By Dr Duncan Houston
A tiny tooth on the floor can be a normal part of kittenhood. A kitten refusing meals or struggling to close their mouth deserves a closer look.
Teething should be a manageable developmental stage. The aim is to keep chewing safe while recognising pain or abnormal tooth eruption early.
Quick Answer
Kittens develop 26 baby teeth, then replace them with 30 adult teeth, usually completing the adult set by about six to seven months. Mild gum tenderness and increased chewing can occur, but marked drooling, persistent bleeding or food refusal should not be dismissed as teething. If an adult tooth appears beside a baby tooth in the same position, arrange a prompt dental examination.
When do kittens get and lose teeth?
Baby teeth begin appearing at around three weeks and are generally present by six to eight weeks. Replacement starts during the following months; the exact timing varies. You may find a small hollow-looking baby tooth, but many are swallowed during ordinary eating and go unnoticed.
The important check is whether new teeth are erupting in a comfortable position, not whether your kitten meets a day-by-day timetable. VCA's veterinary dental guidance explains normal tooth replacement and persistent baby teeth.
Normal tenderness or a problem?
| What you notice | Interpretation | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| More chewing, mildly tender gums, normal appetite and play | Compatible with uncomplicated teething | Provide safe toys and check comfort at each meal. |
| A baby tooth remains beside its emerging adult replacement | Possible persistent tooth and crowding | Book a prompt examination; do not wait automatically for neutering. |
| Dropping food, marked drooling, bad breath with red swollen gums or reduced intake | Dental pain, inflammation or injury needs assessment | Contact your clinic the same day for advice. |
| Breathing difficulty, severe bleeding, major jaw injury or inability to swallow | Emergency, not routine teething | Seek immediate veterinary care. |
What else can cause mouth pain?
A broken tooth, mouth ulcer, string or another foreign object can make a kitten chew strangely or paw at their mouth. Gingivitis and other oral inflammation can also occur in young cats. Age alone does not make every mouth problem teething.
Cornell's dental-disease guidance describes how oral pain can affect eating and behaviour. Your vet checks gum health, tooth position, trauma and the tongue; some problems require a detailed examination and dental radiographs under anaesthesia.
When is this an emergency?
Go to an emergency clinic for difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding or suspected electrical-cord injury. Do not force open an injured jaw. If string is caught in the mouth or under the tongue, leave it in place and seek urgent care; pulling it may cause further injury.
A kitten that becomes weak or stops eating needs prompt attention. Do not use a 24-hour waiting rule: young kittens have less reserve than healthy adults, and poor intake may reflect more than sore gums. Cornell's appetite-loss advice highlights the greater risk in very young kittens.
How can you help a teething kitten safely?
- Make chewing safer. Put away cords, needles, elastic bands, ribbon and small objects. Offer intact toys suitable for kittens and supervise chewing; remove damaged pieces.
- Keep meals comfortable. Offer their familiar complete kitten food in a texture they manage. If softening dry food with water, prepare it fresh and discard leftovers promptly.
- Avoid hard or frozen objects. Bones, antlers and rock-hard chews can damage teeth. Do not encourage forceful tugging from a tender mouth.
- Check gently. If your kitten welcomes handling, briefly lift the lip to look at tooth position. Stop if they resist or appear painful.
- Arrange help when comfort changes. Record meal intake and take a clear photograph of a suspected doubled tooth if possible. Do not try to pull it out yourself.
What happens to a persistent baby tooth?
A baby tooth remaining as the adult replacement emerges can interfere with alignment and trap debris. Your vet decides whether extraction is needed and how soon. The roots can be delicate and sit near developing adult teeth, so this is an anaesthetised dental procedure, not a home removal job.
Common mistakes
- Giving human teething gels or painkillers. Some human medicines are highly toxic to cats.
- Calling every episode of food refusal normal.
- Pulling a loose-looking tooth or waiting months with obvious crowding.
- Brushing directly over painful erupting gums.
Build comfortable lifelong dental care
Introduce gentle lip handling with rewards before problems develop. Pause brushing over tender areas during active teething and resume progressively once comfortable, using feline toothpaste and your vet's advice. VCA's toothbrushing guidance describes gradual training rather than restraint and force.
Have the mouth checked at scheduled kitten visits, with an additional appointment for new concerns. Tooth eruption deserves an assessment on its own merits rather than being tied to a universal vaccine or neutering schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal not to find my kitten's baby teeth?
Yes. Baby teeth are small and often swallowed unnoticed during ordinary eating.
Can teething cause a little blood?
A tiny brief spot can occur as a tooth is lost. Repeated or substantial bleeding, swelling or obvious pain needs a veterinary check.
Why does my kitten have two fangs together?
The baby canine may remain while its adult replacement erupts. Arrange a prompt examination to prevent crowding or an uncomfortable bite.
When should all adult teeth be present?
Usually by around six to seven months. Missing, retained or poorly positioned teeth warrant assessment rather than simply waiting for a later age.
Normal teething should leave your kitten able to eat, play and grow. Safe chewing and early attention to uncomfortable or crowded teeth give them a better start.
For more help understanding kitten development and daily care, visit ASK A VET™. Contact your clinic directly for pain, poor intake or injury.
The ASK A VET™ Tracker logs live location and activity trends, so a change in routine never goes unnoticed.
Every ASK A VET article is written and reviewed by qualified veterinarians.
