When Do Kittens Begin to Wean?
When your kitten first erupts between two and six weeks of age, it enters the first stage of teething. Although the baby teeth normally develop rather uneventfully, you might notice the kittens gnawing on toys (and their siblings) more than usual.
The emergence of adult teeth is the primary teething event. Usually, this begins at three months of age, and by six or seven months, all the adult teeth are in place.
What Distinguishes Cat Teeth from Kitten Teeth?
Kitten teeth are the initial temporary set of teeth that every kitten possesses. They are sometimes referred to as deciduous, milk, baby, or primary teeth. These teeth have short, thin roots, a thin layer of enamel, and are incredibly tiny and pointed. Your kitten should have twenty-six deciduous teeth, if you care to count. These deciduous teeth don't need much care because they are only placeholders until the permanent adult teeth erupt.
Your feline friend should have all 30 adult teeth by the time they are six months old. Compared to her deciduous teeth, these teeth are larger and frequently have a little lighter hue. They are more resilient to wear and tear because of their longer roots, which hold them to the jaw bone beneath the gum line.
Because your cat will have her adult teeth for the remainder of her life, it is crucial that you look after them! The gold standard for cat dental care includes routinely getting professional teeth cleaned under anesthesia in addition to brushing your cat's teeth twice a day using toothpaste that is safe for cats. For certain cats, dental diets and treats may also be helpful.
Is My Kitten Affected by Teething?
Your kitten is unlikely to experience more than a little discomfort throughout the teething process. Verify that she is continuing to consume enough food to keep her weight stable.
However, excessive chewing brought on by teething might be harmful to your cat. When your cat was a kitten, you probably walked through your house and kitty-proofed it, but now that it's teething, it's a good idea to do it again.
How to Provide Comfort to a Kitten That Is Teething
You might try the following remedies to relieve your kitten's painful gums:
Serve soft food, like canned food or kibble that has been soaked in warm water.
In order to keep her occupied and fatigued, make sure she spends a lot of time playing interactively with you.
Make her some diluted tuna juice or low-sodium chicken broth ice cubes to play with and gnaw on. Gum irritation will be relieved by the ice. This is a highly sought-after item throughout the summer!
Give chewable soft toys.
Offer cat grass that is safe for pets to eat.
Fortunately, teething discomfort is generally minor and passes quickly. Make an appointment for a veterinarian examination if your kitten is experiencing severe pain, in order to rule out a more serious issue.