When do cats replace milk teeth with permanent teeth? When milk teeth erupt in cats Why does a cat's teeth itch

An adult cat has a total of 30 teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines and 14 premolars (8 in the upper jaw and 6 in the lower). The change of teeth is completed by about eight months. Permanent teeth are very sharp, cutting surface. Incisors are needed to capture food and care for hair, fangs are a formidable weapon for hunting and protection from enemies, premolars grind large pieces of food.

If after a year not all permanent teeth have grown, the cat will be missing one or more teeth for the rest of its life. Oligodontia (congenital incomplete teeth) is inherited, so such an animal must be removed from breeding. Depending on how many teeth are missing, the pet experiences a certain degree of inconvenience when eating food.

Dental diseases of varying severity can be observed in cats of different ages - some develop severe diseases in their youth.

The development of diseases is influenced by many factors, among which the following are especially important:

Misalignment of teeth.
Diet.
Infectious diseases.
Availability of dental care.
The environment in the mouth - changes in the microflora and the presence of bacteria can significantly affect the development of diseases.
Genetics – Some cats may be more prone to dental disease than others.

Common Symptoms of Dental Diseases in Cats

Insufficient care, poor nutrition, hard water, hereditary predisposition and some infections can cause oral diseases.

When your teeth hurt, it’s easy to notice the problem:

The pet rubs its muzzle with its paw or persistently rubs its cheek against the furniture.
There is an unpleasant smell from the mouth.
The gums become red and inflamed.
One or more teeth change color.
The pet does not allow you to touch her cheek, shows aggression if the owner tries to look into her mouth.
Depending on how many teeth the cat has, she may either refuse food completely or eat with caution (chewing on one side, dropping pieces, chewing food more slowly than usual).
With severe pain, the cat behaves restlessly, scratches his cheek with his paw, meows, or sits in a frozen pose with his jaw slightly open. Salivation may increase.

Milk teeth are perfectly white, because plaque simply does not have time to appear on them. But on permanent teeth, over time, a grayish or yellowish coating appears - saliva, food particles and myriads of bacteria. Plaque is a layer of bacteria that develops on the tooth surface. At first, the plaque film is almost invisible, it can only be detected using special methods.

The occurrence of plaque is influenced by many factors:

heredity;
type of feeding;
features of digestion, etc.

To keep your teeth white, you need to remove plaque: chew toys, cleaning biscuits, regular brushing.

It is important to monitor the plaque on the teeth of a cat, since its formation is very often the cause of the development of dental diseases. Timely detection and elimination of plaque is an important measure to prevent dental disease in cats. Plaque can be removed with a toothbrush, which will also keep your cat's gums healthy.

If plaque is not removed in time, it hardens, forming calculus on the surface of the tooth - porous deposits in which bacteria teem. Tartar is clearly visible and looks like a brownish-yellow or brown hard build-up on the surface of the tooth. The stone appears at the base of the tooth, and then grows to the root, penetrating under the gum, and upwards, eventually covering the tooth completely.

The main causes of tartar in cats are:

Eating only soft food and table food for your cat.
Improper oral hygiene.
Some types of metabolic disorders, especially salt.
Incorrect position and increased roughness of the teeth.

In addition, there is a breed predisposition of cats to the occurrence of this disease. In cats, this disease is more common in Persians, Britons, Scottishfolds.

Depending on how many teeth are covered with a stone, whether the gums are affected, whether the cat tolerates manipulations calmly, the veterinarian chooses a method for removing deposits. Because tartar is very hard, it usually cannot be removed with simple tools such as toothbrushes. The doctor will clean off the tartar with a spatula or use ultrasound.

Incorrect alignment of teeth in the mouth contributes to the formation of plaque and tartar. This is due to the fact that the teeth are not cleaned naturally while the cat is chewing food.

