When your kitten begins teething, they are bound to feel some discomfort which can result in them gnawing on you and objects in your house. Join our Merced veterinarians as they discuss what you should know about kitten teething and how you can help make the process easier on them.
When Do Kittens Start Teething?
Kittens will get their first set of teeth when they are around three to four weeks of age. Since the teeth irritate the mother cat when she is feeding, the baby teeth will assist in the weaning of the kittens. The emergence of an infant's teeth is typically uneventful, however, you may notice the kitten nibbling on their toys, siblings, or even you more than usual.
When Do Kittens Lose Their Baby Teeth?
When do kitten teeth fall out? Typically around 3 months of age. Your cat should have a full set of 30 adult teeth by the time they are six months old. Some kittens may take up to nine months to have their full set of adult teeth come in, so don't worry too much if your cat still has some baby teeth past the six-month mark.
Your cat's adult teeth will be with them for the rest of their life, so take good care of them! The gold standard for feline dental care includes daily brushing with cat-safe toothpaste, as well as routine professional teeth cleanings and exams. Dental diets and treats can also be beneficial for your cat.
This information can help you know how to tell how old a kitten is by their teeth (if you are unsure). Your vet should be able to tell you how to tell a kitten's age by their teeth as well.
What Are Some Common Signs of Kitten Teething?
Some signs that your kitten is starting to teethe include:
- Vocalizing more, from small to loud meows
- Increased chewing, especially on soft items
- Drooling
- Bleeding gums
- Chewing food more slowly
- Eating less
- Crankiness
- Hesitant to bite at or shake toys
- Pawing at mouth
- Bad breath
- Gingivitis
Most of these symptoms should not be anything to be worried about. However, you should still keep an eye on your kitten. If your cat loses significant weight because of a lack of appetite, for example, it's a good idea to contact your vet.
And while mild bleeding in the gums is normal, excessive bleeding may be the sign of an underlying health issue that requires veterinary intervention.
Helping a Teething Kitten
You have several options when it comes to soothing your teething kitten's discomfort. You can try to:
- Offer soft food (tinned kitten food, or kibble soaked in warm water)
- Make sure they get lots of interactive playtime with you to keep them busy and tire them out
- Make ice cubes of low-sodium chicken broth or diluted tuna juice for them to play with and chew on (the ice will soothe irritated gums)
- Provide soft toys to chew on
- Provide pet-safe cat grass for snacking
Discomfort is usually mild and should resolve itself. For extreme cases of pain, make sure you contact your veterinarian.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.