22 Nov Do puppies and kittens need the tooth fairy?
Like people, dogs and cats have diphydont dentition, which means they have two sets of teeth in their lifetime – first, they have deciduous teeth, also known as “baby teeth”, which are then replaced with their permanent adult dentition.
Dogs have 42 permanent teeth – 12 incisors (6 on the top, 6 on the bottom), 4 canines (1 on each side on both the top and bottom),16 premolars (4 on each side on the top and bottom), and 10 molars (2 on each side on the top and 3 on each side on the bottom).
Adult cats only have 30 teeth – 12 incisors (6 on the top, 6 on the bottom), 4 canines (1 on each side on both the top and bottom), 10 premolars (3 on the top on each side and 2 on the bottom on each side) and 4 molars (1 on each side on both the top and the bottom).
Puppies and kittens have fewer teeth than their adult counterparts. Puppies and kittens still have 12 incisors and 4 canines. Puppies have 12 premolars (3 on each side on both the top and bottom), and kittens have 10 premolars (3 on each side on the top, 2 on each side on the bottom). Neither puppies nor kittens have molar teeth.
Are puppies and kittens born with teeth?
Puppies and kittens are usually not born with teeth. Their deciduous (baby) teeth typically start to erupt around 2-4 weeks old.
When do puppies and kittens lose their baby teeth and start erupting their adult teeth?
Baby teeth will start to fall out around 2-3 months of age. Adult teeth should be erupted by 6-7 months of age.
What will I see when my puppy or kitten is teething?
Puppies and kittens who are teething will show similar signs to a child who is losing their teeth. These include sore, red gums, sometimes accompanied by mild bleeding, irritability, or changes in appetite. Puppies and kittens may also engage in excessive chewing behavior or paw at their mouths. You may find baby teeth on the floor where your pet likes to hang out, or they may swallow and pass the tooth in their feces. This is perfectly fine and will not cause any problems for their health.
What can I do to help my pet while they’re teething?
You can help by providing your pet with appropriate chewing toys. Toys should be flexible enough to indent with your thumbnail or slightly bend, or they may be hard enough to break teeth. Some people also freeze a damp face cloth for their puppy to chew, as the cool fabric can feel good on their sore gums.
Do I need to take my puppy or kitten to the vet if they’re teething?
Teething in and of itself is not a reason to take your pet to the vet, but there are certain conditions or complications that would warrant veterinary attention. If you notice that your pet has a fractured baby tooth, they should see a veterinarian. It is also important to have your dog or cat examined by a veterinarian between 6-7 months of age to evaluate their mouth. This is to make sure that all of their permanent teeth are present and erupting normally and in the right position and to ensure that all of their baby teeth have fallen out when they’re supposed to.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/22/2024) Image by Adam from Pixabay