Cat Tooth Loss: All Nine Lives. But Fewer Teeth?
Teeth are essential for eating, speaking and playing; they're also essential for maintaining a human or feline's health and appearance. When we humans smile at our pets, we see rows of perfect teeth. But our pets don't always have perfect teeth- some have malpositioned teeth, gum disease or tooth loss. Understanding how cat tooth loss affects the cat's nine lives is key to ensuring our feline friends remain happy and healthy throughout their lives.
Tooth loss occurs in cats at an alarming rate. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), about 60 percent of cats in the United States experience tooth decay by the age of three. Tooth loss can be a serious problem if it occurs early enough in a cat's life. Teeth are an integral part of a cat's physical structure; losing teeth early makes it hard for the cat to eat, drink, speak and eat and drink without problems. In this case, tooth loss has adverse effects on both humans and cats.
Human caretakers must be aware of unhealthy tooth conditions so the cat can still eat, drink and stay healthy. Unhealthy teeth can make it harder for the cat to hunt and for humans to care for it. Furthermore, if a cat loses its teeth, it must find food somewhere else other than on your plate or counter. Cat dental disease is not readily apparent to humans. They often do not recognize improper chewing as a problem until teeth are already falling out or being replaced with implants or natural tooth fallouts.
Most cats replace missing teeth with dental implants or natural tooth fallouts. However, some cats do not replace their lost teeth and instead hide them away. This behavior is referred to as gingival crypts; cats typically hide their missing teeth away from view inside their mouths. The cat's behavior may seem strange, but it is a natural response to the stress associated with tooth loss- especially early in life.
Our pets are very intelligent creatures who experience normal emotional responses to stress. Their tooth loss is an indicator of poor dental health and can be remedied by dental checkups and replacement procedures. Since cats replace their teeth in similar ways, we must also be aware of their dental health so we can provide proper care when necessary.
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