Do Kittens Lose Their Teeth? Kitten Teething Timeline
By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD ·
Yes, kittens lose their teeth. Like people, cats grow a set of baby teeth that fall out and a set of permanent teeth that take their place [1]. This process usually starts around 2 to 4 weeks of age and finishes near 7 months, though the exact timing varies from kitten to kitten [1].
This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.
Quick Answer
- Kittens have 26 baby teeth and 30 adult teeth, so the adult set is larger than the one it replaces [1].
- Baby incisors start coming in at 2 to 4 weeks of age, and baby premolars at 5 to 6 weeks [1].
- Adult teeth usually begin appearing around 4 to 7 months of age [1].
- Losing baby teeth is normal and expected. Finding a tiny tooth on the floor or in bedding is not a problem.
- A baby tooth that stays in place while the adult tooth comes in next to it is a problem. That needs a veterinary exam.
Do Kittens Lose Their Teeth? The Normal Timeline
Kitten teething happens in two phases. First the baby teeth come in. Then they fall out as adult teeth push through.
Phase 1: Baby Teeth Arrive (2 to 6 Weeks)
Most kittens are born with no teeth at all. The baby incisors, the small front teeth, begin to erupt at 2 to 4 weeks of age [1]. The baby premolars follow at 5 to 6 weeks [1]. By about 6 to 8 weeks, a kitten usually has a full set of 26 deciduous teeth [1].
This is the age when many kittens are still with their mother or in a foster home. You may notice your kitten chewing on everything, drooling a little, or acting fussy while nursing. That is normal.
Phase 2: Baby Teeth Fall Out (3 to 7 Months)
This is the phase most owners mean when they ask when do cats lose their kitten teeth. The baby teeth loosen and drop out as the permanent teeth grow underneath and push them aside. Permanent teeth usually begin to appear at around 4 to 7 months [1].
The order is fairly predictable. The incisors and canines tend to change first, followed by the premolars and molars. By the time your kitten is about 7 months old, the full adult set of 30 teeth should be in place [1].
What Shedding Teeth Looks Like
Most owners never see a fallen baby tooth. Kittens often swallow them while eating, or the teeth get lost in carpet and bedding. If you do find one, it will be small, thin, and slightly hollow-looking at the root. That is normal.
You may also notice:
- A little blood on a chew toy or in the water bowl
- Mild drooling
- Chewing on furniture, cords, or fingers
- Slightly pink or tender gums
- A gap where a tooth used to be
These signs are usually harmless and pass on their own.
The Adult Teeth
Adult cats have 30 permanent teeth [1]. That is four more than the baby set. The extra teeth are the adult premolars and molars that need more room for a meat-based diet.
Signs Owners Notice During Kitten Teething
Teething kittens often act like teething puppies. They want to chew. They may nip more than usual. Some kittens go off their food for a day or two, especially if a tooth is loose and the gums feel sore.
Other common signs include:
- Bad breath that comes and goes
- Red or swollen gums
- Dropping food while eating
- Pawing at the mouth
- Reluctance to eat hard kibble
Most of these signs are mild and short-lived. If your kitten stops eating for more than a day, seems painful, or has swelling around the jaw, call your veterinarian.
When Do Cats Lose Their Kitten Teeth? A Quick Reference Table
| Age | What Is Happening |
|---|---|
| Birth to 2 weeks | No teeth |
| 2 to 4 weeks | Baby incisors erupt [1] |
| 5 to 6 weeks | Baby premolars erupt [1] |
| 6 to 8 weeks | Full set of 26 baby teeth |
| 3 to 5 months | Baby teeth start loosening and falling out |
| 4 to 7 months | Adult teeth appear [1] |
| 7 months and older | Full set of 30 adult teeth expected [1] |
Is It Normal for Kittens to Lose Teeth?
Yes, it is normal. Losing baby teeth is part of healthy growth. The trouble starts when a baby tooth does not fall out on schedule.
Persistent Deciduous Teeth
A persistent deciduous tooth is a baby tooth that stays in the mouth while the adult tooth erupts beside it. This is one of the most common reasons deciduous canine teeth get extracted in dogs and cats [2]. In one review of 305 deciduous canine extractions, 178 (58.4%) were done because the baby tooth was persistent [2].
Persistent teeth cause crowding. Crowded teeth trap food and plaque, which raises the risk of gum disease later. They can also push adult teeth out of alignment.
Other Dental Problems in Cats
Kitten teething is not the only dental issue cats face. Adult cats can develop tooth resorption, a painful condition where the tooth structure breaks down. In a study of 174 cats with dental problems, tooth resorption became more severe with age [3]. Lesions were most common on certain premolars and molars [3].
Periodontal disease is also common. In a group of 34 free-roaming cats, periodontal disease was present in 6 cats (17.6%) [4]. Signs of periodontal disease appeared in 31.6% of teeth examined [4]. That study looked at free-roaming cats, but the message applies to pets too. Dental disease is common and often hidden.
Some cats have a condition called patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome, also known as knees and teeth syndrome. Cats with this syndrome often have multiple persistent deciduous teeth, gingivitis, and jaw swelling [5]. This is rare, but it is one reason a veterinarian may want to look closely at a kitten with several retained baby teeth.
Causes and Risk Factors for Dental Problems in Kittens
Most teething is normal. The main risk factors for problems are:
- Genetics. Some cats inherit a tendency to retain baby teeth or have malocclusion (a bad bite).
- Breed. Purebred cats may have a higher risk of certain dental conditions, though tooth resorption severity did not differ by breed in one study [3].
- Age. Dental disease becomes more common as cats get older [4][3].
- Home care. Cats that never get their teeth brushed build up plaque faster.
- Diet. Hard food alone does not clean teeth. Chewing on appropriate toys and dental treats can help.
