Kitten Teething Tips to Reduce Discomfort and Bad Behaviours

Learn the common symptoms of kitten teething, how to help your kitten during this painful time, and everything else you need to know about kitten teething. 

A teething kitten can be a bit of a nuisance. They can be destructive and irritable, and if you don't know how to help them, they can be a menace to you and your home. Plus, no one wants to watch their kitten suffer. Our simple tips and tricks can help reduce bad kitten behaviour associated with teething.

Do Kittens Lose Their Baby Teeth?

Yes! Just like puppies and babies, kittens go through a teething process during which their baby teeth, sometimes called milk teeth, begin to fall out, and their adult teeth grow in.

Kitten teething is a natural and normal process for cats. By the time they are six months old, kittens have all their adult teeth in place. During teething, kittens will often display some of the same symptoms as human babies do when teething: drooling, chewing on items, gum sensitivity, appetite changes and irritability.

Kitten teething can be a challenging time for pet owners, especially new kitten owners, but it is important to remember that this is a natural process and will pass with time.

Kitten Teething Symptoms

If you aren’t sure if your kitten is teething, there are certain symptoms you can look out for. While every cat is different, there are a few kitten teething symptoms that are most common. These include: 

Drooling

Kittens may have increased gum sensitivity during teething, causing them to drool more than usual. While this can be concerning, it is a very normal, if not a little gross, part of the kitten teething process. 

Destructive Chewing

Your kitten may chew on furniture, fabrics, cords or other objects in an effort to relieve discomfort. This can be very frustrating, especially when the kitten chews something he isn’t supposed to. 

You might also find that your kitten wants to chew on you! Fingers and toes start to look appealing during the teething stage. One way to combat this is to proactively offer toys and other chewing devices so that your cat can get comfort.

Chewing can help reduce inflamed gums, making it very helpful for kittens who are going through teething. Check out how to Stop Your Kitten from Biting for more tips. 

Appetite Changes

Teething can often lead to decreased appetite, and weight loss as kittens don't eat enough food during this period. This can be really stressful as a pet owner because you want to see your kitten healthy and happy. Not eating can cause a host of problems, including a lack of nutrition in growing cats. 

Having a healthy diet can also promote healthy teething, so this really can feel like a catch-22. Luckily, most kittens can be coaxed to eat when given soft foods. Consider switching or giving your kitten wet food to help them get through the teething process. 

Increased Irritability

Due to the discomfort associated with teething, kittens may seem especially cranky or irritable. This is completely natural. Offer comfort when you can, and also respect your kitten’s desire to be alone at times. 

As long as she isn’t hurting herself or causing damage, this isn’t too much of a problem. We all have pain from time to time and get a bit cranky ourselves! 

Gum Sensitivity

Gums around new teeth are likely to be swollen and sore for your kitten, resulting in tenderness when touched. This can be really painful for kittens, just like it can be for baby humans. 

If you notice your kitten displaying any of these symptoms, it is likely that they are teething. If you’re wondering when do kittens start teething, you aren’t alone. It can be confusing, and every cat can be a little different. 

While there is not much you can do to completely ease the discomfort during this process, there are a few ways you can help reduce kitten teething symptoms.

What to Do When Your Kitten is Teething

Wondering what to do when your kitten is teething?

If you suspect that your kitten may be teething, there are a few things you can do to relieve discomfort.

1. Feed Wet Food - The first thing to consider is their food. If teething is causing a lot of pain in the gums, then softening your cat's food or feeding them wet food can help to encourage normal eating habits. Soften dry cat food with water, goat's milk or bone broth to make it easier to eat. Or feed a high-quality wet cat food.

2. Kitten Teething Toys - The next thing is to offer them toys. Interactive and chew toys can help to keep them busy and give them something more appropriate to sink their teeth into. Chewing on kitten teething toys or cat dental toys can help to relieve pain and frustration during teething.

3. Play More - Try to increase activity and playtime throughout the day to distract your kitten from teething discomfort. Games that you can play together, especially ones that encourage high-energy play, will tucker out your crazy kitten so they can sleep through some of their teething discomfort.

4. Numb the Pain - Offering cold or frozen treats, like sardines or frozen bone broth, can help to reduce pain and inflammation. Cats are unlikely to chew on a hard frozen treat, but something cold to chew on, like a defrosted sardine fresh out of the cold fridge, could do the trick.

