A kitten’s first few months are stuffed with milestones. They will go from tiny balls of fur with closed eyes to playful kittens who’re weaned and prepared for his or her new houses. One step all kittens undergo is teething. Learn extra concerning the teething course of, together with what to anticipate, your kitten’s indicators, and the right way to take care of a teething kitten.
What Is Kitten Teething?
“Teething” is identical for cats as it’s for people: the event and eruption of latest tooth. Kittens will tooth twice earlier than their first birthday. A kitten’s child tooth are a significant developmental milestone. This first set of tooth, that are additionally known as “milk teeth,” are available between 3 weeks and eight weeks of age. These tooth make it attainable for kittens to wean and transition to kitten meals. The first tooth to look are the incisors within the entrance of the mouth, adopted by canines and pre-molars. Kittens usually have 26 child tooth.
Kittens don’t have their child tooth for very lengthy. They will begin dropping this primary set of tooth round 3 ½ to six months old when their grownup tooth are available. A kitten’s child tooth are tiny, so it’s possible you’ll by no means see the misplaced tooth. Many kittens will swallow their child tooth throughout mealtimes.
Some kittens won’t lose their child tooth regardless of grownup tooth erupting, which is a situation known as retained deciduous tooth. Your vet can take away any retained child tooth in order that the grownup tooth can are available usually. Once the teething course of is full, a cat has 30 grownup tooth.
What Are the Signs of Kitten Teething?
Some kittens which might be teething could paw at their mouths. You could discover that they eat lower than regular resulting from mouth discomfort, however crimson gums and slight bleeding are regular. Offer moist or softened meals in case your kitten has a decreased urge for food whereas teething.
It can also be frequent for teething kittens to chew and chunk extra. This is the right time to develop good habits and deter undesirable behaviors. Offer them toys they will chew on. Don’t let your kitten play chunk you or chew on issues like furnishings. This conduct gained’t be cute once they’re adults, and also you’ll be glad you set boundaries now.
What Are the Causes of Kitten Teething?
Teething is the method of tooth erupting previous the gumline. A kitten’s first set of child tooth permits them to wean from their mom or a bottle and begin consuming kitten meals. And then, similar to people, kittens lose this primary set of tooth as their bigger grownup tooth are available.
How Do I Care for a Kitten That Is Teething?
Teething is a standard course of for kittens. Most won’t want any particular care or consideration from you. Your vet will verify your kitten’s tooth throughout their routine wellness exams.
You can moisten your kitten’s meals or provide moist meals if they’ve mouth discomfort throughout teething. A lack of urge for food is usually a signal of one thing apart from regular teething. Contact your vet in case your kitten stops consuming or loses weight.
The need to chew or chunk whereas teething is regular. Offer your cat chewing toys to fulfill this urge. Now is the time to make it clear that biting you—even play biting—is unacceptable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below, we reply a few of the mostly requested questions individuals have about their kitten’s tooth.
Is It Normal for Adult Cats to Lose Teeth?
No, the lack of grownup tooth in cats just isn’t regular and warrants a name to the vet. A cat can have all of its grownup tooth round 5 to six months of age. Your vet can verify whether or not your cat is finished teething or continues to be dropping child tooth.
How Long Does Kitten Teething Last?
The technique of teething will fluctuate for every kitten. It sometimes takes round a month for a kitten’s child tooth to erupt. Most kittens have their first set of tooth by the point they’re 2 months old.
Kittens will then lose their child tooth as their grownup tooth emerge. Most older kittens have all of their grownup tooth by the point they’re 6 months old. Talk to your vet in case you have any issues concerning the teething course of.
Should I Brush My Kitten’s Teeth?
Yes! The finest time to get a kitten used to tooth brushing is when their first child tooth floor. You can begin by overlaying considered one of your fingers with gauze and gently wiping down the tooth. You also can use a cotton swab. As your kitten will get older and larger, you may swap to a cat finger toothbrush or a small pet toothbrush.
You don’t must brush your kitten’s tooth completely if you begin out. The concept is to get them used to opening their mouth and tolerating brushing. While it’s preferrred to brush your cat’s tooth each day, that’s not practical for many individuals. Aim for a couple of instances every week.
Never use toothpaste or mouthwash meant for people in your cat. Fluoride will be poisonous for cats. Many pet-safe toothpastes are available flavors that attraction to cats, like poultry.
Conclusion
Kittens tooth twice, similar to people do. Most kittens have a whole set of child tooth by the point they’re 2 months old. This first set of tooth falls out tooth by tooth till they’ve all of their grownup tooth. A kitten’s grownup tooth ought to emerge by the point they’re 6 months old. Some kittens will retain their child tooth longer than regular. Your vet will study your kitten’s mouth throughout their wellness exams, and child tooth that don’t come out on their very own could must be pulled to make room for grownup tooth.
The common kitten gained’t require particular care throughout teething. You can soften their dry kibble or provide moist meals if consuming causes ache.
Featured Image Credit: Garmasheva Natalia, Shutterstock