Reasons for teeth misalignment:

Features of the breed. Cats of "short-nosed" breeds (Persians, Exotics, etc.) almost certainly have deviations in the positioning of the teeth, sometimes very significant. Their jawbones are often too small to properly accommodate all of their teeth, causing the teeth to be too tight and misaligned.
Retention of milk teeth. In some cats, milk (children's) teeth may remain in the jaw while the permanent teeth are already beginning to grow. If a permanent tooth cannot push out a milk tooth during growth, it can grow at the wrong angle, taking a position unusual for a normal tooth.
Trauma or congenital anomalies. Sometimes a cat's jaws can be misshaped due to birth defects (malformations such as undershot or overshot bites) or due to trauma (such as a broken jaw). An incorrectly shaped jaw can also cause the teeth to be misaligned.

If the animal has any anomalies in the development of teeth or bite, then they can lead to the following problems:

Difficulty in eating and chewing food.
Mechanical damage to the mucous membrane of the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue.
Diseases of the digestive system.

The most common types of anomalies are:

Polyodontia or polydentation.
Oligodontia, or a reduced number of teeth in the mouth.
Convergence - excessive convergence of the roots of the teeth.
Retention - the tooth is not in the jaw row.
Divergence - the divergence of the roots of the teeth.

Most bite disorders are genetically determined and are associated with a violation of the growth and development of the jaws. In some cases, malocclusion contributes to the delay in the change of milk teeth, due to which the molars are forced to grow in the direction free for them.

Undershot. This is the case when the upper jaw is longer than the lower, that is, the upper incisors overlap the lower ones without touching.
Snack. It is the complete opposite of the above. The lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper, like a bulldog.
Twisted mouth. This is the most severe case of malocclusion. In this situation, uneven growth of one of the sides of the jaw is observed, which leads to its distortion. This developmental defect leads to difficulty in grasping food and tearing it.

Incorrect bite can be a consequence of the preservation of milk teeth, which disrupts their closure and can lead to a stop in the normal growth of the jaws. Such teeth should be removed before four to five months of age.

Malocclusion in cats is much less common than in dogs, since the structure of the head of cats does not depend on the breed. Short-faced breeds, such as the Persian cat, are the most prone to these disorders.

The undershot bite observed in small kittens corrects itself if the departure is small. In a kitten with undershot bite, after the change of milk teeth to permanent teeth, damage to the soft tissues of the oral cavity can be observed. In this case, tooth extraction may be required, and due to the continued growth of the lower jaw, the bite may become scissor-shaped.

Teeth can be destroyed due to caries - after all, this is rotting of bone tissue. The causes of caries are many:

Mechanical damage to the enamel.
Wrong nutrition.
Tooth stone.
Violation of metabolic functions.
Deficiency in the body of iodine, fluorine, vitamin B, molybdenum.

In cats, tooth decay can manifest itself in four different stages:

Spotted.
Surface.
Medium dental caries.
deep caries.

Each subsequent stage of the disease is a consequence of the previous one, that is, if left untreated, spotted caries will turn into superficial, and so on along the chain.

Common signs of the disease for all types of caries are:

Darkening of tooth enamel.
The appearance of an unpleasant odor from the mouth of a cat.
Over time, a hollow (hole) forms in the diseased tooth.
Increased salivation.
Pain when chewing.
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the gums.

The further caries starts, the signs increase, and sometimes they can turn into more serious diseases (pulpitis, periodontitis, osteomyelitis). If caries is left unattended, rotting will capture neighboring teeth and spread to the entire oral cavity. Cats' teeth hurt like humans, so a carious tooth needs to be removed or treated as soon as possible.

Caries in cats should be treated by a specialist. From the owner, only preventive measures are required, consisting in constant monitoring of the condition of the teeth and immediate contact with the veterinarian if any changes are observed in the tooth enamel.

Odontogenic osteomyelitis is an inflammatory disease that usually develops in cats as a complication of caries, purulent periodontitis, and dental pulpitis. Due to infection or due to untreated caries, a cavity filled with pus forms on the gum. Over time, the sac bursts, pus flows out.

Symptoms of dental osteomyelitis in cats:

Redness of the gums appears around one or more teeth.
At the level of the lesion, a compacted and painful swelling appears, which is clearly visible from the outside.
An abscess develops under the periosteum, usually spontaneously opening inside the oral cavity, less often on the outside of the jaw.
A fistula is formed through which purulent exudate is released.
The cat refuses food, quickly loses weight.
Regional lymph nodes are enlarged and painful.

