Are you looking for some information about cat teeth? Well, you’re in luck because we have plenty for you! Cat teeth are an important part of a cat’s anatomy, so it’s good to know all about them.
Cats have some strange grooming habits that may baffle you. You need to understand how a cat’s brain works, just like its ears and eyes—the same applies to dental health!
We’ve compiled a list of the most interesting cat facts about teeth that will give you insight into this unique aspect of your feline companion.
Best Cat Teeth Facts
Here are 20 cat teeth facts that will give you a better understanding of your cat’s dental health!
- Cats Have 30 Teeth — four incisors, two canines, and six premolars on the top jaw, and three incisors, one canine, and four premolars on the bottom jaw. Cats’ teeth are adapted to a meat-based diet; they have sharp points and small ridges that help them tear through tough animal tissue.
- Cat’s teeth are sharper than ours — cats have very sharp teeth, and they are also much smaller than human teeth. That’s why we can’t just bite through an apple as a cat does!
- Cat Teeth Continue to Grow Throughout Their Lives— a process that is referred to as “impaction.” Impaction occurs when a tooth becomes so worn down or damaged that it can no longer be used. Cats with this condition may have difficulty eating and drinking, as well as losing weight over time.
- By About Six Months of Age, a Kitten Will Have All 30 of Its Baby Teeth — and these teeth will be replaced by the time the cat is about 2 years old. Adult cats have a total of 42 teeth, with 20 in the upper jaw and 22 in the lower.
- Cats Have 3 Layers of Enamel on Their Teeth (compared to Humans— The first layer is a thin layer of enamel that covers the outside of the tooth. The second is called the prismatic layer, which is thicker than the outer enamel and has many small prisms or projections that point toward each other. The third layer is called dentin, which makes up most of a tooth’s structure.
- Cats Are Born with Baby Teeth that Fall out As They Grow Older and Permanent Teeth Emerge — This usually happens between 4 and 7 months. While cats are still kittens, their teeth may appear to be growing abnormally fast because of this process.
- Cats Have Four Different Types of Teeth — incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. The top set of incisors is called the carnassial tooth set—these are used for cutting meat and tearing food apart. They are also the longest cat teeth in the mouth.
- Cats have a total of 28 molars, but only 12 premolars — 4 above each jawbone and 3 below each jawbone (8 in total). These premolars are used for crushing food into small pieces before chewing begins again with the molars further back in the mouth cavity.
- Cats also have three pairs of cheek teeth on each side of their head— the first pair are known as the deciduous premolars, or “baby teeth”. These are the last teeth to emerge, and they fall out around age 10 months. The second pair of cheek teeth is called the permanent premolars and these will remain throughout your cat’s life.
- Cats have four rows of teeth — That’s right—cats have four sets of teeth!! Each set lasts for about two years before it falls out and is replaced by new ones growing behind it. So if your kitty seems like she’s getting older quickly, it might be because her teeth are falling out faster than normal!
- Cats have “vampire” teeth — Yes, that’s right—cats do have retractable fangs! These can be found on both sides of their mouth at the front
- They have three kinds of teeth — incisors, canines, and molars. The incisors are the front teeth, which are used for biting and tearing food. The canines are pointy teeth in the front of your cat’s mouth that they use to pierce or puncture things like prey. They also help them with hunting.
- Cats’ Permanent Teeth Start Coming in At 4 Months — old, and their baby teeth fall out at around 6 months old. A cat’s teeth are very sharp, and they can use them to tear flesh from prey or just for playing with other cats – but be careful when handling your kitty!
- The oldest cat ever had no hard palate but 46 adult teeth — 6 molars, 12 premolars, and 30 incisors. The oldest cat ever was 30 years old when it died in 1977.
- A Cat’s Teeth Are Made for Meat-Eating — they are sharp, pointed, and can break down the meat. They also help cats to hunt. A cat’s teeth are made for meat-eating- they are sharp, pointed, and can break down the meat.
- Cat Teeth Disease — A study found that 86% of cats over 3 years old had some form of periodontal disease. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to serious health problems.
- One sign that your cat has gum disease is if they have bad breath.
- Cat’s Second Set of Teeth Are Just as Sharp as The First — they just aren’t as big. They look like little daggers sticking out of your cat’s mouth, and they are! These teeth are also made for hunting, but they’re smaller and sharper than the first set.
- Most Cats Never Get Cavities, but That Doesn’t Mean They Don’t Suffer from Tooth Decay and Gingivitis — just like we do. If your cat is suffering from tooth decay or gingivitis, it may need to see its vet. The vet will be able to help your kitty get back on the road to good oral health.
- And yeah, cats can have cavities too, including gum disease and tooth decay from not brushing their teeth regularly (which is why it’s important to brush your cat’s teeth on a regular basis)!
- Cats do not have upper incisors on the top jaw; instead, they have a hard pad called an “Oral Facial Cleft” that acts like an upper canine tooth when it comes into contact with another surface or object during biting or chewing motions.
We hope you enjoyed our list of cat teeth facts! Cats are truly strange animals, and we love them for them. If you’re looking to learn more about cats’ name and their bodies, check out some of our other articles.
Top 42 Facts About Cats’ Habits That Most People Don’t Know
25 Amazing Facts About Cat Ears You Probably Didn’t Know
20 Facts About Catnip That’ll Blow Your Mind
FAQ-Cat Teeth Facts
1. What Are Cat Teeth Made of? The teeth of a cat are made up of enamel and dentin. The enamel is the hard outer layer that makes your teeth strong, while the dentin is a softer inner layer that allows your tooth to absorb shock or pressure.
2. What Age Do Cats’ Teeth Fall Out? The first set of teeth that cats have are their deciduous teeth. These can fall out as early as five weeks old or as late as 16 weeks old depending on the breed of cat. The second set of teeth cats have is called their permanent teeth, which come in around three months old.
3. Do Cats Have Strong Teeth? Yes, cats have strong teeth. Cats’ teeth are made up of the enamel and dentin mentioned above. The enamel is the hard outer layer that makes your teeth strong, while the dentin is a softer inner layer that allows your tooth to absorb shock or pressure.
4. How Sharp Are a Cat’s Teeth? Cats’ teeth have sharp points that can puncture the skin and cause bleeding. If your cat bites you, try not to pull away or jerk suddenly because this could cause their teeth to get stuck in your skin.
5. How Many Teeth Do Cats Have? Cats have 30 teeth, including four fangs (or canine teeth), and two large molars located in the back of their mouths. These canines are used for catching prey and also for defense against other animals.
6. Do Cats Need Their Teeth Trimmed? Cats do not need their teeth trimmed and it is not a common procedure. If you notice that your cat’s teeth are growing in an odd shape, or if they begin to protrude from the mouth, talk to your vet about how they can be corrected.
7. Do Cats Feel Better After Being Brushed? Cats do feel better after being brushed. Brushing your cat’s teeth helps remove plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing also helps cats get used to having their teeth handled, which will make it easier for you to take them in for professional cleaning at the vet office or dental clinic later on.
