A Cat’s Teeth: Timetable and Functions………12/09

A Cat’s Teeth: Timetable and Functions

During its lifetime, a cat has two sets of teeth, a

deciduous set and a permanent set. Kittens have 26

deciduous teeth (molars are absent); adult cats have

a total of 30 teeth.

Deciduous or “milk teeth” begin to appear when the

kitten is about four weeks of age. At six weeks of

age all 26 deciduous teeth are present. From 11 to

30 weeks of age, kittens lose their deciduous teeth.

During this time they may eat less because of sore

gums.

When the deciduous teeth fall out, they are replaced

by 30 permanent teeth. The permanent teeth should be

in place by about six months of age.

A cat’s teeth are well-suited to rip and cut. Twelve

tiny teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors): six

in the upper jaw, six in the lower jaw do some scrap-

ing. They are flanked by two upper and two lower

canines, sometimes described as “fangs,” designed to

hold prey and to tear flesh. Ten sharp premolars and

four molars act together to cut food.

A cat occasionally retains a deciduous tooth after

the permanent tooth appears. This deciduous tooth

should be removed as soon as possible to avoid dis-

placing the permanent tooth.

Extra teeth are occasionally found in cats. They

should be removed by a veterinarian if they cause

crowding or injury to soft tissue or other teeth.

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Examining The Skin Coat And Weight

Unfortunately, when your cat is sick, it can’t tell

you – so it’s up to you as a pet owner to train your-

self to be observant. A good way to keep tabs on your

pet’s health is to make an informal, physical exam

part of your weekly cat-care routine.

Coat and Skin

Your cat’s coat should be unbroken, smooth and soft

to the touch. Its skin should be clean and free of

sores, rashes and eczema. A healthy cat grooms itself

regularly and rarely has matted hair.

To examine your cat’s skin and coat, part the fur in

several places all over the body including the legs,

neck, chin and head. Signs to look for are a dull

coat or dry skin, excessive shedding (except in

spring), lumps or masses, swelling, bald patches,

open sores, excessive parasite infestation and

intense biting or scratching at the skin.

“In states like California, Florida and Texas, fleas

have the warmth to live year-round and the biggest

skin problems by far is flea allergy dermatitis,”

says Thomas Elston, a veterinarian in private

practice in Irvine, California. “It usually starts

as tiny scabs around the neck and at the base of

the tail. Patches of hair loss or brittle, broken

hairs can accompany it. If the condition goes un-

treated, it can eventually involve the entire body.”

You should also check the spaces between the digits

on your cat’s paws. If your cat spends time outdoors,

briars, stones, foxtail, sand and the salt that is

used for melting snow can easily irritate the inter-

digital area.

Weight

Veterinarians estimate that 30 percent or more of pet

cats in the United States are overweight. Obese cats

have a greater incidence of liver problems, heart dis-

ease, diabetes, pancreatitis and arthritis.

One way to determine if your cat needs to lose weight

is by doing a “body condition score” on it.

“If your cat is in good body condition you should be

able to rub your hands over the rib cage and with

gentle pressure you should be able to count each of

the ribs,” says Dottie Laflamme, a veterinary

nutritionist the Ralston Purina Company in St. Louis,

Missouri. “If you’re looking down at the cat, behind

the ribs there should be an indentation at the waist.

When you look at it from the side, they belly should

be tucked up somewhat and should not be dragging on

the ground.”

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FROM THE “CAT SCRAPS” FILE:

Myth: A cat’s sense of balance is in its whiskers.

Fact: Cats use their whiskers as “feelers” but not

to maintain their balance.

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