First aid: irrigation of the oral cavity with potassium permanganate.

Osteomyelitis requires immediate veterinary intervention! The doctor will open the fistula, remove the fluid from its cavity, treat the affected area with an antiseptic.

Homeopathic treatment. Echinacea compositum and phosphorus-homaccord in the form of joint injections first daily, then 2-3 times a day until the process stabilizes. As additional means, you can use cardus compositum, coenzyme compositum or goal.

One of the most common diseases in veterinary practice is periodontal disease. It begins with the deposition of plaque and tartar on the teeth near the edge of the gums (near the neck of the tooth). The disease occurs in cats after two years, although it can be observed earlier.

One of the first signs of periodontitis is bad breath. Under certain conditions, for a short period of time, this phenomenon can be completely normal. Another sign is that the attitude of the animal to the usual food is changing. This is due to the fact that the animal experiences pain when eating. The cat can sit near the saucer and look at the food, but not eat it. She is losing weight and looks unhealthy.

Indications for extraction of milk teeth

Usually, the change of teeth in cats occurs with minimal difficulties for both the pet and its owner. But there are several indications in which the only solution is removal. It is not recommended to carry out this procedure on your own. It is necessary to remove teeth only under sterile conditions.

Mucosal injury. A fallen tooth, a sharp object can cause damage;
Periodontal disease. Gum disease is one of the most common oral diseases in cats. The main symptom is bad breath. Why does periodontal disease occur in cats, the veterinarian will answer, a visit to which is required;
bite changes. There are cases when cats have double fangs, forming the wrong bite. The animal is uncomfortable to eat, the jaw is skewed. What to do in this case, only an experienced doctor will tell you. The only solution is to remove the extra teeth. The operation is performed under general anesthesia.

With any change in behavior, manifestations of an unpleasant odor or other alarming symptoms (refusal to eat and drink for more than a day), you must contact the clinic. At home, it is unrealistic to examine the oral cavity with high quality and even more so to remove the tooth on your own. Qualified assistance provided on time will save money, enable your beloved pet to develop correctly and give joy to its owner.

Possible complications in the process of changing teeth

Changing teeth in kittens and cats is usually problem-free and without any inconvenience. Often the owners do not even notice it. But veterinarians advise between 5 and 8 months - the full period of tooth change - to periodically inspect the mouth of pets purely for preventive purposes. It is important not to miss a protracted inflammatory process, which will already require additional intervention or “stuck” teeth (when the staggering milk one is still holding on, and a new permanent one is already actively growing under it).

Inflammation of the gums

Teething or their change may be accompanied by a slight inflammatory process, which disappears on its own after the full formation of the dentition. With improper feeding, inflammation can be delayed.

Signs:

kitten / cat tries to chew everything;
saliva flows profusely;
the animal can rub its muzzle with its paw or rub its muzzle against objects;
appetite may decrease due to increased soreness;
when examining the gums, their swelling and intense redness are detected.

Treatment

Inflammation during the change of teeth goes away on its own when the pet is transferred to soft food, eliminating additional irritation of the gums with solid food.

Residual ("stuck") milk teeth

Very often, the first teeth do not fall out until the moment when the permanent molar is shown from the gum. This phenomenon can disrupt the bite due to improper growth of the molar and lead to injuries to the gums, cheeks and lips of the cat. It is better if the veterinarian will deal with the diagnosis, because. an inexperienced owner cannot always distinguish young teeth from permanent ones.

Signs:

the presence of milk teeth over the age of 6 months (rarely);
the presence of loose milk teeth with obvious signs of growth of permanent ones under them.

Treatment

If, when examining the mouth, the veterinarian notes the impossibility of spontaneous loss of milk teeth, they resort to surgical removal under anesthesia.

