You’re cuddling your cat, they yawn, and suddenly you’re staring into a tiny mouth full of pointy teeth wondering, “Wait, how many teeth does a cat have, anyway?” It’s a great question, and the answer changes depending on whether you’re looking at a kitten or a grown cat.
- Adult cats have 30 permanent teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars, and 4 molars.
- Kittens have 26 deciduous (baby) teeth and grow no molars until their adult teeth come in.
- Baby teeth start erupting around 2 to 4 weeks of age, and the full adult set is usually in by 6 to 7 months.
- Losing baby teeth between 3 and 6 months is normal, but a healthy adult cat should never lose a permanent tooth on its own.
- Dental disease is very common in cats, with the AVMA noting most cats show some periodontal disease by age 3, so regular checkups matter.
This guide walks you through exactly how many teeth a cat has at every stage, what each type of tooth does, the kitten teething timeline week by week, and how to keep those teeth healthy. A quick, friendly note first: this article is educational and not a substitute for veterinary care. If something in your cat’s mouth looks off, your vet is the right call.
How many teeth does an adult cat have?
Adult cats have 30 permanent teeth. That set breaks down into 12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars, and 4 molars, spread across the upper and lower jaws.
Each tooth type has its own job. The little incisors at the front grab and groom. The long, pointy canines (the “fangs”) grip and tear. The premolars and molars in the back slice food like scissors, which is why a cat’s chewing looks more like shearing than grinding. Here’s the full adult breakdown.
| Tooth Type | Number in Adult Cats | Main Job |
|---|---|---|
| Incisors | 12 (6 top, 6 bottom) | Nibbling and grooming |
| Canines | 4 (2 top, 2 bottom) | Gripping and tearing prey |
| Premolars | 10 (6 top, 4 bottom) | Shearing and slicing food |
| Molars | 4 (2 top, 2 bottom) | Crushing and final chewing |
| Total | 30 | Full adult set |
How many teeth does a kitten have?
Kittens have 26 baby teeth, also called deciduous or milk teeth. That set includes 12 incisors, 4 canines, and 10 premolars, but no molars yet.
So a kitten has four fewer teeth than an adult cat for one simple reason: those four molars only ever grow in as permanent adult teeth. A kitten’s mouth is tiny, and molars are the big back grinders that need a bigger jaw, so nature holds them back until the adult set arrives. Here’s how a kitten’s baby teeth stack up.
| Tooth Type | Number in Kittens | Becomes Adult Teeth? |
|---|---|---|
| Incisors | 12 | Yes, replaced by adult incisors |
| Canines | 4 | Yes, replaced by adult canines |
| Premolars | 10 | Yes, replaced by adult premolars |
| Molars | 0 | Grow in only as adult teeth |
| Total | 26 | Baby set |
Why do kittens have fewer teeth than adult cats?
Kittens have fewer teeth than adult cats because they’re born with no teeth at all, then grow a starter set of 26 baby teeth that skips the molars entirely. Adult cats finish with 30 teeth once those four permanent molars erupt.
Think of baby teeth as a temporary set sized for a small mouth and a milk-and-mush diet. As a kitten’s jaw grows and they start eating solid food, the baby teeth fall out and bigger, stronger adult teeth take their place. The molars are the last to appear, which is why the count climbs from 26 to 30.
When do kittens get their teeth? The teething timeline
Kittens get their baby teeth starting around 2 to 4 weeks of age, then swap them for adult teeth between roughly 3 and 6 months. By about 6 to 7 months, most kittens have their full set of 30 permanent teeth.
Teething happens in two waves: first the baby teeth come in, then they fall out and the adult teeth push through. Here’s a simple timeline of what to expect and when.
| Age | What’s Happening |
|---|---|
| Birth | Kittens are born with no visible teeth |
| 2 to 4 weeks | Baby incisors begin erupting first |
| 3 to 6 weeks | Baby canines and premolars come in (26 baby teeth total) |
| 3 to 4 months | Baby incisors start falling out, adult incisors push through |
| 4 to 6 months | Baby canines and premolars shed, adult teeth plus molars erupt |
| 6 to 7 months | Full set of 30 adult teeth is usually in place |
If you want to estimate a cat’s age from their teeth and other clues, your vet uses these milestones too.
Do kittens lose their baby teeth?
Yes, kittens lose all 26 of their baby teeth, usually between 3 and 6 months of age. The baby teeth loosen and fall out as the larger adult teeth grow in underneath and push them up.
Here’s the part that surprises a lot of new cat parents: you often never see the lost teeth. Kittens frequently swallow their tiny baby teeth while eating, and that’s completely harmless. If you do find a little tooth on the floor or in the bedding, that’s normal too, no need to panic.
