Kitten Teething Guide: Signs, Timeline, & Soothing

From munching on anything and everything, to becoming extra grouchy, the signs of a teething kitten are likely on your radar – but not all kittens react the same to this fundamental development stage.

Here are the key pieces of info to sink your teeth into to make the process easier for you and your new kitty.

Learn the teething timeline, common signs of teething, how to support your kitten through teething, and when it’s best to consult a vet.

How many teeth do cats have?

Kittens are born with no teeth, since their first source of food is their mother’s milk. Over time, they develop two sets of teeth.

Kittens will grow 26 baby teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, and 10 premolars.
They will have 30 permanent adult teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars, and 4 molars.

Do kittens lose teeth?

Yes, kittens lose all of their baby teeth. These teeth typically begin to fall out at around 12 weeks of age, and are replaced by their permanent adult teeth.

Kitten teething timeline

Keep these milestone moments in mind as your kitten moves through the teething process, and remember that some variations in timing can be normal.

• Birth: Kittens are born without any teeth.
• 2-4 weeks of age: Those little, nippy incisors will erupt.
• 3-4 weeks of age: A kitten’s canine teeth begin to come through.
• 4-8 weeks of age: Their baby teeth set becomes complete with the emergence of premolars.
• 12 weeks of age: Around this time, the baby teeth start to fall out, and adult teeth begin to erupt.
• 6 months of age: Kittens will have a full set of adult teeth.

If you want to look inside your kitten’s mouth to see which stage they’re at, but they keep squirming or running away, take note of these handy tricks to check those teeth with ease.

Signs of teething in cats

If you’re trying to play tooth fairy and can’t find those baby teeth around the house, don’t fret – kittens usually, harmlessly, swallow their baby teeth. Here are some of the common teething signs you’re likely to spot:

• Irritability: Teething kittens can display restlessness, grouchy behaviour, or pawing at their face.
• Changes in eating or appetite: The discomfort of teething can make a kitten hesitant to chew hard food.
• Persistent chewing: Kittens will bite whatever they can to help soothe their discomfort.
• Swollen or red gums: This is a normal inflammatory step in the teeth eruption phase.
• Bad breath: Known as “kitten breath,” you could ease the smell with dental cat treats, as long as they are soft enough for your kitten to chew.
• Drooling: This is a normal reaction to the discomfort of swallowing.

How to help a teething kitten

There are many ways you can follow that nurturing pet-parent instinct to support your kitten through teething.

• Switch up playtime: Be extra gentle when playing and provide soft toys for them to grab and bite. Never pull a toy from the kitten’s mouth.
• Avoid brushing their teeth: This can increase their irritation and form negative associations with teeth brushing.
• Serve softer food: If your kitten is avoiding their kibble, add warm water to it for a more palatable consistency. If they have wet food in their diet, increase that ratio in comparison to the dry.
• Move or cover hard furniture, and hazards: Limit your kitten’s access to hard chewable objects around the house, as well as dangerous items like power cords.
• Supply appropriate chew toys: Pick soft, rubber toys or those designed specifically for teething. A simple DIY option is offering your kitten a frozen, damp cloth. They’ll love it!

How to stop a kitten from biting while teething

Gentle nipping on your hands is normally just the kitten showing affection. However, during the teething phase, these nips often become bites, so it’s important to train them out of the habit and teach them what is acceptable. To do this, immediately stop play or petting when the kitten bites, and calmly leave the room. This signals that biting means no more fun and attention.

If the kitten won’t release its bite grip, gently place a towel or blanket over them and they should let go. You can also try diverting them to a toy or scratching post.

Want to check on your kitten's health and progress? Petstock Vet offers free kitten health checks and free nurse dental checks.

This Petstock article was last reviewed in June 2026. The information in this article is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual veterinary advice. Always consult your vet if you have concerns about your pet’s health.

Read more like this