My cat Oliver stopped eating his favorite crunchy treats last month. He’d pick one up, drop it, then walk away looking frustrated. Turns out, he had a cracked tooth I never noticed. That vet visit taught me something important—I knew nothing about cat teeth. curious about how many teeth do cats have.
Here’s the straightforward answer: adult cats have 30 teeth. But knowing that number isn’t enough. Understanding how those teeth work and what can go wrong makes the real difference in keeping your cat healthy and pain-free.
How Many Teeth Do Adult Cats Have?
Adult cats have 30 permanent teeth once they’re fully grown around 6-7 months old. Compare that to humans with 32 teeth or dogs with up to 42, and you’ll notice cats have fewer. Why? Because they’re carnivores built for eating meat.
These 30 teeth break down into four types, each doing a specific job:
| Tooth Type | Upper | Lower | Total | Main Function |
| Incisors | 6 | 6 | 12 | Grooming, nibbling |
| Canines | 2 | 2 | 4 | Grabbing, tearing |
| Premolars | 6 | 4 | 10 | Cutting, shearing |
| Molars | 2 | 2 | 4 | Crushing, grinding |
Unlike rodents whose teeth keep growing, your cat gets one adult set. That’s it. No replacements, which makes dental care crucial from day one.
What Do Different Cat Teeth Actually Do?
The Tiny Front Teeth: Incisors
Those little teeth at the front of the mouth are incisors. You’ve got 12 of them total—6 on top, 6 on bottom. Watch your cat groom and you’ll see these tiny teeth in action. They work like tweezers for cleaning fur and picking up small food pieces.
The Famous Fangs: Canine Teeth
Here come the show-stoppers. Those four long, sharp canines make cats look dangerous for good reason. Two sit on top, two on the bottom, and they can grow up to an inch long.
Wild cats use canines to grab prey and deliver killing bites. Your house cat uses them to tear into food and carry toys around. Ever notice your cat tilting their head while eating? They’re positioning food between their canines and premolars for the best grip.
The Cutting Tools: Premolars
Behind those canines sit 10 premolars—6 up top, 4 on the bottom. Think of these as your cat’s scissors. They shear meat into chunks small enough to swallow. These handle most of the heavy lifting during meals.
The Back Crushers: Molars
Way back in your cat’s mouth sit 4 molars—2 on top, 2 on bottom. Cats don’t need extensive grinding capability like dogs do. The back of the mouth gets less action in domestic cats, but healthy molars still matter since dental disease often starts back here.
Do Cats Have Baby Teeth?
Yes! Kittens start life with 26 baby teeth, also called deciduous teeth. These sharp little needles appear around 2-4 weeks old. By 12 weeks, all 26 baby teeth are present.
Then something interesting happens between 3-6 months. Those baby teeth begin to fall out as adult teeth push through. You might find tiny teeth around your home, but most likely you won’t. Cats usually swallow them, which is completely normal.
The kitten teeth timeline:
- Birth to Week 2: No teeth, just gums
- Week 2-4: First baby teeth appear
- Week 8-12: Full set of 26 baby teeth present
- Month 3-6: Baby teeth fall out, adult teeth come in
- Month 6-7: All 30 adult teeth in place
Signs Your Kitten Is Teething
Teething kittens act differently. You’ll notice increased chewing on everything, more drooling, crankiness, and red gums. This phase passes quickly. Offer soft chew toys and be patient.
Common Dental Problems Every Cat Owner Needs to Know
Here’s the tough truth—about 70% of cats develop dental disease by age 3. Most owners don’t realize it until the problem is severe.
Periodontal Disease: The Silent Killer
This starts innocently. Food particles stick to teeth. Bacteria form plaque. Plaque hardens into tartar. Tartar irritates gums, causing gingivitis.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away
- Red or bleeding gums
- Yellow-brown tartar buildup
- Difficulty eating hard food
- Pawing at the mouth
- Excessive drooling
Periodontal disease doesn’t just affect the mouth. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream and damage the heart, kidneys, and liver.