Prevention of dental disease in cats

Unfortunately, dental diseases are not uncommon. In their natural environment, felines clean their teeth mechanically, eating raw meat and chewing cartilage. In addition, a domestic cat lives twice as long as a stray animal - enamel wears off with age, loads on teeth lead to mechanical damage, bacteria penetrate through cracks, which in turn leads to caries and other problems. Many owners exacerbate the situation, as they are simply too lazy to brush their pet's teeth.

To keep your teeth healthy for many years, you must:

Regularly inspect the oral cavity, removing stuck pieces of food.
Seek medical attention if you notice even slight signs of gum or tooth disease.
Feed your cat a balanced diet (if dry food is used, periodically add "oral" lines to the food menu, designed to prevent diseases of the teeth and gums).

Since not every owner is able to brush the teeth of an animal (some pets categorically refuse to tolerate a foreign object in their mouth), it is necessary to take the cat to the veterinarian at least once every six months to remove plaque and stone.

If possible, brush your teeth once a week. To remove plaque, use a brush with soft bristles or a special nozzle on the finger, equipped with rubber teeth. Human toothpaste is not the best choice, it is wiser to purchase a special toothpaste or gel for pets. The cat is taught to brush his teeth gradually, at first only by examining the oral cavity, then touching his teeth with his fingers, then letting the cat chew on the brush with the paste applied to it (paste with a meaty aroma and taste is perfect, which will not scare the pet with a “chemical” smell). After cleaning, excess paste must be removed with a sterile gauze swab.

Is it possible to vaccinate an animal during the period of changing teeth?

The change of teeth is a burden on the immune system of the body, if vaccinations are carried out during this period, then this does not favorably affect the immune status, weakens the body, and can delay the growth of the kitten.

Therefore, pet owners should vaccinate their pets in a timely manner, according to the schedule prescribed by the veterinarian.

The vaccination schedule takes into account a variety of age-related characteristics of the body, including the physiological state during the change of teeth. This will help the kitten grow into a healthy and strong cat and delight its owner for many years.

Here the opinion of experts is divided. Although many believe that it is still not worth vaccinating at such a time. It is better to do this earlier (two or three months) or later (about eight months), since during the change of teeth various changes occur in the body (hormonal, by the way, too). Vaccination is an additional burden, it can provoke complications, as well as other side effects.

Nutrition during the change of teeth

Diet certainly plays a role in the development of some dental diseases in cats. It is possible that eating only soft canned foods that do not have an abrasive effect on the teeth during chewing may contribute to the accelerated formation of plaque. Residues from the food itself can accumulate on or between teeth, stimulating bacterial growth and plaque formation.

Some infections can cause gingivitis, so your veterinarian may test your cat for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), and feline calicivirus (FCV). FIV and FeLV can cause immune suppression, which increases the chance of developing periodontal disease and gingivitis. The presence of chronic (long-term) inflammation of the gums and oral mucosa (gingivitis and stomatitis) in a cat may signal an FCV infection.

Feeding during the period of changing teeth should correspond to the recommended current age of the kitten.

We must not forget that the main building blocks of tooth tissue are calcium and phosphorus. Vitamins D and A contribute to the absorption of these elements. Accordingly, during the change of teeth, the diet should include a sufficient amount of these elements and vitamins.

Other vitamin complexes will not interfere, since during this period immunity decreases somewhat due to inflammatory processes in the gums.

The diet should be saturated with foods containing a lot of calcium and phosphorus.

In the diet, you need to use cottage cheese and sour-milk products, give them daily, in small portions.

Meat - beef, chicken, turkey, rabbit meat, is fed scalded or boiled, cut into small pieces.

Sometimes, twice a week, you can feed non-oily sea fish, boiled.

Meat or fish is fed mixed with cereals (oatmeal, buckwheat, rice) and vegetables (carrots, zucchini, pumpkin).

Even if your cat's only prey is chicken-flavored food and toy mice, she still needs clean, sharp teeth and healthy gums. Damage to the tongue, teeth, palate, and gums can lead to many health problems in cats, but these can be prevented with regular home checkups and a good old-fashioned toothbrush.

