Kittens and teething

So, when do kittens lose their milk teeth? The process varies, but kittens can start to lose their baby teeth around 12 weeks (3 months of age), continuing until they are about 6 months old, by which time they should have a full set of 30 adult teeth. In some cases, it might take up to 9 months for all adult teeth to come in.

Please refer to the kitten teething age below.

•    Birth: Kittens are born without teeth.
•    2 to 4 weeks: Incisors erupt. These tiny teeth are at the front of the upper and lower jaws, six on top and six on the bottom.
•    3 to 4 weeks: Canines emerge. These are the long teeth next to the incisors, with one on each side of the upper and lower jaws.
•    4 to 6 weeks: Premolars appear. Kittens have three premolars on each side of the upper jaw and two on each side of the lower jaw.
•    8 weeks: All 26 baby teeth are typically in place by this time.
 

•    3 ½ to 4 months: Baby incisors fall out, replaced by adult incisors.
•    4 to 5 months: Baby canines and premolars fall out. Adult canines, premolars, and one molar on each side start to emerge.
•    5 to 7 months: Kittens typically finish losing their teeth at 6 months and will have their full set of 30 adult teeth.
 

Kittens go through two teething phases in their lives. First, they will grow their 26 baby teeth, and once they start falling out, they will later replace them with their 30 adult teeth.

Although teething usually isn’t painful, kittens may experience some discomfort and soreness as their new, sharp teeth break through their gums. Where you can, offer them suitable chew toys to prevent them from nibbling on inappropriate items.
 

As your furry friend starts to age, there are some telltale signs your kitten is teething, such as:

•    Missing Teeth: As your kitten’s teeth start falling out, you may not find them since it’s common for kittens to swallow their baby teeth without health concerns.
•    Pawing at the Mouth and Shaking Their Heads: Behaviour may indicate your kitten is trying to dislodge a loose tooth.
•    Increased Chewing: Your kitten might chew more to alleviate the pressure from their emerging teeth.
•    Irritability: A teething kitten may be grumpier than usual due to the discomfort in their mouth and gums.
•    Slight Gum Bleeding: Small specks of blood in their food or water bowls indicate minor gum bleeding.
•    Face Sensitivity: Your kitten might show discomfort when you touch their face.
•    Decreased Grooming: A drop in grooming activity can signify oral discomfort.
 

Although kitten teething is typically a minor issue, you can provide additional support to your kitten during this phase by:

•    Being gentle during playtime – avoid pulling toys from their mouth.
•    Skipping tooth brushing during teething to prevent them from associating brushing with pain. However, continuing with the routine of letting them play with or chew on the brush may be beneficial to continue with the habit of dental care.
•    Offering wet food or moistened kibble to make eating easier.
 

Teething toys can help ease your kitten’s discomfort and are usually made from rubber or soft plastic, providing safe chewing options.

•    Soft Chew Toys: These are gentle on sore gums but provide relief from kitten teething pain.
•    Chew Toys with Catnip: These kitten teether options combine the soothing effect of catnip with the comfort of soft chew material.
•    Plastic Chew Wheels: Suitable for kittens with some adult teeth, these wheels offer gentle chewing and help keep teeth clean.
•    Teething Balls: Made from non-toxic latex and foam, these balls provide soft, soothing relief for a teething kitten and help maintain dental hygiene.

Maintaining good oral health with kitten dental treats from the start can also prevent future dental issues and promote good oral care. Starting the routine of dental care and tooth brushing before teething, even though it’s not strictly necessary, is ideal as the earlier habits can be implemented the better. In addition, select the right food alongside your kitten teether options for their health and dental development, opting for a kitten food that supports oral care with essential nutrients and a crunchy texture.
 

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