Teething. Whether a mother to human children or “mommy” to your fur children, teething is not a pleasant time in any household. Because of the age involved in teething, little ones cannot tell a parent or caregiver where it hurts, but the evidence of little teeth buds in a baby’s mouth is a dead giveaway. And, believe it or not, kittens are much the same, right down to not being able to tell us where it hurts.
Kitten Teething Stages
Kittens are born without teeth, and their set of 26 baby teeth “begin erupting around three weeks of age, and are usually fully in between six and eight weeks of age.”1
The second teething stage begins between three and four months of age and lasts two to three months. The first teeth are the incisors, or front teeth, which are followed by the canine teeth. The last permanent teeth to erupt are the premolars and molars.1 A normal feline will have 30 permanent adult teeth.
Signs of Teething1
1. Kittens may be reluctant to eat; chew differently, prefer soft foods. Drooling can also occur if teeth are missing or recently lost.
2. Excessive chewing may occur. Fortunately, kittens are not as aggressive as puppies, but chewing eases the pressure from erupting teeth.1
3. Kittens may shake their heads or paw at their muzzles, a very clear indication of where the discomfort is.
4. Because there is mild discomfort, some kittens may become grumpy and may not want their faces touched. Grooming them may mean additional irritation for those already sensitive gums.
How Can We Help a Teething Kitten?
This story is from the February 2024 edition of Cat Talk.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2024 edition of Cat Talk.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
No Kitten! Cats Are Part of the Military!
Felines have graced the decks of boats and ships back nearly to the beginning of time, roaming freely on passenger ships, war vessels, and merchant schooners, keeping vermin at bay.
Feline Summer Movie Fun!
School is almost OUT! Huzzah! But raindrops are plunking against the window, the amusement and water parks haven’t opened yet, camping is out, and roasted hot dogs and S’mores are another month away.
Kittens Are Special...
...and so are some of the show rules for them:
Genetic Pleiotropy and the Risks in Breeding Recessive Mutations
Nearly everyone loves what’s rare and unique. A slight defect in the minting process of a coin can create a demand and a value well beyond the face value of the coin. The coin is functionally no different than its perfectly minted counterpart, but its scarcity and uniqueness alone make it more desirable than the rest.
Good Things Come To Those Who Wait
Most new pet owners can hardly wait to get their new kitten home. How to explain why most breeders wait until the kitten is older? | Let's take a look at WHY breeders delay, and why new owners will be happier in the long run that they did.
Who's That Kitten?
Your queen has successfully delivered her litter!
Kittens & Worms
You have settled in for the evening with your soft, sleepy kitten. As you rub her, you notice that her belly is large, round, and squishy.
GESTATION What Is Normal & What Influences Gestation.?
About 46.5 million households in the United States report owning cats in 2024.
Preparing Kittens For the Show Hall
Socializing kittens and making sure they are confident for their new family is only a part of the job description for a show breeder.
Library Cats felis cattus bibliotheca
Introduction - The Middle Ages, sometimes referred to as “The Dark Ages,” spanned approximately one thousand years, between 479 AD and 1450 AD. This time period is not generally considered to have been friendly to anyone, human nor animal, but it was especially hostile toward felines. Ignorance of knowledge and science was rampant among the majority of the population, with the ability to read limited to clerics and the wealthy. Myths, legends, and galliard songs spread widely throughout Europe as people migrated from place to place, searching for food and a safe habitat. Fear of the unknown and the unexplainable, particularly of witches and their cat familiars, was spread not only by the stories and songs, but by the Popes themselves. Without touching on the atrocities of medieval times, let us just say it was not the best time to be a cat.