During teething, your kitten may chew more, drool a little, or seem slightly fussy. Some mild gum redness is expected. Offering a safe, soft kitten teething toy can help take the edge off.
Do adult cats lose teeth, and is that normal?
No, a healthy adult cat should not lose permanent teeth on its own. If an adult cat loses a tooth, it usually points to dental disease, injury, or tooth resorption, and it deserves a vet visit.
Unlike the planned shedding of kitten teeth, adult tooth loss is a warning sign, not a milestone. The most common culprits are periodontal (gum) disease, where plaque and tartar inflame and erode the support around a tooth, and tooth resorption, a painful condition where the tooth structure breaks down from the inside. Tooth resorption is common in cats, with estimates ranging from about 30% to over 50% of cats affected, according to veterinary sources including the Cornell Feline Health Center.
See your vet promptly if you notice:
- A loose, broken, or missing adult tooth
- Bad breath that’s suddenly worse
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Drooling, pawing at the mouth, or dropping food
- Eating less or chewing on only one side
These can signal pain or infection, and cats are experts at hiding both. When in doubt, a quick dental check with your vet is always worth it.
How do you take care of a cat’s teeth?
You take care of a cat’s teeth by brushing regularly with cat-safe toothpaste, scheduling routine veterinary dental checkups, and watching for early warning signs like bad breath or red gums. Dental care matters because dental disease is extremely common in cats. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that most cats show some sign of periodontal disease by age 3.
A few simple habits go a long way toward keeping all 30 of those adult teeth healthy.
- Brush often. Use a cat-specific toothbrush or finger brush and pet toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste, since the fluoride and xylitol in it can be toxic to cats.
- Start slow. Let your cat lick a little toothpaste first, then build up to gentle brushing along the gumline over several days.
- Aim for daily. Daily or every-other-day brushing does the most to slow plaque, though even a few times a week helps.
- Book regular checkups. Your vet can spot resorption and gum disease early, and may recommend a professional cleaning under anesthesia.
- Offer dental-friendly extras. Vet-approved dental treats, diets, or water additives can support brushing, not replace it.
If brushing feels intimidating, a starter dental kit makes it much easier. A finger brush plus a tasty pet toothpaste lets your cat get used to the texture and flavor before you ever bring out a full brush.
Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs & Cats
This is an enzymatic pet toothpaste designed to break down plaque, and it comes in cat-friendly flavors like poultry. It’s a gentle way to start a brushing routine, and it’s best for owners introducing dental care to a cat for the first time.
Looking after your cat’s mouth is one of the easiest ways to protect their overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many teeth does a cat have in total?
An adult cat has 30 teeth in total: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars, and 4 molars. Kittens have just 26 baby teeth, because the four molars only grow in as permanent adult teeth.
Q: How many teeth does a kitten have?
A kitten has 26 baby (deciduous) teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, and 10 premolars. Kittens have no molars until their adult teeth come in around 4 to 6 months of age.
Q: How many fangs (canine teeth) does a cat have?
Cats have 4 canine teeth, often called fangs: two on the top and two on the bottom. These long, pointed teeth are the same count in both kittens and adult cats, and they’re used for gripping and tearing.
Q: Do cats have molars?
Adult cats have 4 molars, two on the top jaw and two on the bottom. Kittens have zero molars, because molars only ever appear as permanent adult teeth once the jaw is large enough.
Q: At what age do kittens have all their adult teeth?
Most kittens have all 30 of their adult teeth by about 6 to 7 months of age. The process starts when baby teeth begin falling out around 3 to 4 months and the permanent teeth push through.
Q: Is it normal for my kitten to swallow its baby teeth?
Yes, it’s normal and harmless for kittens to swallow their baby teeth while eating. Many owners never find the lost teeth at all. Finding a tiny tooth on the floor is also perfectly normal during teething.
Q: Why is my adult cat losing teeth?
A healthy adult cat should not lose teeth, so tooth loss usually signals a problem like periodontal disease, tooth resorption, or injury. Have your vet examine any loose, broken, or missing adult tooth, as it can be painful.
Q: How can I tell a kitten’s age by its teeth?
You can roughly estimate a kitten’s age by which teeth have erupted: incisors first around 2 to 4 weeks, baby teeth complete by about 6 weeks, and the full adult set by 6 to 7 months. Your vet can give a more precise estimate.
So, how many teeth does a cat have? Thirty in adults and 26 in kittens, and now you know exactly what each one is for and when it shows up. Keep an eye on those teeth, brush when you can, and let your vet handle anything that looks painful or out of place. Your cat’s smile will thank you.
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