Cat teeth: number, structure and care

Caring for a cat is a very important task. In order for an animal to remain healthy and happy, you need to take care of its hair, claws and even teeth on a regular basis.

Most often, the cat's jaw is quite well developed and has one feature: its movement occurs only in the vertical direction. The incoming cat food is cut by its sharp teeth. The upper and lower jaws have a symmetrical arrangement relative to each other.

The structure of the teeth in an animal is almost the same as in humans. Each cat's tooth has pulp, dentin, tooth enamel and root. The layout of the teeth of a cat is quite simple.

• There are 12 incisors in the front, which are intended mostly to keep prey in the mouth and to cut food before swallowing.
• A little further are very long canines: two of them are at the top, and two - at the bottom. They are intended for grinding food, and also need cats for self-defense. In an attack of aggression, the cat may even bite through the hand of a person.
• The premolars are located behind the canines - these are short and rather wide teeth. On each side there are 3 premolars on top and 2 on the bottom.
• The most extreme teeth - the molars - are in the depth of the jaw. There are only 4 of them: 2 on top and 2 on the bottom - one in each corner.

The incisors are cut first, then canines are formed. This happens 1 month after the birth of a kitten. Immediately after their formation, premolars begin to appear at the same time as the fangs. The last molars climb.

The teeth of cats grow a little faster than humans. For example, without teeth, they live only 2-3 weeks after birth. If incisors do not appear at this stage, this is already a reason for a visit to the vet.

First, the kittens appear baby teeth. At this time, pets can bite, as the gums are very itchy. In addition, saliva begins to actively stand out. And although people usually do not pay attention to it, The kitten suffers just like a human child.

Therefore, those who care about their cats, it is best to purchase Special painkiller in a veterinary pharmacy. They need to smear the place of appearance of teeth. Already by 3 months, the kittens have 26 milk teeth, 14 of them are located on the upper part of the jaw, and 12 - on the lower part.

After 120-160 days, the milk teeth fall out and appear permanent, in the same sequence as the milk teeth. The entire process of the formation of the jaw is completed by 8 months. A healthy adult cat should appear 30 healthy teeth. If their number is less or more, this is already considered a deviation from the existing norm.

Cats, like humans, may experience various dental problems. In this case, it is best to contact good specialists. There are veterinarians who specialize in dentistry.

Most people do not pay attention to it. However, experienced breeders or owners of animals that participate in exhibitions, immediately eyeing this moment. And this is absolutely correct because this problem is nothing more than tartar, which can appear in any animal.

The main reason is the hardening of plaque, which slowly settles on the teeth of pets, and then begins to destroy the enamel. Subsequently, tooth decay occurs, and then teeth fall out. In addition, this happens when the cat is fed only soft food. To prevent this from happening, you can give the kitten crackers, only without any chemical additives.

If we talk about this pathology, there are many reasons for this:

1. the slightest jaw injury;
2. stomach disease, as well as a slowdown in cat metabolism;
3. improper antibiotic treatment;
4. any viral infections;
5. pet aging;
6. taking some hormones.

In addition, not every owner can immediately notice such a process. At such details pay attention only when the cat begins to experience discomfort when eating. At this time, saliva begins to stand out, and the gums swell.

Such pathological deviation, as the erosion of teeth can occur both in young cats and in adults. It usually forms around the neck of the tooth, and sometimes even deeper. This problem manifests itself most often in cats with poor genetics.

Not only not every owner, but not every specialist is able to notice the changes. After all, cats are very mobile and it is difficult for them to sit quietly in one place so that they can be examined. Therefore, if there is no specific complaint about such a problem, it is unlikely that the doctor will delay his attention on this.

It is often possible to notice between the teeth of an animal something resembling chewing gum. This is an overgrown gum tissue, of course, there is nothing good about it. Immediately after the discovery of such a deviation, you need to quickly contact a specialist to prevent further tooth loss. Damaged teeth must be removed, as the treatment in this case will be simply useless.

Most often, this problem occurs as a result of a lack of vitamins or due to stomach problems. At first, the teeth begin to creak and stagger, and then may even begin to fall out. Treatment should be carried out only under anesthesia., as any touches will be very painful, not only for the kitten, but also for the person, because during the inspection the cat may scratch it.

The first changes in cats occur when the baby teeth change to permanent. It begins to occur in the period from about 5 to 8 months after their birth. After 2 years, the lower incisors begin to wear off. To prevent such a process is almost impossible. However, a little time can be delayed if you ensure the proper care of them.

As the cat's teeth change, you can determine the age of the animal. This can be done by the following features:

• when the cat is 1 year old, it should have 30 white healthy teeth;
• after 1.5 years, yellowness appears;
• at 2 years of age, the central incisors located on the lower jaw begin to erase;
• in 3 years, the central incisors of the upper jaw are erased;
• 5-year-old pets are characterized by a dark patina on almost all teeth;
• upon reaching 8 years of age, all upper and lower incisors are erased in cats;
• in 10 years the incisors begin to fall in the lower jaw;
• 13 years later, the cat may not have a single incisor;
• after 15 years canines fall out completely.

In order for the teeth of animals to be in good condition as long as possible, it is necessary to provide them with proper care, and also to pay special attention to feeding their pets. After all, healthy teeth will help to properly chew all incoming food. And if you brush your teeth in time, it will prevent the appearance of tartar.

It is very important to feed your pets correctly. It is necessary that their diet is completely balanced, that is, it includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals. This is especially important during the growth of the animal, because at this time its bone tissue is completely formed. And this will allow cats to have healthy strong teeth in the future.

If store feeds are used, then additional vitamins are not required, especially if the nutrition is of high quality. Such feed can be purchased only in specialized veterinary pharmacies. If you buy food in supermarkets, it is best to immediately buy and vitamins, as they are in the composition of the product may not be enough.

With its help you can perfectly clean the mouth of the cat. Irrigation of the mouth allows you to wash off all the bacteria that have appeared. Therefore, it is better if the water will always be within the reach of your beloved pet. It is advisable to change it several times a day, the water must be clean. In addition, it is important to wash the bowl every time before pouring water into it.

An important role is played by oral hygiene. And because the cat needs a toothbrush no less than a man. However, the use of toothpaste, which is intended for people, is not worth it. In veterinary pharmacies or pet stores you can buy a toothbrush and toothpaste, which are designed for cats. If such goods were not found in city stores, you can order them on a specialized website.

The process of cleaning teeth is practically no different from the usual for a person. It is necessary to remove all impurities with light movements. It is necessary to clean from the gums to the edge of the teeth, without haste.

However, if the animal has any impaired teeth, then it is best to clean them under anesthesia, because it can cause him pain. Accordingly, the cat can either scratch a person, or even bite him. To make the cleaning procedure more painless, it is best to take the nursery brush. In addition, you can use a bandage, which should be wound on a finger, and then hold them in the teeth of a pet. This is a complete cleaning will not replace, but the cat in this case will be more calm.

Summarizing, we can say that teeth for cats are no less important than for humans. Therefore, in order for them to always be healthy, you need to take care of their cleanliness. In addition, do not forget about the vitamins that will help them remain so for as long as possible.

See how to brush your cat's teeth in the next video.