The loss of teeth in cats

The loss of teeth in puppy cats is a natural phenomenon of a healthy development, it prepares them for the adult phase. These teeth are called “milk teeth”. However, the loss of teeth in adult cats is usually frequent, and usually appears as a symptom of infection or oral injury. A healthy adult feline, who already has his final teeth, should not continue to lose pieces of his teeth.

Have you observed a “window” in your pussycat’s beautiful smile? So, we invite you to continue reading this article, to discover causes associated with tooth loss in cats, and also knowing some tips to prevent it.

Baby cats – The fall of primary teeth

Baby cats They are born without teeth, his mouth and tongue being prepared to suck the breast milk from his mother’s breast. During the weaning process, the little ones begin to develop their primary teeth, better known as “Milk teeth”. It usually occurs from the third week of life.

This first dentition is composed of 26 pieces, which only become fully visible in the 6ª or 7ª week of life of the puppy cats. At this time, his teeth are small, but very sharp and incisive, making a bite of these small can be somewhat painful.

Around your 3 or 4 months old, your pussycat experiences the change of the “milk teeth”, giving rise to the growth of the permanent teeth, which form the dentition of an adult cat. These 30 definitive pieces are thicker and stronger than milk teeth, so their growth usually generates many discomforts to the little ones

During this dental transition, your kitten will be able to nibble furniture, objects or household accessories to alleviate the uncomfortable feeling. To avoid causing damage to yourself or at home, you can give him some teethers and toys ideal for baby cats. In addition, it is possible that your appetite dwindles, due to the difficulty they have at the time of chewing. To help you eat properly you can simply temper your dry feed with a little warm water, forming a warm porridge with pleasant aroma.

We recommend that you check your baby cat’s mouth daily during this transition to avoid any milk tooth being retained and preventing the proper growth of permanent teeth. And if you detect any anomaly in the growth of your child’s teeth, or any injury to his mouth, do not hesitate to go to your trusted veterinarian.

Is it normal for adult cats to lose teeth?

The teeth of a healthy adult cat are composed of 30 pieces, of which the powerful fangs stand out. In its upper jaw, 6 incisors, 2 canines (1 on each side), 6 premolars (3 on each side), and 2 molars (1 on each end) should be included. Already in the lower part, 6 incisors, canine 2 (1 on each side), 4 premolars (2 on each side), and 1 molar at each end are observed.

Es It’s quite common for a feline to lose 1 or 2 pieces permanent during his adult life. However, the loss of teeth in adult cats is considered a negative sign, which reveals possible imbalances in your body. Many owners neglect the oral hygiene of their cats, and this not only facilitates the accumulation of tartar, it also makes it difficult to recognize the loss of a tooth.

Loss of teeth in adult cats: possible causes

When an adult cat loses a tooth, we should be alert to a possible infection or injury in his mouth. Therefore, it is essential to periodically check the teeth, gums, tongue and walls of your pussycat’s mouth. And when observing any wound, change of color or appearance, excessive drooling, unpleasant aroma or pus, do not stop resorting immediately to the vet.

The main factor associated with the loss of teeth in adult cats is feeding. The felines, unlike humans, do not have bite surfaces (which allow the chewing) on your permanent teeth. For a wild cat, this is not a problem, since its feeding is based on the consumption of fresh and raw meat. Its powerful molars act like scissors that cut food, without having to chew them.

However, a domestic cat usually consumes dry feed and some moist meals or pates that are prepared based on meat, cereals or cooked vegetables. On the one hand, this type of diet avoids the contamination of many pathologies related to the consumption of raw meat (such as toxoplasmosis). But on the other hand, it favors waste accumulation food in your teeth, which leads to the formation of tartar.

When we do not provide adequate oral hygiene to our cats, the excessive accumulation of tartar in their teeth and gums, favors the appearance of injuries and dental pathologies, among which are gingivitis and periodontal disease. If we do not deal quickly with these imbalances, our pussycat can start to lose teeth, as well as develop digestive problems.

How to prevent tooth loss in adult cats?

The best way to avoid scale buildup, prevent the loss of teeth in cats and the associated pathologies, is to provide an adequate Oral hygiene to your cat throughout his life. When was the last time you brushed your pussycat’s teeth? If you’ve never done it or if you want to learn how to do it properly, go on to discover how to clean a cat’s teeth.

Another important consideration is to think about changing the dry feed of our pussycat for a raw diet, also known as BARF diet. This proposal of raw and natural food allows you to enjoy the benefits not only for your oral health, but also for your digestion and immune system. To learn some delicious recipes, we recommend our article 5 BARF recipes for totally natural and healthy cats.

This article is merely informative, in .com we do not have the faculty to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.

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