Odontiasis: The Gnashing of Baby Kitten Teeth

February is National Dental Month for veterinarians across the US as healthy teeth translates to healthier pets. Cat Talk takes a look at how owners can care for teething kittens and how ongoing dental care helps adult cats live healthier lives.

- Candilee Jackson

Teething. Whether a mother to human children or “mommy” to your fur children, teething is not a pleasant time in any household. Because of the age involved in teething, little ones cannot tell a parent or caregiver where it hurts, but the evidence of little teeth buds in a baby’s mouth is a dead giveaway. And, believe it or not, kittens are much the same, right down to not being able to tell us where it hurts.

Kitten Teething Stages

Kittens are born without teeth, and their set of 26 baby teeth “begin erupting around three weeks of age, and are usually fully in between six and eight weeks of age.”1

The second teething stage begins between three and four months of age and lasts two to three months. The first teeth are the incisors, or front teeth, which are followed by the canine teeth. The last permanent teeth to erupt are the premolars and molars.1 A normal feline will have 30 permanent adult teeth.

Signs of Teething1

1. Kittens may be reluctant to eat; chew differently, prefer soft foods. Drooling can also occur if teeth are missing or recently lost.

2. Excessive chewing may occur. Fortunately, kittens are not as aggressive as puppies, but chewing eases the pressure from erupting teeth.1

3. Kittens may shake their heads or paw at their muzzles, a very clear indication of where the discomfort is.

4. Because there is mild discomfort, some kittens may become grumpy and may not want their faces touched. Grooming them may mean additional irritation for those already sensitive gums.

How Can We Help a Teething Kitten?