My cat lost a tooth is this normal???

**shortcake** · 01-13-2008, 05:00 PM

I looked at my cat earlier and he looked funny. When I took a closer look I saw that one the long tooth on the bottom right was sticking out over his lip. At first I thought he just didn't close his mouth properly. Then I saw it was in a weird possition. I touched it and it was loose but still holding on. So I kept watch on him. He went to eat and I saw him trying to swallow his food without chewing. So I decided it had to come out. I think if he could of thanked me he would of. If was as if he was releived. I thought he would put up a fight but instead he seamed happy once it was done, I guess it was really bothering him. I applied presure with a tissue and it stopped bleeding quickly and I didn't see any infection or anything.

Is it normal for cats to loose these big teeth? I have had cats all my life and none of them have ever lost their teeth. Any experts or vets out there?

**Darlene** · 01-13-2008, 05:04 PM

I know kittens do. Glad you were there to help you furbaby out.

**shortcake** · 01-13-2008, 05:13 PM

Well he is no kitten he is about 8 and weighs between 15-20 lbs. could it be old age? Will I have to get him dentures

**mom2bobsarah** · 01-13-2008, 05:58 PM

Since he is 8 I would say check with your vet, it could be a deficiency of some sort or sickness. I hope all is ok. Be careful with the hard kibble because your kitty may end up throwing it up if he cannot chew it well and making a mess for you to clean up. You could feed him canned or moisten the hard food with a little water or broth. Good luck.

**shortcake** · 01-13-2008, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by mom2bobsarah

Since he is 8 I would say check with your vet, it could be a deficiency of some sort or sickness. I hope all is ok. Be careful with the hard kibble because your kitty may end up throwing it up if he cannot chew it well and making a mess for you to clean up. You could feed him canned or moisten the hard food with a little water or broth. Good luck.

That's what I just did, I added some water to his food to soften it a bit. I don't want him eating without chewing. I will slowly wean him off this week and see how it goes. I hope it's not a sign of something serious.

**Marie78** · 01-13-2008, 06:40 PM

I hope he'll be okay. I have heard of kittens losing teeth, not sure about older cats. We've had several cats over the years and I don't remember them losing any teeth that I noticed. Let us know how things go.

**Missy** · 01-13-2008, 06:45 PM

I think it wuold be prudent to talk t o his vet.

**shortcake** · 01-13-2008, 06:56 PM

Well he just went and ate and is acting normally so far so I think he is OK. I will keep an eye on him and call an expert tomorrow to make sure.

**bRATmom** · 01-13-2008, 07:50 PM

you should take him to the vet and have all his teeth checked. An animal cant tell you when they are in pain, its in thier nature (even household animals) to hide the pain as its a sign of weekness and they are then preyed upon.

animals, like humans should have a dr exam yearly, have thier ears, eyes nose and teeth checked.

my oldest cat (15) has lost a few teeth now... he eats soft food most of the time and dry food when he wants. Enzymes in the tummy will break down food that is swallowed whole.

**shortcake** · 01-13-2008, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by bRATmom

you should take him to the vet and have all his teeth checked. An animal cant tell you when they are in pain, its in thier nature (even household animals) to hide the pain as its a sign of weekness and they are then preyed upon.

animals, like humans should have a dr exam yearly, have thier ears, eyes nose and teeth checked.

my oldest cat (15) has lost a few teeth now... he eats soft food most of the time and dry food when he wants. Enzymes in the tummy will break down food that is swallowed whole.

Did your cat loose his teeth due to age or a health problem? I said he was eight but now that I think of it he is between 9 and 10. We have had him 9 years and he was approx 9 to 12 months when we addopted him. We don't know his exact date of birth because he was a stray cat that was born outside that we took in.

**faw42077** · 01-13-2008, 09:00 PM

I hope he is ok

I also have seen kitten lose their teeth but none of our many adult cats over the years have ever lost any

**tina150** · 01-13-2008, 09:16 PM

I had my cat for 19 years and he never lost a tooth, he did have to have some pulled though because he broke one once, got infected and when they got in there to fix that one they found more that were bad, he ended up having 4 teeth pulled

But he seemed a lot better after that, I think he was in pain...

**Critter** · 01-14-2008, 12:00 AM

My cat Smokey lost one of his teeth and he is fine. It just happens the vet said he said if he stops eating because he can't then something would have to be done to help him but he eats can and dry and is fine. I did notice I had to goto smaller dry food but he is doing great. Eating, playing and having a good time. But call your vet and ask but Smokey is fine and he has been this way for about 4 months or so now and no problems with eating or anything. Just went to smaller dry food nuggets (Cat Chow indoor is what I got) and I have been giving him and Felix both can (but they have gotten that all along for years).

**qtkitty** · 01-14-2008, 02:35 AM

Some animals do loose their teeth when they get older, just like some humans do. It can be painful while they are coming out, but once they are out and all infection is gone then animals can actually use their gums and jaw pressure to chew at food.

Although wet food may be tempting, unless the cat has no or very few teeth giving a majority wet diet can make the remaining teeth go bad faster since hard food actually scrapes the tartar buildup off the teeth.

Having a vet do an oral exam might not be a bad idea your cat may have other problem teeth that need to be adressed. Plus while your there you can ask about feeding and the detal health of your cat. Teeth scraping, pullings, ect under mild anestesia may be the only way to help expecially if your cat has not had its teeth brushed regularly ( of course i do not know many owners who brush their cats teeth .. expecially in old age cats tend to get pissy about that .. or pissy in general only wanting to be touched when they are ready to be touched; Dogs tend to be a LOT easier to brush mostly because their mouth is bigger in most cases )

I have known several cats, not all mine who have lost teeth in their older age and a few who had no teeth at all. I also worked at a vets office on a voluntary basis for HS credit and then fun. I saw tons of older animals getting their teeth scraped or pulled under mild anesteshia.

**shortcake** · 01-14-2008, 07:59 AM

I have to say he is such a happy camper this morning that I think he is happy it is out. He is eating and playing and his joyful self. If I go by past behaviour when he was sick we could tell by the way he was acting. I will still inquire to make sure everything is OK.

Critter the middle cat on your picture looks exactly like our Oreo. The only difference is that Oreo has a bit more white on his face. Oh and mine is a bit chubbier, ha! ha!

Here is a picture of him playing in the Xmas paper, he loves bags, paper and boxes.

Thanks everyone for your answers.