Here are ten steps to healthy cat teeth:

1. Breath test: "breathe, I'll sniff." From the mouth of a cat, of course, should not smell like roses, but the smell should not be unpleasant and nasty. If an abnormally strong comes out of the kitten's mouth, it may have problems with digestion or gums (for example,), and it should be shown to the veterinarian.

2. Inspection of the lips: pull the cat's head towards you and gently move her lips, look at the gums. The gums should be firm and pink, not white or red, and there should be no signs of swelling. Teeth should be clean and free of brownish tartar, and there should be no broken or missing teeth.

3. Detailed examination: Check for the following signs that could indicate a cat's dental health problems:

Dark red lines along the gums;
Red and swollen gums;
Ulcers on the gums or tongue;
Lost teeth;
Pus;
Difficulty chewing food;
strong;
The cat strongly scratches and combs the mouth area.

4. Dangerous swelling: If you notice any signs of gum disease, be sure to take your cat to the veterinarian for a checkup. If gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and eating difficulties. Inflammation of the gums may also indicate internal problems, such as or.

5. Underlying tooth decay: Bacteria and plaque-forming foods can accumulate on a cat's teeth. They can harden and turn into tartar. Tartar can cause inflammation of the gums and tooth loss. Solution? Of course, this is regular brushing of teeth.

6. Brush your cat's teeth: All you need to clean a cat's teeth is cotton swabs, a small toothbrush, and a tube of toothpaste designed specifically for cats (available at any pet store). You can also use salt and water. Never use toothpaste made for humans, as ingredients can be harmful and even poisonous to your cat!

7. Sparkling and pearly white teeth: Clean your cat's teeth at home by following these simple steps:

Your cat needs to get used to the toothbrush first. Start by gently massaging her gums with your fingers and dabbing cotton swabs over them.
After a few sessions, put some cat toothpaste on her lips so she can taste the paste.
Then try using a toothbrush designed specifically for cats, which is smaller than human toothbrushes and has soft bristles. There are also toothbrushes on sale that you can put on your finger, they also allow you to give a good massage to your cat's gums.
Finally, apply toothpaste to your teeth for a gentle brushing.
It's a good idea to take your cat to the vet to see if your cat has gum disease. Many cats have mild gingivitis, and brushing their teeth and gums too hard can hurt them.

8. Chew toys: Chew toys will help satisfy your cat's natural urge to chew, making her teeth strong. Gnawing on chew toys can also help your cat brush their teeth, massage their gums, and gently scrape off tartar.

9. Diet for healthy teeth: If your cat has dental problems, ask your veterinarian to recommend a special diet that will help keep your cat's teeth healthy and remove plaque.

10. Knowledge of Oral Diseases: If your cat suffers from any of the following symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately:

: This is an inflammation of the gums that occurs mainly in older cats. It may begin as a dark red line bordering the teeth. If left untreated, the gums can become inflamed and ulcerate. This disease may be a sign of feline immunodeficiency virus or another infection.
Periodontitis: If gingivitis affects the alveolus of the tooth, the tooth may fall out and an abscess may form in its place.
: This is an inflammation of the oral mucosa. May be the result of a foreign body in the mouth, a viral disease, or dental problems. In this case, the cat experiences difficulties with nutrition, and the mucous membrane of the mouth becomes red.
Corrosive ulcer: A slowly expanding sore, sore, ulcer, or swelling on the upper lip.
Salivary cyst: If the salivary glands or ducts that carry saliva to the mouth are blocked, cysts can form under the tongue.
Mouth ulcers: Ulcers on a cat's tongue and gums are sometimes caused by respiratory or kidney disease.

Kittens, like many other animals, are born toothless. Then the first milk teeth grow, which over time are replaced by permanent ones. The process of growth and change of the dentition usually does not present any difficulties and often goes unnoticed by a person.

But to understand it and understand how everything happens, the owner of mustachioed pets is worth it. This will help to notice and eliminate potential problems in the oral cavity associated with the chewing apparatus in cats.