If your kitten has several retained baby teeth, your veterinarian may recommend screening for underlying syndromes [5].
How Veterinarians Diagnose Kitten Dental Problems
A routine exam is the first step. Your veterinarian will lift your kitten's lips and look at every tooth. They will check for:
- Baby teeth that should have fallen out
- Adult teeth coming in at odd angles
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Broken teeth
- Jaw swelling
If something looks wrong, the next step is often dental radiographs (X-rays). Radiographs show teeth below the gumline, roots, and unerupted adult teeth. In one case series, skull and dental radiographs revealed root resorption, root malformation, and unerupted permanent teeth in cats with jaw abnormalities [5].
Radiographs are also needed to find tooth resorption. Probing alone can miss lesions, so careful intraoral radiographic examination is essential to avoid false negative results [3].
Treatment Options for Retained Baby Teeth
If a baby tooth is still in place when the adult tooth has come in, extraction is usually the answer. Your veterinarian will decide the best technique based on the tooth and your cat's health.
A recent study compared two extraction methods for deciduous canine teeth in dogs and cats. Closed extraction took less surgical time than open extraction without increasing complications [2]. That is useful information for your veterinarian, but the choice depends on the individual tooth.
Other treatments may include:
- Dental cleaning under anesthesia to remove plaque and tartar
- Extraction of retained roots if a baby tooth broke off and left a piece behind [2]
- Orthodontic assessment if the bite is abnormal
Your veterinarian calculates any medication dose from your cat's weight and health. Never give human pain relievers to a cat. Some are toxic.
Recovery, Outlook, and Long-Term Management
After a simple extraction, most kittens recover quickly. Soft food for a few days and a recheck exam are common. Your veterinarian will tell you what to expect.
Long term, the goal is a healthy adult mouth. That means:
- Brushing your cat's teeth with pet-safe toothpaste
- Routine veterinary dental exams
- Professional cleanings when needed
- Watching for signs of pain or trouble eating
Good home care pays off. Learn more in Prevent Dental Problems In Cats and How To Prevent Dental Problems In Cats.
If your cat is losing weight or dropping food, dental pain could be the cause. See Why Is My Cat Losing Weight? for related signs.
Prevention of Kitten Dental Problems
You cannot stop a kitten from losing baby teeth. That is supposed to happen. You can lower the odds of problems later.
- Start brushing early. Get your kitten used to a finger brush and pet toothpaste at 8 to 12 weeks.
- Schedule a dental check. Ask your veterinarian to check the bite and count teeth at the 4 to 6 month visit.
- Spay or neuter on time. Many clinics check teeth during the spay procedure. See the Kitten Spay Timeline for timing.
- Offer safe chew toys. Avoid hard objects that can fracture teeth.
- Watch for retained teeth. If a baby tooth is still there at 7 months, book an exam.
- Keep up with wellness visits. Dental problems are easier to treat when caught early.
Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian
This article covers normal kitten teething. It cannot tell you whether your specific kitten has a problem. Individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine the mouth and take radiographs if needed.
Contact your veterinarian the same day if you notice:
- A baby tooth still in place next to an adult tooth
- A broken tooth with a pink or red center
- Swelling around the jaw or under the eye
- Drooling that will not stop
- Refusing to eat for more than 24 hours
- Bleeding from the mouth that does not stop
Go to an emergency clinic now if your kitten has:
- Trouble breathing
- A swollen face or neck that is getting worse fast
- Severe pain when the mouth is touched
- Collapse or extreme weakness
Call for a routine visit if you see:
- Bad breath that lasts more than a few days
- Tartar buildup
- Red gums
- A tooth that looks discolored
Frequently Asked Questions
Do kittens teeth fall out on their own?
Yes, baby teeth usually loosen and fall out on their own as adult teeth push through. Most kittens swallow the tiny teeth, so you may never see them. If a baby tooth is still firmly in place after the adult tooth appears, your veterinarian may need to remove it.
Is it normal for kittens to lose teeth at 4 months?
Yes, 4 months is a common age for baby teeth to start falling out. Adult teeth usually begin to appear around 4 to 7 months [1]. Some kittens start a little earlier and some a little later. Both can be normal.
How many teeth do kittens lose?
Kittens lose all 26 of their baby teeth [1]. They are replaced by 30 adult teeth [1]. The extra four teeth are permanent premolars and molars that come in as the jaw grows.
Can a kitten lose a tooth from playing too rough?
Yes, trauma can knock out a tooth. A tooth lost to injury is different from a baby tooth shedding on schedule. If a tooth comes out with bleeding, a broken root, or pain, call your veterinarian. Do not try to put it back yourself.
What should I feed a teething kitten?
Offer soft food or moistened kibble if your kitten seems sore. Most kittens eat normally through teething. If your kitten refuses food for more than a day, or cries while eating, see your veterinarian.
Related Articles
- Kitten Spay Timeline
- Why Is My Cat Losing Weight?
- Why Is My Cat Losing Hair?
- Prevent Dental Problems In Cats
- How To Prevent Dental Problems In Cats
- Why Is My Cat Not Eating? A Vet-Reviewed Guide for Pet Owners
References
- Dental Development of Cats - Cat Owners. Merck Veterinary Manual.
- Closed Extraction of Deciduous Canine Teeth Required Less Surgical Time Without Increased Complication Rate Compared to an Open Technique in Dogs and Cats. Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2026.
- Feline Tooth Resorption: A Description of the Severity of the Disease in Regard to Animal's Age, Sex, Breed and Clinical Presentation. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2023.
- Oral Disease and Microbiota in Free-Roaming Cats. Topics in companion animal medicine, 2017.
- Skull pathology in 10 cats with patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome. Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2019.