# How Many Teeth Do Cats Have? Feline Dental Guide

An adult cat has 30 permanent teeth, and a kitten has 26 deciduous (baby) teeth. The permanent dental formula for the cat is 2 x (I3/3, C1/1, P3/2, M1/1), which means three incisors, one canine, three premolars, and one molar on each side of the upper jaw, and three incisors, one canine, two premolars, and one molar on each side of the lower jaw.

That formula is the fastest way to answer the question "how many teeth do cats have" without counting in a squirming patient. Multiply the upper and lower counts on one side by two, and you get 30. The deciduous set follows a different pattern and totals 26, which is why a kitten's mouth and an adult cat's mouth look and feel different during the first year of life.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

## The Direct Answer: 26 Deciduous Teeth, 30 Permanent Teeth

Cats are diphyodont animals, meaning they grow two successive sets of teeth in a lifetime. The first set, the deciduous or primary dentition, is fully present by about 6 to 8 weeks of age and numbers 26. The second set, the permanent or adult dentition, replaces the deciduous teeth in a staged process that finishes around 5 to 7 months of age and numbers 30.

The difference between 26 and 30 is not random. It reflects which teeth are replaced and which are added. All of the incisors, canines, and premolars have deciduous predecessors. The molars do not. Molars erupt only once, as permanent teeth, and they are the teeth added at the back of the mouth during the transition from the deciduous to the permanent set.

A useful way to picture the feline mouth is to divide it into four quadrants: upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left. Each quadrant carries a fixed number of each tooth type, and the dental formula is simply a shorthand for that per-quadrant count.

## Reading the Feline Dental Formula

The formula 2 x (I3/3, C1/1, P3/2, M1/1) uses standard letters and fractions. The letter identifies the tooth type, the number above the line is the count in one upper quadrant, and the number below the line is the count in one lower quadrant. The leading "2 x" accounts for both the left and right sides of the mouth.

- **I (incisors):** 3 upper and 3 lower per side. These are the small, chisel-shaped teeth at the front of the mouth used for grooming and nibbling.
- **C (canines):** 1 upper and 1 lower per side. These are the long, curved fangs used for grasping prey and for defense.
- **P (premolars):** 3 upper and 2 lower per side. These are the shearing and holding teeth behind the canines.
- **M (molars):** 1 upper and 1 lower per side. These are the most caudal (rearward) teeth, used for crushing and shearing.

Adding one side gives 8 upper teeth and 7 lower teeth, for 15 teeth on one side. Doubling that yields 30 permanent teeth.

### Why Cats Have No Upper First Premolar

A common point of confusion is the missing upper first premolar. In the cat, the upper first premolar is absent, so the upper premolar count is three rather than four. The lower jaw is even more reduced: cats have no lower first or second premolar, leaving only two lower premolars per side.

This pattern is one of the clearest anatomical differences between cats and dogs. Dogs retain a fuller premolar series, including the upper first premolar and additional lower premolars, which is part of why dogs have more teeth overall. The feline dentition is more specialized and more compact, consistent with a carnivorous diet that relies on shearing rather than grinding.

### The Deciduous Formula

The deciduous dentition is smaller and simpler. Kittens have deciduous incisors, canines, and premolars, but no deciduous molars. The deciduous set totals 26 teeth. The deciduous teeth are thinner, more sharply pointed, and more fragile than their permanent replacements, which is why they can fracture or be retained if eruption goes wrong.

## Table: Feline Tooth Types, Counts, and Eruption Timing

| Tooth type | Deciduous count (whole mouth) | Permanent count (whole mouth) | Typical eruption age |
|--|--|--|--|--|
| Incisors | 12 | 12 | Deciduous by 6 to 8 weeks. Permanent from 3 to 5 months |
| Canines | 4 | 4 | Deciduous by 6 to 8 weeks. Permanent from 3 to 5 months |
| Premolars | 10 | 10 | Deciduous by 6 to 8 weeks. Permanent by 5 to 7 months |
| Molars | 0 | 4 | Permanent by 5 to 7 months |
| **Total** | **26** | **30** | Deciduous complete by 6 to 8 weeks. Permanent complete by 5 to 7 months |

The deciduous premolar count is 10 because kittens have three upper and two lower premolars per side, matching the permanent premolar positions. The molars are the only teeth with no deciduous counterpart.

