What to watch out for during a cat's teething period

During a cat's teething period, the owner should pay attention to check the situation of the deciduous teeth falling out. If the permanent teeth emerge before the deciduous teeth fall out, it will cause crooked occlusion and food residue accumulation. It is best to brush the teeth regularly. Toys and harder cat food can help clean the teeth and assist the cat in teething. During the teething period, the owner should prepare some easy-to-chew food for the cat to protect the newly erupted teeth.同时, calcium supplementation should also be considered to prevent calcium deficiency during the tooth growth process.

Teething time

Cats usually begin to teethe at the age of 4-5 months. Like humans, the growth and development of a cat's teeth also go through two stages: the deciduous teeth stage and the permanent teeth stage. In the deciduous teeth stage, cats have 26 teeth. In the permanent teeth stage, they will have 30 teeth, with an additional two molars upper and lower. The growth and replacement of cat teeth are quite regular, and the age of the cat can be roughly estimated by observing the teeth.

Diet during teething

A cat's appetite during the teething period will significantly decrease. The owner needs to provide the cat with easy-to-chew food. If the cat has difficulty chewing, you can appropriately soften the cat food before feeding it or switch to cans. Canned food has a more balanced nutrition profile and sufficient moisture, which makes it more comfortable for the cat to eat. This not only increases the cat's food intake but also protects the newly erupted small teeth.

Tooth cleaning

After the cat's teething, you can start brushing the cat's teeth, which is around 5-6 months old. Regularly brushing a cat's teeth can maintain oral hygiene and prevent oral diseases. It is generally recommended to brush the cat's teeth 2-3 times a week at the beginning. Toothbrushes can be purchased at pet stores specifically for pets. In addition to brushing, you can also buy pet-specific mouthwash to clean the cat's oral cavity.