What Age do Kittens Start Teething?

Kitten Teething: What To Do and Need To Know

Kitten teething stars when they are about 3 or 4 weeks of age. The first cat teeth that come out are the incisors and primary canine teeth.

Kittens lose their decisions teeth and grow new adult teeth. This phase lasts until they are around 6 months of age.

Kitten teething can be painful or at least uncomfortable. It is up to cat parents to provide relief and make the kitten teething process easier.

How do I know My Kitten is Teething?

When your feline friend is replacing its baby teeth (also called milk teeth) with adult teeth (called deciduous teeth), you can tell by identifying these signs of kitten teething:

  • Decreased Appetite. Kitten teething is painful, so they may choose not to eat kibble or other hard kitten food in order to avoid the pain.
  • Excessive Chewing. If your kitten chews on itself or items more than normal, they are likely teething and may need some kitten teething toys.
  • Sore Gums. Just like with human babies, cat teething naturally causes sore, red gums. If you notice this during regular dental care, your kitten is likely teething.
  • Slight Bleeding of the Gums. Tooth brushing can cause bleeding gums, but kitten teething is another common cause of this symptom.
  • Irritability. Growing permanent teeth is difficult for kittens, so they may not be in the mood for playtime during the teething process. They may even meow frequently to express their poor mood.
  • Pawing at the Mouth. As new teeth begin to come in, new kittens may paw at their mouths in response. This is a normal sign of your kitten’s baby teeth being replaced.
  • Drooling. Teething kittens may drool while teething, as keeping their mouth open can reduce the pain in their swollen gums.
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Petstages Dental Kitty Chew Wheel Catnip Cat Toy
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  • Made with fabric streamers and durable, food safe rubber that is gentle on the gums and satisfying to bite.
  • Infused with catnip oil to attract and keep your kitty energetically engaged during play.
  • Its rubber material and spokes helps remove tartar and keep your kitty's teeth clean as they chew, chase, carry, and play.

Do Kittens Bite a Lot When Teething?

Yes, kitten teething causes kittens to chew on anything that might relieve their pain. Be sure to provide your new kitten with chew toys to help them through the teething process.

How Can I Soothe My Teething Kitten?

Kitten Teething: What To Do and Need To Know

Kitten teething can be made easier with these cat dental care products.

Petstages Dental Kitty Chew Wheel Catnip Cat Toy. This chew toy is perfect for kittens that are teething, or that simply need some extra dental care. The soft, yet durable rubber is shaped to fit between kitten teeth to remove tartar & plaque, and prevent gingivitis, as well as reduce irritation from teething.

The fabric streams are attached and allow playing fetch or just keeping your kitten interested. The toy is infused with catnip to encourage them to chew on it rather than something else.

Pet Craft Supply Cactus Interactive Cat Chew Toy. Designed for both teething kittens and adult cats, this chew toy offers playtime, teething relief, and dental care all at once. The fun cactus shape lets cats of all sizes enjoy chewing on one of the sides while the little nubs rub against teeth to clear plaque and keep teeth healthy.

A pocket in the back lets pet parents add catnip in a bag to get their cat even more excited to play. Plus, if your teething kitten drools all over the toy or makes a mess of the catnip, this chew toy can be easily washed by hand or in the dishwasher.

Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick Dental Cat Chew Toy. This cute chew toy is another option for kittens with sore gums. The soft fabric is covered in a thin mesh that can satisfy a kitten’s need to chew and even help keep their permanent teeth clean once they come in.

The center is scented with mint to freshen your cat’s bad breath, and the ends have crinkle material to entice kitties. The lightweight design is easy to bat and carry around, especially for adult cats, so your kitten can enjoy this chew toy long after they’ve lost their baby teeth.

WoLover Silvervine Molar Chew Sticks. A natural wood solution, this durable catnip stick chew toy effectively helps teething kittens soothe their sore gums and satisfy their urge to chew. Adult cats will also enjoy this chew toy and the health benefits it offers.

Cats are naturally attracted to catnip sticks, so it’s easy for them to enjoy the dental care boost and help with hairball removal just by chewing. The tough chew toy can also improve your kitten’s mood, which is great for when they feel irritable due to teething.

Petstages Jack Catnip Oil Infused Cat Chew Toy. This durable chew toy offers teething kittens a textured surface to rub their teeth and gums against. The smooth rubber has four sides so that kittens can easily get their mouths around it.

Each side also has small pockets, perfect for adding catnip inside to encourage kitties to get their chewing urges out. Light and colorful adult cats and new kittens alike will love playing with this chew toy through teething and more.

Pioneer Pet Nip Nibblers Catnip Toy. This catnip toy is packed with irresistible smells that cats love. The soft, long chew toy is perfect for teething kittens to both chew and scratch with their back legs, giving them plenty of stimulation.

The simple design is easy for cats to sink their teeth into and light enough for them to bat or swat at their toy. The bright colors entice kittens and adult cats to play, helping them to spend playtime with toys rather than furniture.

In addition to these cat dental products, the kitten teething phase can be supported by:

  • Using Wet Food instead of Kibble. For pets that are having a tough kitten teething process and aren’t eating their kibble, providing them with wet food is a good idea. Waiting for their milk teeth to be replaced by adult teeth can take a while, so changing the cat food your kitten has to eat is the best way to ensure they get enough calories and nutrients.
  • Giving Ice Cube Treats. Ice cubes are a common solution for human babies that are teething, but the benefits can be applied to kittens as well. The cold ice helps to reduce swelling and irritation on sore gums, providing some relief to your kitten. Your feline friend may even like this type of treat as an adult cat on hot summer days. Ice cube treats are the easiest way to soothe your teething kitten.

How Long does Kittens Teething Last?

Kitten teething usually ends by the time a kitten is 6 months of age. Most often, the baby teeth with be replaced by a full set of adult teeth before they are 6 months old.