An adult cat has 30 permanent teeth. A kitten has 26 baby teeth, also called deciduous or milk teeth. Just like people, cats get two sets of teeth in their lifetime: the baby set arrives in the first weeks of life, then falls out during kittenhood and is replaced by the larger adult set.
This guide breaks down the numbers: which types of teeth cats have, what each type is for, when kittens get and lose their teeth, and how to look after those teeth so they last your cat a lifetime.
How many teeth do adult cats have?
Adult cats have 30 permanent teeth once the full adult set is in, which happens by about 6 to 7 months of age. The teeth are not spread evenly between the jaws. There are 16 in the upper jaw and 14 in the lower jaw.
The count splits into four types:
- 12 incisors — the tiny teeth at the very front
- 4 canines — the long, pointed “fangs”
- 10 premolars — the pointed teeth along the sides
- 4 molars — the teeth at the very back, which only adults have
Cats are built as meat eaters, and their teeth show it. Unlike our teeth, a cat’s cheek teeth do not have flat surfaces for grinding. They meet like the blades of scissors, slicing food into pieces small enough to swallow. A cat’s jaw also moves almost entirely up and down, with very little side-to-side motion, so cats cut their food rather than chewing it the way we do.
Cats cannot regrow a lost adult tooth. Once a permanent tooth is gone, it is gone, which is why dental care matters so much over a cat’s life.
What are the different types of cat teeth?
Each of the four types of teeth has a specific job. This table shows the counts for adult cats and kittens side by side.
| Type of tooth | Adult cats | Kittens | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisors | 12 | 12 | Tiny front teeth used for grooming, nibbling, and picking up small objects |
| Canines | 4 | 4 | The long fangs that grip and puncture prey, and hold food in place |
| Premolars | 10 | 10 | Pointed side teeth that shear and slice food into pieces small enough to swallow |
| Molars | 4 | 0 | Back teeth that finish cutting food; only present in the adult set |
| Total | 30 | 26 |
The incisors are easy to overlook because they are so small, but cats use them constantly, nibbling along the fur while grooming to pull out loose hair and dirt. The canines are the most dramatic teeth in the mouth, long and slightly curved, designed to hold onto prey. Premolars and molars form the slicing toolkit at the sides and back of the mouth. The biggest of them, the upper fourth premolar, is called the carnassial tooth, the main meat-shearing tooth of carnivores.
Notice that kittens have no molars at all. The four molars arrive only with the adult set, which is why the kitten count is 26 while the adult count is 30.
How many teeth do kittens have?
Kittens have 26 baby teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, and 10 premolars. Kittens are born with no teeth at all. The baby teeth start pushing through the gums at around 2 to 3 weeks of age, and most kittens have the full set by about 8 weeks.
Baby teeth look different from adult teeth. They are smaller, sharper, and slightly more translucent, as PetMD points out. Anyone who has played with a young kitten has felt how needle-like those tiny teeth are. The sharpness is normal and temporary; the adult teeth that replace them are bigger, stronger, and less pointed.
Vets and shelters use a kitten’s teeth to estimate her age. Baby incisors arriving suggest about 3 weeks old, a full baby set around 8 weeks, and adult teeth coming through point to a kitten of 4 months or more.
When do kittens get and lose their teeth?
Teething follows a fairly predictable schedule, from the first baby incisors at a few weeks old to the full adult set at around 6 months. This timeline, following the stages described by PetMD, shows what to expect.
| Age | What happens |
|---|---|
| Birth to 2 weeks | No teeth yet |
| 2 to 4 weeks | Baby incisors come in first, then the baby canines |
| 4 to 6 weeks | Baby premolars come in |
| By 8 weeks | All 26 baby teeth are in |
| 3.5 to 4 months | Baby incisors start falling out and adult incisors come in |
| 4 to 5 months | Baby canines and premolars fall out; adult canines, premolars, and the 4 molars come in |
| 5 to 7 months | The full set of 30 adult teeth is in place |
Most owners never find the baby teeth that fall out. Kittens usually swallow them while eating, which is harmless, though you may occasionally spot a tiny white tooth on the floor or stuck in a toy. That is normal too.
Mild redness at the gum line where a new tooth is coming through is normal during the changeover. A kitten that is eating, playing, and otherwise acting normally is almost certainly fine.
How can you help a teething kitten?
Teething gums are sore, and chewing is how kittens relieve the discomfort. Your job is to give that urge a safe target.
- Offer kitten chew toys. Soft rubber or fabric toys made for kittens give sore gums something appropriate to work on.
- Try a frozen washcloth. A clean, damp washcloth frozen until it is crunchy combines texture and cold, both of which soothe irritated gums.
- Protect your hands. Never let a teething kitten chew your fingers, even gently. It feels harmless now, but it teaches a habit that is much harder to undo in an adult cat. Swap your hand for a toy every time.
- Keep chewable hazards away. Electrical cords, hair ties, string, and small plastic items all end up in teething mouths. Tidy them out of reach.
- Soften the food if needed. A kitten that seems reluctant to crunch dry food for a day or two may do better with wet food or softened kibble until the sore stage passes.
A little drooling, mild bad breath (“kitten breath”), and extra chewing are all typical teething signs. Contact your vet if your kitten stops eating, paws constantly at her mouth, or seems genuinely distressed.