Tooth Resorption
This painful problem attacks several teeth at once. The tooth structure breaks down from the inside, creating cavities near the gum line. It’s extremely common in older cats.
Your cat might chatter their jaw while eating or suddenly prefer wet food over dry. These are red flags that need immediate veterinary attention.
Other Issues That Need Attention
Missing teeth can result from trauma or disease. A broken canine needs immediate care. Stomatitis causes severe inflammation throughout the cat’s mouth. Some kittens keep baby teeth that should have fallen out, which crowd the mouth and trap food.
How to Keep Your Cat’s Teeth Healthy
Prevention beats treatment every single time. Here’s what actually works for maintaining your cat’s overall health.
Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth
This is the gold standard for dental care. Daily brushing prevents most dental disease. The challenge? Most cats hate it.
Start when they’re young if possible. Use cat-specific toothpaste—human toothpaste is toxic to cats. Begin by touching their mouth during regular petting sessions. Progress slowly to lifting their lips, then actual brushing.
Even brushing 2-3 times per week helps significantly. Some brushing beats no brushing.
What About Diet?
The dry food versus wet food debate continues. Dry kibble provides minimal mechanical cleaning, but it’s not enough alone. Wet food won’t ruin teeth if you brush regularly.
Look for foods with the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal. These products meet standards for reducing plaque and tartar. Dental treats help too, but some are just candy for cats.
Professional Cleanings Save Lives
Most cats need professional veterinary dental cleanings every 1-2 years. Yes, it requires anesthesia. Yes, it costs money. But it’s not optional.
During cleaning, your veterinarian examines every tooth, takes dental x-rays, removes tartar, polishes teeth, and treats problems. This catches issues before they become emergencies. Modern veterinary anesthesia is remarkably safe.
Warning Signs That Demand Immediate Action
Some symptoms can’t wait. Contact your veterinarian right away if you see:
- Blood in saliva or on toys
- Swelling on face or jaw
- Sudden refusal to eat
- Extreme drooling
- Obvious pain when touching the face
Cats hide pain incredibly well. By the time you notice something’s wrong, the problem is often advanced.
Simple Weekly Dental Checkups at Home
Make this a habit. Once a week, examine their teeth and gums. Gently lift your cat’s lip and look inside. Check for red gums, tartar buildup, or broken teeth.
Smell their breath. Mild odor is normal, but foul breath indicates problems. Watch how they eat—head tilting, dropping food, or avoiding hard kibble all signal dental issues. This two-minute check can catch problems early when they’re easier to fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teeth does a cat have?
Adult cats have 30 permanent teeth. Kittens have 26 baby teeth that fall out between 3-6 months old.
Do cats lose their baby teeth like humans?
Yes. Kittens lose their baby teeth as adult teeth come in. Most cats swallow these baby teeth, so you probably won’t find them.
Can I brush cats teeth with human toothpaste?
Never. Human toothpaste contains fluoride and other ingredients toxic to cats. Always use toothpaste made specifically for cats.
What if my cat is missing teeth?
Cats adapt remarkably well to missing teeth. Many toothless cats thrive on wet food. However, tooth loss usually indicates disease that needs treatment.
How do I know if my cat has dental pain?
Watch for bad breath, difficulty eating, drooling, pawing at the mouth, or behavioral changes. Cats hide pain, so subtle signs matter. Learn more about recognizing cat behavior changes that might indicate discomfort.
Take Action Today
Understanding how many teeth do cats have matters less than knowing how to care for those teeth. Your cat’s dental health directly impacts their overall wellbeing and lifespan.
Start somewhere. Schedule that overdue veterinary exam. Try brushing once this week. Check your cat’s mouth during your next cuddle session. Every small step prevents bigger problems down the road.
Cats can’t tell us when their teeth hurt. They rely on us to notice the signs and take action. Those 30 teeth need to last a lifetime—make sure they do.
