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Do cats lose teeth?
Yes, cats can lose teeth too. When cats are young, they undergo a stage of deciduous teeth falling out and being replaced by permanent teeth, just like humans. During this stage, their milk teeth will fall out. Apart from the period of milk teeth falling out, cats will also lose teeth as they grow older, just like humans. Both of these are normal physiological changes. In addition to these two situations, cats' teeth may also fall out due to fighting or pathological factors.
The cat's deciduous teeth usually start to fall out around three months after birth. Cats begin to grow teeth about two weeks after birth, and all 26 milk teeth will grow in about a month. Around three months old, the milk teeth slowly start to fall out. The owner usually doesn't notice this process. This stage usually lasts until the cat is about six months old, although the specific time varies depending on the individual cat. During this period, because cats are experiencing teething and tooth loss, their gums may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, cats may like to bite things, and their mouth will have a stronger odor. Consequently, cats with weak resistance may develop oral inflammation during this period. As cats grow older, most of them will begin to experience loose gums around the age of 12. When the gums loosen to a certain extent, the teeth will naturally fall out.
Normal tooth loss occurs during the cat's youth or later in life. However, pathological factors can also cause tooth loss, such as periodontal disease or dental calculus. When pathological conditions occur, it is necessary to take the cat to the hospital for treatment to prevent the condition from worsening. If a cat loses teeth due to fighting, it's best to check the whole body for other wounds and examine the mouth to prevent tooth fracture or other inflammatory conditions.