## Eruption Timeline in Detail

The transition from deciduous to permanent teeth is called the dentition transition, and it happens in a predictable sequence. Understanding the timing helps owners and clinicians recognize what is normal and what needs attention.

### Deciduous Dentition: Birth to 8 Weeks

Kittens are born without visible teeth. Deciduous incisors and canines begin erupting in the first few weeks, and by 6 to 8 weeks the full deciduous set of 26 teeth is present. This is the age when many kittens are adopted, so a thorough oral examination at the first veterinary visit is a good baseline.

During deciduous dentition, the periodontal ligament, the tissue that anchors the tooth to bone, has a distinctive nerve fiber distribution. Research in cats shows that during deciduous dentition, periodontal nerve fibers are concentrated at the apical portion of the tooth and sparsely distributed in the periodontal ligament of deciduous molars [1]. This anatomical arrangement changes as the permanent teeth develop.

### Mixed Dentition: 3 to 7 Months

The mixed dentition stage is when deciduous and permanent teeth coexist. Permanent incisors and canines erupt from about 3 to 5 months of age. Premolars and molars erupt by 5 to 7 months. During this window, it is normal to see a deciduous tooth sitting next to its permanent successor.

The periodontal nerve fiber pattern also shifts during this stage. As deciduous molars resorb, their periodontal nerve fibers show degenerative profiles, and the permanent premolars that succeed them develop an increased number of nerve fibers [1]. Permanent molars, which have no deciduous predecessors, follow a similar increase in innervation as they erupt.

### Permanent Dentition: 7 Months Onward

By 7 months, most cats have their full complement of 30 permanent teeth. From this point, the dentition is stable unless disease, trauma, or extraction changes it. The permanent teeth are larger, more deeply rooted, and more heavily mineralized than the deciduous set.

## How Feline Teeth Are Anchored and Sensed

Teeth are not inert pegs in the jaw. Each tooth sits in a socket (alveolus) and is held by the periodontal ligament, a thin layer of connective tissue between the tooth root and the alveolar bone. The periodontal ligament contains sensory nerve fibers that detect pressure and position, which is how a cat knows how hard it is biting.

The pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth, is richly innervated. A quantitative study of the cat's canine tooth pulp counted 3,470 fibers in one complete cross-section, with 81 percent of them unmyelinated and a modal diameter of 0.35 micron for unmyelinated fibers and 2.5 micron for myelinated fibers [2]. This dense innervation is why dental pain in cats can be severe and why tooth resorption and fractures are clinically significant.

The nerve supply to the pulp also changes during tooth succession. In cats younger than about 14 weeks, the permanent canine is too poorly developed for reliable electrode placement, but by 14 to 23 weeks, compound action potentials can be recorded in one canine during stimulation of the other, indicating that some nerves supplying the deciduous tooth are retained to supply its permanent successor [3]. This branching helps explain why the transition from deciduous to permanent teeth is not simply a matter of one set being discarded and another growing in.

## Why the Count Matters in Clinical Practice

Knowing that a cat should have 30 permanent teeth gives the clinician a checklist. Every oral examination should account for each tooth or document why it is missing. Missing teeth and extra teeth are both clinically meaningful.

### Retained Deciduous Teeth

A retained deciduous tooth is a baby tooth that has not fallen out when the permanent tooth erupts. This is a common finding on oral examination in cats. The persistent deciduous tooth can force the permanent tooth into an abnormal position, trap food and plaque, and contribute to periodontal disease.

