cat teeth

Do My Cat’s Gums Look Normal? Here’s How to Tell

Diane Weinmann Animal Health, animal hospice , , ,

By PetWellbeing

When your cat yawns, you might get a brief glimpse at what’s going on in their mouth. After taking a peek, cat owners often ask themselves, “Are my cat’s gums normal?”

The eyes might be the window to the soul, but the gums are the window to your cat’s oral health. Cats are masters at hiding illness, so inspecting the gums is a good place to start—if they let you!

If your cat is okay with it, check their gums on a regular basis to detect potential health concerns.

Traits of healthy cat gums

Gums with the following characteristics indicate your kitty is in good health.

  • Pink color: Healthy cat gums are light pink in color. The ideal shade of pink is one that’s neither too bright nor too pale. Some cats, particularly black and orange ones, naturally have black or spotted gums. This is normal as long as the gums have been black their whole life. Double check with a vet to make sure black is a normal color for your cat’s gums.
  • Slippery and wet: When you run a finger along your cat’s gums, they should feel slippery and coated in saliva. This is a good indicator that your kitty is well hydrated.
  • Smooth texture: Healthy cat gums should feel smooth, not bumpy. Some cats develop black or brown spots that look like freckles as they get older. Pigmentation is a normal part of the aging process for some senior kitties so long as the gums still have a smooth texture.

Unhealthy gums and their diseases

Schedule a trip to the vet if you notice any of these abnormal characteristics.

  • Red or bright pink gums: Redness indicates the presence of gingivitis when it appears around teeth or along the gum line. Gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease, in which case the entire gum line will look either red or bright pink. Gums that suddenly change to these colors could mean your cat is experiencing heat stroke. Heat stroke can quickly turn fatal and requires an immediate trip to the vet.
  • Gums growing over teeth: Pet parents should be concerned if their cat’s teeth look like they’re sinking below the gum line. This is a clear sign of a dental disease called tooth resorption. Tooth resorption occurs when a tooth slowly deteriorates and gets absorbed back into the jaw bone. It’s a long, painful process that most older cats experience at some point in their life.
  • Dry or tacky gums: Your cat’s gums shouldn’t feel sticky or dry to the touch. If that’s the case, your cat might be severely dehydrated. This symptom sometimes appears along with the redness associated with heat stroke. Encourage your kitty to drink lots of water right away. If the gum’s moisture doesn’t return to normal, you’ll need to visit an emergency clinic, where vets can rehydrate your cat.
  • Blue, purple or gray gums: All of these colors are cause for immediate concern. Gums that have paled into a blue, purple or gray hue indicate your cat isn’t getting enough oxygen. This could be due to pneumonia or a blockage in the wind pipe. Don’t wait a second longer—these colors require immediate medical attention!
  • White or pale pink gums: While blue indicates a lack of oxygen, white or pale pink gums mean your kitty has poor blood circulation. It’s possible their body isn’t producing enough red blood cells, but these colors could also be a warning sign for internal bleeding. Most cats who recently sustained an injury will exhibit white or pale pink gums. Check with your vet for a proper diagnosis.
  • Bumps, craters or lesions: A bumpy gum texture usually indicates that something’s wrong. Cats develop bumps or lesions on their gums for a variety of reasons. In some cases, the bumps are malignant tumors associated with oral cancer. This is especially true if the bumps are quite painful. Gums that are pockmarked with craters or open sores could mean your kitty has a bacterial infection caused by poor dental hygiene. No matter the cause, anything other than a smooth texture warrants a trip to the vet.

If your cat seems off, their gums are the first place to look. A change in color, texture or moisture can speak volumes about your kitty’s health. While unhealthy gums can indicate a problem, pet parents shouldn’t jump to conclusions about what their cats may or may not be experiencing. Abnormal gum characteristics are your cue to visit a vet clinic where the experts can accurately determine the proper next steps.

DO CATS LOSE THEIR TEETH??

Diane Weinmann Animal Health , , ,

DO CATS LOSE THEIR TEETH??

By: Laci Schaible, DVM, CVJ as seen in PetMD

 

Should you worry if your cat loses a tooth? Is it normal?

 

It depends on whether you’re talking about a kitten or an adult cat. Here’s a closer look at kitten and cat teeth so you’ll know when tooth loss is normal and when you need to visit the vet.

 

Do Kittens Lose Their Baby Teeth?

 

Like humans and all other domestic animals, cats do go through two sets of teeth throughout their lives—kitten teeth and adult cat teeth.

 

Kitten Teeth

 

At only a few weeks of age, kittens will begin to get their baby teeth, which are also called “milk teeth” or deciduous teeth.

 

The incisors—the small front teeth—are the first to erupt at 2-4 weeks of age. The premolars—larger teeth towards the back of the mouth—are the last to appear at 5-6 weeks of age, for a total of 26 baby teeth.

 

Kitten Teeth
Type of Tooth # Upper Teeth # Lower Teeth Age of Eruption

(weeks)

 Function
Incisors 6 6 3-4 Grasping
Canines 2 2 3-4 Tearing
Premolars 6 4 5-6 Grinding
Molars 0 0 —- Grinding

 

Adult Cat Teeth

 

Around 4-7 months of age, permanent (adult) teeth will start replacing the baby teeth.

 

You may never even see the teeth as your kitten loses them, as they are often lost during mealtime or through play.

 

Long before their first birthday, your growing kitten should have 30 permanent teeth. Barring injury or oral disease, these should keep your kitty chewing into old age.

 

Adult Cat Teeth
Type of Tooth # Upper Teeth # Lower Teeth Age of Eruption

(months)

 Function
Incisors 6 6 3.5-4.5 Grasping
Canines 2 2 5 Tearing
Premolars 6 4 4.5-6 Grinding
Molars 2 2 4-5 Grinding

 

What If Kittens Don’t Lose Their Baby Teeth?

 

The most commonly encountered tooth problem in kittens is the retention of baby teeth.

 

If the baby teeth are not lost when the corresponding permanent teeth are coming in, it can result in abnormal tooth position and bite, tartar and plaque buildup, and even abscesses.

 

But there are typically no complications if retained baby teeth are removed promptly by a veterinarian.

 

Is It Normal for Adult Cats to Lose Teeth?

 

It’s not normal for adult cats to lose any teeth.

 

In adult cats, dental disease can start to escalate, and tooth loss can occur in cats suffering from severe dental issues.

 

Dental Disease and Tooth Loss in Adult Cats

 

While cats do not develop cavities like humans do, this does not make them exempt from dental disease and tooth loss.

 

In fact, dental disease is such a common feline ailment that approximately two-thirds of cats over 3 years of age have some degree of dental disease. Of course, not all tooth loss is caused by dental disease, and not all dental disease results in tooth loss.

 

As with humans, cats accumulate bacterial plaque on the surface of their teeth. If the plaque is not removed quickly, it becomes mineralized to form tartar and calculus.

 

If dental disease is caught at an early stage, a thorough dental scaling and polishing may be able to save most of your cat’s teeth.

 

However, if gingivitis is allowed to persist untreated, then irreversible damage to the bone and ligaments that support the tooth will lead to excessive tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss.

 

If you notice that your adult cat is missing a tooth, or you find a cat tooth around your house, please seek veterinary care, as this is a major sign of painful dental disease.

 

 

By: Laci Schaible, DVM, CVJ