How Many Teeth Do Cats Have, and What Are They Called?

By Dr Duncan Houston

Those little fangs are easy to spot when your cat yawns, but they are only part of the picture. Cats also have tiny front teeth and sharp cheek teeth, each with a different role.

Knowing their names and normal numbers can help you understand a dental report, follow your kitten’s development and notice when something needs checking.

Quick Answer

Adult cats normally have 30 permanent teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars and 4 molars. Kittens normally have 26 baby teeth and no baby molars. Most cats have their complete adult set by around six to seven months of age, although some have missing or extra teeth.

What are the four types of cat teeth?

An adult cat’s normal tooth count is divided between 16 upper teeth and 14 lower teeth.

Tooth type	Upper jaw	Lower jaw	Adult total	Location and main role
Incisors	6	6	12	Tiny teeth at the front, used for nibbling, picking up food and grooming.
Canines	2	2	4	Long, pointed fangs used for grasping and holding.
Premolars	6	4	10	Sharp teeth behind the canines that help cut and break food.
Molars	2	2	4	Teeth at the back; the lower molars form part of the main shearing pairs.
Total	16	14	30

The upper jaw has one more premolar on each side than the lower jaw. Cats’ cheek teeth are particularly suited to cutting and tearing food.

What is each individual tooth called?

On each side of the upper jaw, a cat normally has:

First, second and third incisors.
One canine.
Second, third and fourth premolars.
First molar.

On each side of the lower jaw, a cat normally has:

First, second and third incisors.
One canine.
Third and fourth premolars.
First molar.

The skipped premolar numbers are normal for cats. They do not mean your cat has lost those teeth.

A full tooth name includes its side and jaw, such as “left upper fourth premolar”. Right and left refer to the cat’s own sides.

What are carnassial teeth?

The upper fourth premolar and lower first molar form a shearing pair on each side of the mouth. These are called the carnassial teeth.

They help slice food as the jaws close. Cats have four carnassial teeth in total, arranged as two pairs.

They are already included in the premolar and molar counts. “Carnassial” is a name for these specialised teeth, not an extra set.

How many teeth do kittens have?

A kitten’s complete baby set contains:

12 incisors
4 canines
10 premolars
No molars

That makes 26 deciduous teeth, also called baby or milk teeth.

Four permanent molars appear as the mouth develops. These have no baby-tooth equivalents and account for the increase from 26 to 30.

When do kittens lose their baby teeth?

Baby teeth begin appearing at around two to four weeks of age. Kittens generally start replacing them at around three to four months, with most having their adult teeth by six to seven months.

You may find a tiny tooth on the floor, but kittens often swallow naturally shed baby teeth without a problem.

During this transition, your kitten will have a changing mixture of baby and adult teeth.

Why does my cat have fewer than 30 teeth?

Possible explanations include:

A tooth never developed.
A tooth developed but did not erupt.
Previous dental extractions.
Tooth loss caused by periodontal disease or injury.
Tooth resorption, which progressively destroys tooth structure.
A broken tooth with roots still beneath the gum.

A missing-looking tooth is not always completely absent. Your vet may recommend dental X-rays to check what remains below the gumline and whether treatment is needed.

Tooth resorption is especially important in cats

Tooth resorption can affect the roots, the visible crown or both. As the structure weakens, the crown may break away, leaving an apparent gap.

This can be painful, even when the cat continues eating. A quick look at the mouth cannot reliably establish how much of the tooth is affected.

Dental X-rays help your vet assess the roots and plan appropriate treatment. Do not assume that a tooth has harmlessly “dissolved” or that a gap means the problem has resolved.

What if my kitten has two fangs beside each other?

An adult canine may have erupted while the baby canine is still present. This is called a persistent deciduous tooth, often described as a retained baby tooth.

It can crowd the adult tooth, trap debris and alter the bite. A misplaced tooth may also press into the gums or roof of the mouth.

Arrange a vet appointment promptly if you notice an adult tooth growing beside its baby counterpart. Your vet can determine whether extraction is needed. Do not try to pull it yourself or wait months for a routine procedure without having it assessed.

Occasionally, cats have genuinely extra permanent teeth. Your vet can distinguish these from retained baby teeth and assess whether they are causing problems.

When should I contact a vet?

Arrange a dental check for an unexplained missing tooth, retained baby tooth, red gums, persistent bad breath or a change in chewing.

Signs of mouth pain can include dropping food, drooling, pawing at the mouth, jaw chattering or approaching food and then backing away. A cat that suddenly prefers soft food may also need a dental assessment.

Contact your vet the same day if your cat stops eating, has facial swelling or seems significantly painful. Be particularly prompt with a young kitten or a cat that is otherwise unwell.

Seek emergency care immediately for major mouth or jaw trauma, heavy bleeding or breathing difficulty.

Avoid forcing the mouth open to count teeth. A frightened or painful cat may bite, and a home inspection cannot replace a proper dental examination.

How can I look after my cat’s teeth?

Build a gentle daily brushing routine. Use toothpaste suitable for cats and a small, soft brush.
Introduce handling gradually. Start with brief, comfortable sessions and rewards.
Stop if the mouth seems painful. Arrange an assessment before continuing to brush sore or inflamed areas.
Keep up with veterinary dental checks. Ask your vet to assess your kitten’s tooth eruption and bite during growth.
Monitor eating behaviour. Changes in how your cat eats can matter even when they still finish their meals.

Brushing helps control plaque, but it does not replace professional assessment. A complete dental examination may require anaesthesia and intraoral X-rays to assess the teeth and their supporting structures.

Common mistakes to avoid

Counting only the fangs: most of the teeth are smaller or further back.
Assuming adult tooth loss is normal ageing: newly missing or loose teeth need checking.
Waiting until a cat stops eating: dental pain can be present much earlier.
Using human toothpaste: choose a product suitable for cats.
Treating a full set as proof of health: all 30 teeth can be present while dental disease develops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cats grow new teeth after losing their adult teeth?

No. Cats normally have two sets: baby teeth followed by permanent teeth. A lost adult tooth does not grow back.

Can my cat still eat normally with painful teeth?

Yes. Cats may continue eating despite significant dental disease. Watch for subtle changes such as dropping food, chewing on one side or choosing softer textures. A normal appetite does not rule out tooth pain.

What do numbers such as 108 or 309 mean on a dental report?

These come from the modified Triadan system, which identifies individual teeth. In a cat, 108 is the permanent right upper fourth premolar, and 309 is the permanent left lower first molar. Both are carnassial teeth.

Knowing your cat’s tooth count makes dental conversations easier, but comfort and healthy gums matter more than the number alone. If you are unsure about a missing tooth, your kitten’s developing mouth or the wording on a dental report, ASK A VET™ can help you understand what to ask your treating vet.