Formation of a dental bite from the birth of a cat

A complete set of milk teeth in cats consists of 26 pieces. The onset of gingival eruption is noted between 2-3 weeks after birth (usually closer to 3 weeks). A complete milk bite is formed by 6 weeks (maximum by 8). The appearance of the first sharp teeth is a signal that kittens can begin to introduce "chewing" complementary foods.

Teething order:

Healthy baby teeth in a kitten

incisors (2-4 weeks from birth);
fangs (3-4 weeks);
premolars (6-8 weeks).

Milk teeth in cats are whiter and thinner than permanent teeth.

Change of milk teeth to permanent ones

When do kittens/cats change milk teeth?

Changing the dentition in cats is a painless process and usually goes unnoticed by the owners. The onset is noted by 3-5 months of age. By 7-8 months, a permanent root bite is usually formed, including 30 pieces of teeth.

The permanent dentition consists of:

The added 4 molars are missing in the milk bite.

Procedure for changing teeth

There is no clear order and exact timing for changing teeth, but most experts are of the opinion that in cats everything changes in the same order as it grows:

first incisors (at 4-5 months);
then fangs (at 4-6 months);
the last to be replaced are premolars (at 5-6 months);
molars grow (by the end of 6 months).

Characteristic features of a healthy grin

Healthy grin in a cat

Healthy molars are pure white at first, becoming slightly yellow over time. After 4-5 years, you can observe signs of abrasion of the tooth surface due to age - the fangs are slightly dulled, and the curvature of the premolars and molars is smoothed out. Cats older than 5-6 years of age may already be missing some permanent teeth, but healthy animals do just fine without them.

How often do teeth change in cats/cats?

The dentition of domestic baleen predators changes once in a lifetime, replacing milk components with permanent ones. If tooth loss has been noted at any age older than 1 year, then this is not the norm, and there must be a specific reason for this.

Symptoms of teething or changing teeth

Both in the first and in the second case, cats have a desire to bite and chew. Toys, bedding, pillows or hands of the owners are used. Biting a person's hands must be stopped, because. single actions can develop into a bad habit of biting them constantly.

Soreness at the time of tooth growth or their change is not noted, but some discomfort is present. There may be a decrease in appetite and increased salivation.

Loose milk teeth can interfere with the pet, so you can watch the cat shake its head, actively lick or try to get rid of it with its paw. Help is not worth it, the animal will cope on its own!

When the teeth change to the main ones, the milk ones can fall out, or they can be swallowed. This phenomenon happens very often, but is not a reason for excitement.

Possible complications in the process of changing teeth

Inflammation of the gums

Signs:

Inflammation of the gums of the upper jaw

kitten / cat tries to chew everything;
saliva flows profusely;
the animal can rub its muzzle with its paw or rub its muzzle against objects;
appetite may decrease due to increased soreness;
when examining the gums, their swelling and intense redness are detected.

Treatment

Inflammation during the change of teeth goes away on its own when the pet is transferred to soft food, eliminating additional irritation of the gums with solid food.

Residual ("stuck") milk teeth

Very often, the first teeth do not fall out until the moment when the permanent molar is shown from the gum. This phenomenon can disrupt the bite due to improper growth of the molar and lead to injuries to the gums, cheeks and lips of the cat. It is better if the veterinarian will deal with the diagnosis, because. an inexperienced owner cannot always distinguish young teeth from permanent ones.

Signs:

Residual tooth in a kitten

the presence of milk teeth over the age of 6 months (rarely);
the presence of loose milk teeth with obvious signs of growth of permanent ones under them.

Treatment

If, when examining the mouth, the veterinarian notes the impossibility of spontaneous loss of milk teeth, they resort to surgical removal under anesthesia.

Cat teeth care

It is sometimes useful to look into the mouth of a domestic animal for a general assessment of the condition of the teeth and the oral cavity as a whole, even if outwardly there is no hint of problems with the chewing apparatus. There are no special conditions for caring for the oral cavity of a cat, except for the proper organization of nutrition in accordance with age.

