Our Expert Guide to Kitten Teething

The kitten teething stage can certainly be stressful for owners. Unfortunately even the tiniest teeth can be extremely sharp…

To help you keep your cat as comfortable as can be, here is all you need to know about kitten teething.

When do kittens teeth?

The very first emergence of teeth happens at around 3 weeks. Kittens will get their baby teeth while they are still with their mother.

The real fun comes later when the milk teeth begin falling out and are replaced with adult teeth. This typically occurs at around 9 weeks old, so normally once your purring bundle of fur is settling into their new home.

This teething period can continue until they are around 6 months old. By this point, they should have all their adult teeth.

Signs of Teething

Some typical signs of teething are:

• Sore red gums

• Slightly bleeding gums

• Change in appetite.

• Less grooming

Any of these symptoms can occur, however the most likely thing to happen is your little kitty starts to get their mouth around anything they can. Cats can be quite the chewers, anything from socks to cables to fingers can fall victim to their teeth.

How Can I Support My Teething Kitten?

Luckily there is much you can do to help kittens with the discomfort of teething and prevent them from getting their teeth on things they shouldn’t.

1) Use Kitten Safe Chews

Chewing is normal and natural; kittens must chew to strengthen their adult teeth and alleviate pain and discomfort. So, providing them with chews is essential.

Try using King Catnip Dental Stalks and remember to offer them a wide variety of toys to get their teeth into. Supervise your feline friend anytime they are chewing.

2) Distract your Kitten!

Give your kitty plenty to do, and they will have less time for chomping on your toes and fingers.

Cats need both mental and physical stimulation and without enough, they are more likely to get stuck into things they shouldn’t. Play with your kitten every day as this is important for reducing boredom and teaching your cat to use their natural hunting abilities.

Watch our Guide to Playing with Cats video for handy tips!

3) Put their toys in the freezer

Hear me out, I know this sounds strange, but it can be a great way to soothe their gums and is something we already tend to do with puppies.

Sponge balls are brilliant for this and tend to be a favourite for kittens. Pop a few sponge toys in the freezer, long enough to cool them down but not long enough to be entirely frozen. Throw around a few and watch your cat enjoy soothing their sore mouth.

Remember it is so worthwhile desensitising your cat to the feeling of you touching their teeth and mouth. This will make future vet trips and cleaning much easier! Cats are likely to be a bit sore as they begin the process of teething but can still be touched if you are gentle and go at their own pace.

When your kitty is relaxed, try gently lifting their lips and touching their teeth. After touching praise your cat and if needed give them a tiny healthy treat. The trick is to build up their acceptance and confidence day by day by making every session positive.

After more cat content? Read our Kitten Nutrition blog.