solid and fibrous food, they will help remove plaque in cats. By chewing hard components, cats simultaneously get rid of everything unnecessary.
2. Dry treats or dry food. From time to time it is necessary to pamper your cat with crunchy pillows. They perfectly clean tartar. This needs to be done regularly. One-time promotions are of no use.

If you decide to teach your kitten to brush its teeth, then stock up on a toothbrush with soft, natural bristles. Of course, folk remedies can be used as cleaning agents, but in feline dentistry it is safer to use special pastes. If the kitten is small, do not risk its health and buy a hypoallergenic toothpaste designed specifically for cats. It does not require rinsing and is very easy to apply. The cat needs to open its mouth slightly and carefully apply the product using a toothbrush.

Among the folk remedies for the prevention of tartar in cats, regular tooth powder or baking soda with red wine are used. It’s quite difficult to say what it looks like in practice, since both need to be washed off. And the cat is unlikely to calmly tolerate the effects of compounds that are strange to her. Therefore, treat such recipes with healthy skepticism. Place your cat in the hands of professionals if special hygiene products are not available.

Cats have been following humans relentlessly for thousands of years. With every century their life gets better and better. This means that the conditions that we provide them are quite satisfactory for the wayward tailed creatures. The main thing is to provide them with normal nutrition, which in consistency and composition meets their needs.

Teeth cleaning

The cause of many oral diseases in cats is plaque and food debris, which begin to decompose and create favorable conditions for the development of infections. Therefore, veterinarians recommend periodic teeth cleaning. You need to get used to it when you are still a kitten. Then the adult cat will not be afraid and will behave calmly during this procedure in the future.

In kittens, plaque is removed with your fingers, stroking and rubbing the teeth. When the animal gets used to it, you can start using a special brush and paste. All teeth cleaning products have a pleasant taste and smell for cats and are harmless. Even if your pet swallows the paste, it will not lead to poisoning.

An alternative to brushing is to use special food. Thanks to the content of special fibers, it swells and acts like a mesh, gently enveloping the teeth. This way you can remove plaque from them and prevent the development of certain diseases.

Oral diseases in cats: symptoms

The most common sign of a developing oral infection in cats is a foul odor. When this symptom appears, it is necessary to examine the gums. When healthy, they are dense and light pink in color. The presence of even a slight swelling indicates an oral disease. There should be no noticeable dark or yellowish plaque on the teeth. Brown spots indicate that tartar has formed. This disease occurs most often. To remove the stone, you will have to contact a veterinarian. It is not safe to carry out this procedure on your own.

When a cat experiences discomfort related to its teeth or gums, it will often touch and scratch its face with its paw. Salivation also increases. Blood or pus may ooze from the gum area. This confirms the presence of dental problems that require qualified help. Gradually, the cat begins to experience discomfort while eating. In this case, you need to urgently contact a veterinarian.

To prevent problems in a cat’s oral cavity, it is enough to regularly brush its teeth and feed the animal with not too dry food and coarsely chopped meat. This reduces the risk of tartar and other diseases. Too soft and liquid food, canned food and minced meat are harmful to the gums. By following these basic rules, you can keep your cat's teeth strong and healthy.