Why Is My Cat’s Teeth Falling Out? Here’s Why

Before knowing why a cat’s teeth fall out, it is important that you know some peculiarities of its teeth. Above all, it is characterized because they are the fangs the teeth that develop the most and they evolve. On the other hand, the incisors are the ones that end up being the smallest. We must also mention the functionality of the molars since it is these teeth that act like scissors and help cut food.

Why Is My Cat’s Teeth Falling Out?

That said, we are going to discover why a cat’s teeth fall out by indicating the most common causes that can lead to this situation.

They are milk teeth

As we have already indicated, cats (just like people) also have milk teeth. In fact, during the first 3 weeks of life approximately these animals are without teeth to thus facilitate that they can suck from the mother’s breast. From this moment, they begin to develop their first teeth, the milk teeth, which are smaller and more unstable.

Normally, 6-week-old cats already have their baby teeth formed. They are a total of 26 pieces They have a life of approx. 4 months. At this time, the teeth fall out to be replaced by “permanent” teeth, that is, teeth that will last you a lifetime.

Have a bad diet

However, if an adult cat’s teeth fall out, the cause of this situation may be somewhat more complex. We must not forget that the strength of the teeth comes from the diet and the health of the animal, therefore, one of the reasons that can make the teeth not strong enough is the diet that is followed.

You have to know that the natural diet of felines is meat and, at home, usually food with dry feed or canned food. These foods can end up creating plaque on the teeth and cause the appearance of oral diseases that accelerate the loss of teeth. In this other article we help you to know how to choose your cat’s food.

Dental diseases

To know why a cat’s teeth fall out, aspects such as diseases that weaken the teeth must also be taken into account. As we have indicated above, the accumulation of food remains can cause the appearance of a series of dental diseases that affect your health. The gum disease in catsfor example, can cause the tooth to weaken and eventually end up falling out.

Normally, this happens when teeth are not properly cleaned and, in the end, food remains are stored at the base of the tooth and gums. The bacteria in the mouth end up forming a plaque that, in the end, turns into tartar and, this, ends up affecting the gums by inflaming them. This process causes pain to cats and, therefore, it is convenient that you learn to detect if your cat’s teeth hurt.

Now that you know the causes of a cat’s teeth falling out, it is important that we analyze the situation of adult cats. As we have already said, in small cats it is normal for their teeth to fall out because they are made of milk. But in the case of adults, the situation becomes a little more delicate because their fall is related to an oral disease that affects the health of the teeth.

You have to know that the teeth of a healthy cat are made up of 30 permanent teeth. These are distributed in the upper and lower jaw, leaving this structure:

• upper jaw: 6 incisors, 6 premolars, 2 canines and 2 molars
• lower: 6 incisors, 5 premolars, 2 canines and 2 molars

In any case, it is usual that when a cat is already an adult You may lose 1 to 2 teeth starting at age 8. This can happen because, over the years, the part has worn out or is much weaker. However, it is important to clarify that if a cat loses its teeth, it is usually a sign that there is a condition that is damaging it. Therefore, it is always advisable to go to a veterinarian for a detailed examination.

In the event that you see that your adult cat has lost a tooth, the best thing you can do is take it to the vet. Only an expert will be able to help you and tell you what is happening: if the animal has a disease or if it has simply fallen out due to the aging of the tooth.

It is essential to go to a health professional to know exactly what is the origin of this dental loss. In addition, to prevent more teeth from falling out, it is important that you learn to take care of your cat’s teeth conscientiously. And within this dental care, you will have to include teeth cleaning.

cleaning a cat’s teeth It is something that should be done frequently. You will not need to do it daily, but you do need to repeat it 2 or 3 times a week to guarantee optimal oral health. Keep in mind that this process is not usually pleasant for the animal and, therefore, it is normal for it to become defensive or to scratch you. However, it is essential in order to maintain iron health.

In addition to this routine, it is also recommended that, annually Go to the vet for a deeper cleaning with which it will remove plaque and accumulated tartar. In any case, you will always have to ask the professional and let yourself be guided by his recommendations.