Retained deciduous teeth are a hallmark of patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome (PADS), a congenital bone disease of cats. In a case series of 13 cats with PADS, all cats had multiple persistent deciduous teeth and multiple impacted permanent teeth, although the number of each varied [4]. Another study of 10 cats with PADS found multiple persistent deciduous teeth, gingivitis, and jaw swellings, along with radiographic findings of hypodontia, root resorption, root malformation, and unerupted permanent teeth [5]. These findings show that retained deciduous teeth can be a marker for a broader skeletal condition, not just a local dental problem.

### Missing Teeth (Hypodontia and Oligodontia)

Hypodontia means fewer teeth than normal. Oligodontia means a more severe reduction in tooth number. Anodontia means complete absence of teeth. These are uncommon but well documented.

A case report described a cat with congenital oligodontia of the deciduous teeth and anodontia of the permanent teeth. The cat had only two deciduous upper canines, and no permanent teeth ever erupted. Post-mortem evaluation confirmed complete absence of teeth in the oral cavity, with histopathological analysis showing absence of odontogenic epithelium and no inflammatory cells or odontoclastic resorptive lesions [6]. This case illustrates that missing teeth can reflect a developmental failure of the tooth-forming tissues rather than tooth loss from disease.

In PADS, hypodontia and unerupted permanent teeth are part of the syndrome [5]. When a clinician finds missing teeth, the differential list includes congenital absence, failed eruption, prior extraction, trauma, and disease-related tooth loss.

### Tooth Resorption

Tooth resorption is the progressive destruction of hard dental tissues and is a major cause of tooth loss in cats. A retrospective case-control study from a Spanish university hospital found tooth resorption in 130 of 870 teeth examined (14.9 percent), with type 1 resorption (highly related to inflammation and periodontal disease) being the most frequently observed type [7]. The study also found that increasing creatinine values and decreasing BUN/CREA and albumin/globulin ratios were associated with tooth resorption presence, and increasing globulin was associated with increasing severity [7].

Tooth resorption can make a tooth look like it is missing or broken. Radiography is often needed to determine whether a tooth root is still present beneath the gum line.

## Periodontal Disease and the Bacterial Connection

Periodontal disease is one of the most common conditions affecting feline teeth. The gingival margin, where the gum meets the tooth, is the site where bacterial plaque accumulates and drives inflammation.

A study of 40 domestic cats with different grades of periodontal disease used DNA probes to identify three feline Porphyromonas species: P. gingivalis, P. circumdentaria, and P. salivosa. At the right upper canine tooth, at least one of the three species was isolated in 38 of 40 cats. The colony-forming units of total Porphyromonas species were a highly significant indicator of periodontal disease grade (p < 0.001, R2 0.510), and P. gingivalis was isolated from 37 of 40 cats and was a highly significant predictor of disease grade (p < 0.001, R2 0.561) [8]. These findings support the role of specific anaerobic bacteria in feline periodontal disease and reinforce why daily plaque control and professional dental care matter.

## Imaging the Feline Dentition

Dental radiography is the standard tool for evaluating tooth roots, alveolar bone, and unerupted teeth. A 2024 study compared conventional intraoral dental radiography with digital tomosynthesis (DT), a three-dimensional imaging method, in 16 feline cadaver heads. DT demonstrated a significantly higher diagnostic yield than dental radiography for all 19 predefined anatomic structures evaluated, and orthogonal DT imaging identified 13 additional anatomic landmarks compared with a standard 10-view feline dental radiography set [9]. This technology is still developing, but it points toward better visualization of dentoalveolar and maxillofacial lesions in cats.

Computed tomography is also used to map clinically relevant anatomy. A retrospective study of 41 cats and 193 dogs used CT to measure distances such as the apices of the maxillary fourth premolar tooth to the globe in cats, providing reference values to help clinicians avoid ocular trauma during dental nerve blocks and extractions [10]. These measurements matter because the roots of the upper premolars and molars sit close to the orbit and other vital structures.

## What Owners Should Watch For

Owners do not need to memorize the dental formula, but they should recognize signs that something is wrong in the mouth.