An advanced case of tartar in a cat

Tartar is one of the most common cat teeth problems. In nature, predators do not have such a problem. It is also absent in pets receiving dry food or food in large pieces. With regular feeding with soft food, when the self-cleaning procedure of the oral cavity is excluded, plaque forms on the teeth, which, under the influence of bacteria, salts and food debris, turns into tartar. The launched process will require cleaning with special tools in the conditions of veterinary clinics and under anesthesia.

To prevent this trouble, you should:

brush the teeth of cats at home with special brushes on rubber (silicone) fingertips at least once every 3-4 weeks;
periodically feed with special dry food for self-cleaning teeth;
do not feed soft food in the form of small pieces.

For preventive sanitation of the oral cavity in cats, as well as to prevent the formation of plaque and tartar, as prescribed by a veterinarian, you can use the drug "Stomadex" C100 in courses of 10 days (cost: 400-450 rubles / pack with 10 tablets). The tablet from the package is glued with a finger on the dry surface of the cheek closer to the toothless edge (top or bottom). The cheek is dried with a clean, dry paper towel. After attaching the tablet, the animal should not be given food or drink for 20-25 minutes. It is better to do the procedure before going to bed, half an hour after the last feeding (the period when the amount of saliva produced decreases).

Cat toothbrush

To brush your teeth, you can use special mixtures sold in pet stores or veterinary pharmacies or cook it yourself (½ tsp of soda without top is moistened with red wine to a paste consistency and is used to clean premolars and molars). Do not use human cleaning pastes for cats!

The formation of the chewing apparatus in cats occurs according to the general laws of animal physiology and does not require human intervention. But this does not relieve the owners of fanged pets from monitoring this process and routine examination of the oral cavity.

The appearance and change of teeth in Maine Coons, their growth, abrasion, loss is a process that is natural for all mammals. Maine Coon kittens are born without sharp "nippers". The first teeth begin to appear in the second week of life, and by three months the kitten becomes the owner of a complete children's milk set of teeth - there are twenty-six of them in total. They grow, and from the fourth month, the replacement of children's teeth with permanent ones begins. They are cut gradually - first new incisors appear, then canines, premolars and molars.

Read in the article:

An adult Maine Coon cat has thirty teeth - molars are added to the set of milk teeth that are absent in small kittens. Cats do not chew food, and use their teeth only for chewing, biting and tearing food into small pieces suitable for swallowing.

When to expect a change of teeth in a kitten

By the sixth or seventh month of life, the growing Maine Coon usually acquires permanent teeth, but a delay is also possible - sometimes the process of “tooth molting” ends at the age of nine months. During this period, growing coons resemble sharks - milk teeth that have not yet fallen out are adjacent to growing permanent ones.

Fortunately, this coexistence of old and new does not last long - loose teeth that fall out cause inconvenience to the animal, so it is advisable to get rid of them as soon as possible. Usually this problem resolves itself, but if the baby teeth of Coons are firmly held in place, they will have to be removed to avoid bite problems. It should be remembered that a Maine Coon bite defect often causes disqualification at shows.

The replacement of baby teeth with permanent ones usually goes painlessly - biting instruments that have served their age fall out on their own, but this important process should not be left unattended. If the gums are inflamed and bleeding, or, even more dangerous, suppuration or sores appear in the mouth, the kitten should be taken to a veterinarian.

In case of inflammation of the gums, it is recommended to wipe them with sea buckthorn oil or decoctions of chamomile, yarrow, sage and oak bark. Ointments and gels for the oral cavity, made on the basis of medicinal plants, will also help. You can use gels with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects intended for children, and homeopathic remedies of a similar effect.

What to do if the Maine Coon teeth itch

During this problematic period, coon owners notice a change in the behavior of their pets - pets develop a habit of chewing on everything that catches their eye. Changing teeth is a stressful condition for a growing Maine Coon, associated with uncomfortable and sometimes painful sensations.

In order to protect the legs and handles of furniture from the growing teeth of the baby, and himself from electric shock when trying to gnaw on the wires, the kitten must be offered a suitable replacement - a rubber toy or tight sinewy meat.

