When your young cat was around 2 months old, they only had 26 baby teeth. After around 3 months of age, they started to lose those deciduous teeth and grow in their permanent teeth. You may have even found some of their little teeth around your home, though it’s also common for them to swallow their deciduous teeth.
After around 6 to 7 months of age, your young cat should have had all their adult teeth. Instead of 26 baby teeth, they now have 30 adult teeth.
What kinds of teeth do cats have?
Your cat has 16 teeth on their upper jaw and 14 teeth on their lower jaw. On each side of the upper jaw, your cat has 3 incisors, 1 canine, 3 premolars and 1 molar. On each side of the lower jaw, your young cat has 3 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars and 1 molar.
What are the types of teeth used for?
Your cat has 4 main types of teeth, and they all serve different functions.
Cat incisors
The small teeth in the very front of your cat’s mouth between the canines are called incisors. One of the main functions of incisors is to help with grooming. They can also snip small pieces of food or plants, so they might be used to snip off little things like pieces of cat grass.
Cat canines
The canine teeth are the fangs. The main function of canines is to grasp food. If your cat was an outdoor hunter, they’d use their fangs to snag their prey. Indoor kitties mostly use their canines during play when practicing their natural predatory behaviors.
In addition to their claws, your cat may also use their canine teeth to protect themselves. These teeth can result in deep bites.
Cat premolars
The premolars are sharp and serrated teeth that crunch food. They also help with grasping prey.
Cat molars
The molars are flat teeth in the very back of the mouth. These teeth are mostly for crunching hard food.
What if my cat has more than 30 teeth?
If your cat looks like they have more than one tooth sharing a space, it means that their baby tooth may not have fallen out (retained deciduous tooth). Baby teeth that didn’t fall out can lead to overcrowding in the mouth, causing teeth to come out of alignment and increasing tartar buildup between crowded teeth. Increased tartar buildup speeds the development of periodontal disease.
If your cat has a baby tooth that never fell out, your veterinarian will likely recommend removing this tooth at your cat’s first dental appointment.
What if my cat is missing a tooth?
Over time, it’s not uncommon for cats to lose a few of their teeth. However, it’s not considered normal. Tooth loss can occur due to dental disease or injury.
If you’re noticing missing teeth, it’s a good idea to contact your VCA care team for an evaluation. The veterinarian will rule out dental disease and may perform sedated dental x-rays if they suspect a tooth root may be present under the gums.
Find out more about retained baby teeth in cats.