What if a baby tooth does not fall out?
Sometimes an adult tooth comes in while the baby tooth is still in place. This is called a retained, or persistent, deciduous tooth, and it is most common with the canines, where you may see two fangs side by side, one much smaller than the other.
A retained tooth is not just a curiosity. Two teeth crowded in one spot trap food and plaque, and the baby tooth can push the adult tooth into a wrong position. If you spot a double tooth, mention it at your kitten’s next vet visit. The usual fix is to remove the baby tooth, often during the spay or neuter appointment while the kitten is already under anesthesia. Left alone, it can cause lasting dental problems, so have it checked rather than waiting for it to fall out on its own.
How should you care for your cat’s teeth?
Dental disease is one of the most common health problems in cats. The Cornell Feline Health Center estimates that between 50 and 90 percent of cats over the age of four have some form of dental disease. Much of it is preventable at home.
- Brush your cat’s teeth. Brushing is the single most effective way to remove plaque before it hardens into tartar. Use only toothpaste made for cats. Human toothpaste can be toxic to them, and cats cannot spit it out. Start slowly: let your cat lick the flavored paste from your finger for a few days, then progress to a finger brush or small cat toothbrush, aiming for a few seconds on each side.
- Use dental diets and treats. Certain diets and chews are designed to scrub the teeth or reduce tartar as the cat eats. Ask your vet which products they recommend.
- Book regular vet checks. Your vet will look inside your cat’s mouth at routine visits and can spot early gum disease, broken teeth, and tooth resorption, a painful condition where the tooth breaks down from within. Some problems can only be seen properly under anesthesia, when the vet can also scale away tartar above and below the gum line.
- Start young if you can. Kittens that grow up with gentle tooth brushing and mouth handling usually accept it as a normal part of life.
Daily brushing is ideal, but even a few times a week helps if you are consistent.
What are the signs of dental problems in cats?
Cats are very good at hiding mouth pain. A cat with a sore mouth will often keep eating, just more slowly or on one side. Watch for these signs:
- Bad breath that is stronger than normal cat breath
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Yellow or brown tartar build-up on the teeth
- Drooling, or drool with traces of blood
- Pawing at the mouth or rubbing the face on the floor
- Dropping food, chewing on one side, or preferring soft food suddenly
- Eating less or losing interest in food. A cat with dental pain may approach the bowl hungry, then back away. If yours has stopped eating, read our guide on why a cat won’t eat and book a vet visit
- A loose tooth, or a tooth that looks pink or discolored, which can be a sign of tooth resorption
Book a vet appointment if you see any of these. Dental problems do not heal on their own, and conditions like periodontal disease and tooth resorption get more painful, and more expensive to treat, the longer they are left. Your vet may recommend a professional cleaning under anesthesia, and in some cases removing a badly damaged tooth. Most cats feel noticeably better within days of having a painful tooth treated.
Conclusion
The short answer is 30 for adults and 26 for kittens. An adult cat’s mouth holds 12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars, and 4 molars, all designed for gripping and slicing rather than grinding. Kittens start with 26 smaller, sharper baby teeth, swap them during the teething months, and finish with the full adult set by about 6 to 7 months. Those 30 teeth have to last your cat’s whole life, and with regular brushing, routine vet checks, and quick attention to signs like bad breath or dropped food, they usually can.
Frequently asked questions
Do cats lose their baby teeth like humans do?
Yes. Kittens lose all 26 baby teeth as the adult teeth push through, usually between about 3.5 and 6 months of age. The process is gradual, a few teeth at a time, so most owners never notice. You may occasionally find a tiny tooth on the floor, but kittens swallow most of them, which is perfectly harmless.
Can a cat live with no teeth?
Yes, comfortably. Cats that lose teeth to dental disease, or have them removed by a vet, usually eat well once their mouths heal, especially on wet food or softened kibble. Their teeth are made for slicing food into swallowable pieces rather than grinding it, and gums harden enough to manage soft meals. Many owners are surprised by how much happier a cat becomes once painful teeth are gone.
Do cats’ teeth keep growing or grow back?
No. Adult cats get one permanent set. If an adult tooth falls out or is removed, no replacement grows in its place. Unlike rodents, whose teeth grow continuously, a cat’s adult teeth must last for life, which is why protecting them with brushing and vet care matters so much.
Why does my cat have two teeth in one spot?
That is usually a retained baby tooth: the adult tooth came in before the baby tooth fell out. It happens most often with the canine teeth, so the cat appears to have two fangs on one side. Show it to your vet. The baby tooth often needs to be removed so it does not crowd the adult tooth or trap plaque between them.
Do kittens swallow their baby teeth?
Usually, yes. Most baby teeth come out while the kitten is eating or grooming, and are swallowed unseen. Swallowed baby teeth pass through the digestive system harmlessly, and finding one on the carpet is equally normal.
How many teeth do cats have compared to dogs and humans?
Adult cats have 30 teeth. Adult dogs have 42, and adult humans have 32. The differences reflect diet. Cats are strict meat eaters with teeth built for gripping and slicing, dogs have a more varied toolkit for their broader diet, and humans have flat molars for grinding plant and animal food alike.