- **Bad breath** that persists despite normal grooming.
- **Drooling** or dropping food while eating.
- **Chewing on one side** or avoiding hard food.
- **Pawing at the mouth** or facial rubbing.
- **Swelling** around the jaw or under the eye.
- **Loose teeth** or teeth that look doubled (a retained deciduous tooth next to a permanent tooth).
- **Gingivitis**, visible as a red line along the gum margin.

Kittens should have their mouths checked at vaccination visits, and adult cats should have an oral examination at least annually. According to the AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, regular professional dental evaluation and home care are core components of preventive health care. A veterinarian can determine whether a missing tooth is a normal variant, a congenital absence, or a sign of disease.

## Clinical Relevance, Limitations and Common Mistakes

The clinical relevance of the feline tooth count is straightforward: 30 permanent teeth is the reference standard, and any deviation should be explained. A retained deciduous tooth, a missing tooth, or an extra tooth all warrant documentation and, in many cases, radiography.

Common mistakes include assuming a kitten with a full mouth of teeth is finished teething (it is not, since the permanent set is still developing), assuming a missing tooth is not a problem (it can indicate congenital disease, failed eruption, or resorption), and assuming that a retained deciduous tooth will fall out on its own (it often does not, and it can damage the permanent tooth).

Limitations exist. Tooth counts vary with individual anatomy, and some cats have supernumerary teeth or congenital absence. Imaging findings can overlap with neoplasia, as noted in the PADS skull pathology study where lesions had an aggressive radiographic appearance [5]. Tooth resorption prevalence varies by population, age, and country [7]. Every cat is an individual, and an oral examination by a veterinarian is the only way to determine what is normal for a specific patient.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How many teeth does a cat have?

An adult cat has 30 permanent teeth. A kitten has 26 deciduous teeth.

### How many teeth do cats have compared to dogs?

Cats have 30 permanent teeth, while dogs have 42. Cats have fewer premolars and molars, including no upper first premolar and no lower first or second premolar.

### When do kittens lose their baby teeth?

Kittens begin losing deciduous teeth around 3 to 5 months of age as permanent incisors and canines erupt. Premolars and molars erupt by 5 to 7 months.

### Do cats have molars?

Yes. Cats have one upper and one lower molar per side, for a total of four permanent molars. There are no deciduous molars.

### What is a retained deciduous tooth?

A retained deciduous tooth is a baby tooth that remains in the mouth after the permanent tooth erupts. It is a common finding and can predispose to periodontal disease.

### Can a cat be born without teeth?

Yes, though it is rare. A case report documented a cat with congenital oligodontia of the deciduous teeth and complete anodontia of the permanent teeth [6].

### How can I tell if my cat is missing teeth?

A veterinarian can count teeth during an oral examination and use dental radiography to check for roots that remain beneath the gum. Missing teeth may be congenital, unerupted, extracted, or lost to disease.

### Is it normal for a cat to have extra teeth?

Extra teeth (supernumerary teeth) can occur, but they are not the norm. A veterinarian should evaluate any extra tooth for crowding, malocclusion, or associated pathology.

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## Sources

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2. [A quantitative analysis of the innervation of the pulp of the cat's canine tooth.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/649782/)
3. [Innervation of the dental pulp during tooth succession in the cat.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3756518/)
4. [Characterization of Oral Pathology in Cats Affected by Patellar Fracture and Dental Anomaly Syndrome (PADS).](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37248965/)
5. [Skull pathology in 10 cats with patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30196748/)
6. [Congenital oligodontia of the deciduous teeth and anodontia of the permanent teeth in a cat.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18835802/)
7. [Blood Parameters and Feline Tooth Resorption: A Retrospective Case Control Study from a Spanish University Hospital.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34359253/)
8. [Associations amongst three feline Porphyromonas species from the gingival margin of cats during periodontal health and disease.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10189194/)
9. [Diagnostic yield of dental radiography and digital tomosynthesis for the identification of anatomic structures in cats.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38756522/)
10. [Retrospective study of clinically relevant maxillary and mandibular anatomy in all skull types of dogs and cats.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41357756/)