In pet stores, you can find special stick toys for teething kittens - often they have an attractive smell for cats, such as catnip. You should not encourage the little coon if he got into the habit of "scratching his teeth" on the hands and feet of the owner - a bad habit can be fixed, and it will not be easy to wean the Maine Coon from such fun.

Sometimes a small Maine Coon with changing teeth refuses solid food - this is due to painful sensations in the gums and should not be a cause for concern, especially if the kitten eats soft food with appetite. The Maine Coon's diet during this period must contain vitamins and microelements that help strengthen bones, namely calcium and phosphorus.

In pet stores and veterinary pharmacies, you can pick up special vitamin complexes for coons eating natural food. A growing pet can be offered dairy products: low-fat cottage cheese, natural yoghurts and kefir, as well as cartilage - these products contain calcium of animal origin, which is well absorbed by the cat's body and has a positive effect on the growth and development of the animal. In dry food intended for the nutrition of baby coons, there is already a balanced composition of the necessary substances.

Immunity during tooth replacement

During this stressful period, immunity is weakened in a young animal, therefore it is recommended to vaccinate a Maine Coon before or after the kitten's teeth change, and many experts believe that it is preferable to vaccinate a pet at 3-4 months, since the cunny needs to be protected during a difficult period growing up from infections that can be brought into the house with outdoor shoes and outerwear.

For Coons participating in exhibitions and in contact with other animals, vaccination is especially important. We should not forget that usually at the age of four months, kittens from catteries move to their new homes, which also increases the risk of contracting the disease due to stress.

The growth and change of teeth is one of the first serious tests for little coons and their owners, but by following the simple rules of caring for the animal and carefully monitoring the condition of the pet, you can go through this path without much difficulty. After the animal has acquired permanent teeth, you should regularly monitor the condition of the pet's oral cavity in order to avoid dental problems.

Videos brushing cat teeth

Kittens can have the same dental problems as adult cats and cats, only the approach to fixing them will be a little different. It will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with the frequently asked questions and the answers to them in order to have an idea of how to act in a given situation and how to help a kitten start with dental problems.

When do kittens get teeth?

Teeth begin to erupt in kittens from two weeks of age, and this lasts up to 2-3 months of age. There are only 26 milk teeth in cats.

Animal diseases yellow teeth in kittens

Even small kittens can develop dental problems. This problem is tartar, which looks like yellow plaque on the teeth near the gums. If you don't take care of your kitten's teeth, the problem can grow and the plaque will become large and hard.

It occurs due to bacteria and the presence of leftover food and salts in the kitten's mouth.

Moreover, these problems occur exclusively in domestic cats. Street cats use their teeth more actively. If you don't want to brush your kitten's teeth, then give him larger pieces of meat or solid food, but then another problem may appear - with digestion.

At what age do kittens' teeth change and when do kittens lose milk teeth

Primary teeth in cats fall out at about three months of age, and permanent teeth grow by the age of seven months. And by nine months they are fully formed in the amount of 30 pieces.

Are teeth falling out in 5-6 month old kittens?

At the age of five or six months, premolars and molars are replaced in cats (molars, molars are like wisdom teeth in humans).

How kittens teeth change, symptoms

Usually the change of teeth occurs without any symptoms, but it is worth noting that during this period they become more excitable. Sometimes they may refuse food, there may be weakness, lethargy, drooling.

To protect your belongings and the kitten itself, buy him special teething toys (which you can chew on).

When kittens are cutting their first teeth and molars, signs

The first to erupt in kittens are the incisors at the age of 2-5 weeks, and the molars: premolars and molars are cut from 4-12 weeks. Signs of teething:
- Abundant salivation;
-Intensive scratching of the gums, which manifests itself in the form of gnawing things;
- Weakness;
- Refusal to eat.

What and about what do kittens sharpen their teeth

Kittens are very fond of chewing pencils to sharpen their teeth, or other things that get in their teeth, but it is better to buy special hard treats for kittens at the pet store.

What to feed kittens when teeth change

The kitten's diet should be complete with plenty of phosphorus and calcium.

If you buy special food, then everything is already provided for in it. But if your cat eats natural food, then it is advised to purchase vitamin complexes for kittens.