Cat's teeth: quantity, structure and care

Caring for a cat is a very responsible task. In order for the animal to remain healthy and happy, you need to take care of its coat, claws and even teeth on a regular basis.

Most often, the cat's jaw is quite well developed and has one feature: its movement occurs only in the vertical direction. Cats, as it were, cut their incoming food with their sharp teeth. The upper and lower jaws have a symmetrical arrangement relative to each other.

The structure of the teeth in an animal is almost the same as in humans. Each cat’s tooth has pulp, dentin, tooth enamel and root. The layout of the teeth of the cat is quite simple.

• 12 incisors are placed in front, which are intended for the most part to hold prey in the mouth and cut food before swallowing.
• Very long fangs are located a little further: two of them are at the top, and two are at the bottom. They are intended for chopping food, and cats also need for self-defense. In a fit of aggression, a cat can even bite a person’s hand.
• The premolars are located behind the fangs - these are short and fairly wide teeth. On each side there are 3 premolars on top and 2 on the bottom.
• The most extreme teeth - molars - are located in the depths of the jaw. There are only 4 of them: 2 on top and 2 on the bottom - one in each corner.

Cutters are first cut, then fangs are formed. This occurs 1 month after the birth of the kitten. Immediately after their formation, and in some cases simultaneously with fangs, premolars begin to appear.The last climb molars.

The teeth of cats grow a little faster than humans. So, for example, without teeth they live only 2-3 weeks after birth. If incisors do not appear at this stage, this is already a reason for visiting the veterinarian.

First, kittens have milk teeth. At this time, pets can bite, as the gums are very itchy. In addition, saliva begins to be actively released. And although usually people don’t pay attention to it at all, a kitten suffers just like a human child.

Therefore, those who care about their cats, it is best to buy special painkiller in a veterinary pharmacy. They need to smear the appearance of the teeth. By the age of 3 months, kittens have 26 milk teeth, 14 of them are on the upper part of the jaw, and 12 on the lower.

After 120-160 days, milk teeth fall out and permanent ones appear, in the same sequence as milk teeth. The complete formation of the jaw is completed by 8 months. An adult healthy cat should appear 30 healthy teeth. If their number is less or more, this is already considered a deviation from the existing norm.

Cats, like humans, can have various problems with their teeth. In this case, it is best to contact good specialists. There are veterinarians who specialize specifically in dentistry.

Most people do not pay attention to it. However, experienced breeders or owners of animals that participate in exhibitions immediately look at this point. And that’s absolutely right after all, this problem is nothing more than a calculus that can appear in any animal.

The main reason is the hardening of plaque, which slowly settles on the teeth of pets, and then begins to destroy the enamel. Subsequently, caries occurs and then the teeth fall out. In addition, this happens when a cat is fed only soft food. To prevent this from happening, you can give the kitten crackers, only without any chemical additives.

If we talk about this pathology, then there can be many reasons:

1. slightest jaw injuries;
2. stomach disease, as well as a slowdown in metabolism in cats;
3. improper antibiotic treatment;
4. any viral infections;
5. pet aging;
6. taking some hormones.

In addition, not every owner can immediately notice such a process. Such details are paid attention only when the cat begins to experience discomfort when eating. At this time, saliva begins to stand out and the gums swell.

Such a pathological deviation as erosion of the teeth can occur both in young cats and in adults. Usually it forms around the neck of the tooth, and sometimes even deeper. This problem manifests itself most often in cats with poor genetics.

Not only not every owner, but not every specialist is able to notice changes. After all, cats are very mobile and it is difficult for them to sit quietly in one place to be examined. Therefore, if there is no specific complaint about such a problem, then the doctor is unlikely to delay his attention on this.

Often you can see between the teeth of the animal something resembling chewing gum. This is an overgrown gum tissue, of course, there is nothing good about it. Immediately after detecting such a deviation, you need to quickly consult a specialist to prevent further tooth loss. Damaged teeth must be removed, as treatment in this case will be simply useless.

Most often, this problem occurs as a result of a lack of vitamins or due to problems with the stomach. First, the teeth begin to grit and stagger, and then they can even begin to fall out. Treatment should be carried out only under general anesthesia., since any touch will be very painful not only for the kitten, but also for the person, because during the examination the cat may scratch it.

The first changes in cats occur when milk teeth change to permanent. This begins to occur in the period from about 5 to 8 months after their birth. After 2 years, the lower incisors begin to wear out. It is almost impossible to prevent such a process. However, a little time can be delayed if proper care is provided for them.

As the cat's teeth change, you can determine the age of the animal. This can be done by the following criteria:

• when the cat is 1 year old, she should have 30 white healthy teeth;
• after 1.5 years, yellowness appears;
• at 2 years of age, the central incisors located on the lower jaw begin to wear out;
• at 3 years, the central incisors of the upper jaw are already erased;
• 5-year-old pets are characterized by a dark coating on almost all teeth;
• upon reaching the age of 8, all upper and lower incisors are erased in cats;
• at the age of 10, prolapse of incisors in the lower jaw begins;
• 13 years later, the cat may not have a single incisor;
• after 15 years, fangs completely fall out.

In order for the teeth of animals to be in good condition for as long as possible, it is necessary to provide them with proper care, and also pay special attention to feeding their pets. After all, healthy teeth will help to properly chew all incoming food. And if you brush your teeth on time, this will prevent the appearance of tartar.

It is very important to properly feed your pets. It is necessary that their diet be completely balanced, that is, it includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals. This is especially important during the period of growth of the animal, because at that time its bone tissue is completely formed. This will allow cats to have healthy strong teeth in the future.

If feed is used in-store, then additional vitamins are not required, especially if the food is of high quality. Such feed can only be purchased at specialized veterinary pharmacies. If you buy food in supermarkets, it is best to immediately purchase vitamins, as they may not be enough in the composition of the product.

With its help, you can perfectly clean the oral cavity of a cat. Irrigation of the mouth allows you to wash away all emerging bacteria. Therefore, it is better if the water is always in the access zone of your favorite pet. It is advisable to change it several times a day, the water must be clean. In addition, it is important to wash the bowl every time before water is poured into it.

An important role is played by oral hygiene. And therefore, a cat needs a toothbrush no less than a human needs. However, it is better not to use a toothpaste that is intended for people. Veterinary pharmacies or pet stores can buy toothbrushes and pastes that are designed for cats. If such goods were not found in city stores, you can order them on a specialized site.

The process of brushing your teeth is practically no different from the usual for a person. It is necessary to remove all dirt with light movements. You need to brush from the gums to the edge of the teeth, without rushing.

However, if the animal has some kind of tooth disturbance, then it is best to clean them under anesthesia, because this can cause him painful sensations. Accordingly, a cat can either scratch a person, or even bite him. To make the cleaning procedure more painless, it is best to take a brush for the nursery. In addition, you can use a bandage, which must be wound on the finger, and then hold it over the teeth of the pet. This full cleaning will not replace, but in this case the cat will be more calm.

To summarize, we can say that teeth for a cat are no less important than for humans. Therefore, in order for them to always be healthy, it is necessary to take care of their cleanliness. In addition, do not forget about vitamins that will help them stay as long as possible.

You can see how to brush your cat’s teeth in the next video.