is there a way to tell the cats age by there teeth?
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is there a way to tell the cats age by there teeth?
baby teeth v. adult teeth, and then for adults, by the amount of plaque and tartar build up.
You can make a pretty good estimate on a cats age by examining their teeth. When I worked at the SPCA, we used the cats teeth to determine an approximate age.
2-4 weeks
Deciduos incisors coming in.
3-4 weeks
Deciduos canines coming in.
4-6 weeks
Deciduos premolars coming in on lower jaw.
8 weeks
All deciduos teeth are in.
3 ½-4 months
Permanent incisors coming in.
4-5 months
Permanent canines, premolars and molars coming in.
5-7 months
All permanent teeth by 6 months.
1 year
Teeth white and clean.
1-2 years
Teeth may appear dull with some tartar build-up
(yellowing) on back teeth.
3-5 years
Teeth show more tartar build-up (on all teeth) and some tooth wear.
5-10 years
Teeth show increased wear and disease; pigment visible on gums.
10-15 years
Teeth are worn and show heavy tartar build-up; some teeth may be missing.
Information from: Rural Area Vet
WOW! Thanks for that list Crazy-Cat-Lover! I always wondered that too! I had bet Mike that Miss Tuxie wasn't but about 6 months old and the vets guess was 2 YEARS...... I was judging by her body, the vet judged by looking at her teeth.
Thats pretty accurtae I would say.
Tubster has fantastic teeth, very white and clean and hes about three years old.Thats amazing as he has been eating scraps and what he can catch while a Porch Cat.
I hate to think that an indoor diet will hurt his beautiful smile.
;) Great info on teeth.. Now my girls are all 4 to 5 yrs of age & indoor cats.. Their teeths are all real clean & white.. However I keep Tarter Control hard treats out for them too..