5. Monitor Symptoms - Keep an eye out for abnormal behaviours during teething. If you notice excessive drooling or any other concerning behaviour, it is best to contact your veterinarian for advice. Also, keep an eye out for destructive and dangerous behaviours, like chewing on cords or wires. 

Best Kitten Teething Toys and Chews

One of the best tools for reducing destructive cat behaviours caused by kitten teething is to provide them with durable and appropriate toys and chews. You won't stop your kitten from wanting to chew, but you can direct them to the most appropriate things to chew on.

Pawbreakers MegaBonkas Edible Catnip Ball

The Pawbreakers MegaBonkas Edible Catnip Toy is a great choice for teething kittens! This ball is both a toy and catnip- all in one! Your cat will love the 100% high-quality, all-natural Pawbreakers Catnip Ball. It's made with organic catnip, and at 3.3 oz, this solid ball is safe for any cat to roll, bite, and chase. 

Teething toys with catnip are a great choice for teething kittens as they help to soothe their gums. Cats love catnip, and it's a great way to distract them from chewing on items they shouldn't be. Keep in mind not all kittens respond to catnip. If that's the case, then check out the next item.

Define Planet Silver Vine Dental Sticks

Dental sticks are a great way to help your teething kitten in more ways than one. Not only do they provide an alternative to teething on furniture or other items, but they also help promote good dental health.  

Not only that, but the chewing motion can also help soothe teething pain in kittens. One of the top recommended dental sticks for cats is Define Planet Silver Vine Dental Sticks. Not only are these dental sticks made from natural ingredients such as silver vine they also help reduce tartar buildup and freshen breath.

Just make sure you are monitoring them closely when they are using the dental sticks, as some pieces may be small enough to be a choking hazard. Never leave your kitten unattended with a cat dental chew. Check out Dental Chews for Cats for more options to soothe your teething beast. 

Catit Senses 2.0 Wellness Center

Cats are often very independent, so providing them with tools that allow them to help themselves will help to ease the teething process. After all, you can't be available to your cat 24/7, so they need an outlet to soothe teething pain when they are home alone. 

The Catit Senses 2.0 Wellness Center is a multi-purpose grooming tool. It massages, combs, and, most importantly, in this case, offers a textured nub for your teething kitten to chew. It massages and stimulates gums, encouraging movement of new adult teeth and loose baby teeth.

Pet Stages Straw-Babies Cat Dental Catnip Toys

Small kittens need small toys, which is why these adorable little straw-babies dental toys are perfect. They help to encourage positive chewing habits, especially during your kitten's teething phase. These toys offer a variety of materials that feel good on sensitive gums. 

Pet Stages Straw-Babies are the perfect size for small kittens to bat, chase, and carry. With feathers, mesh and crinkle materials, these plush cat toys provide a multi-sensory experience for kittens. 

Kong Cat Cozie Kickeroo

The Kong Cozie Kickeroo is not just an excellent toy for playful kittens, but the soft fuzzy fabric can be very comforting to gnaw on or suckle when your teething kitten's mouth hurts. This large toy is the ideal punching bag for kittens that need to get our other frustration, too.

 To encourage playtime, this toy contains a small rattle and crinkle material for some audible stimulation and contains North American Catnip. This toy is ideal for kittens that like to play rough and can be the ideal distraction for kittens that are developing painful biting habits. 

Kitten Teething FAQs

What age do kittens start teething?

Typically, this can start around 3-4 weeks when the baby teeth initially erupt, which can cause some discomfort, but the worst part of teething is closer to 12 weeks when the milk teeth start to fall out. The process is pretty fast, though! By the time your cat is six months old, she should have a full set of 30 adult teeth!

Do kittens bite a lot when teething?

Biting behaviours can become more common during kitten teething stages. While not all kittens will bite you, your soft, squishy finger may feel soothing to their tender gums. During this time, it's a good idea to redirect your kitten to more appropriate things to chew, like toys. 

Do kittens swallow their baby teeth?

Not always, but don't be concerned if they do. You may find your kitten baby teeth when they've fallen out, but if they loosen while they are eating or chewing, then more often than not, they just swallow them. This is totally safe and normal. 

Teething is Natural 

By understanding the symptoms and providing your kitten with the right toys and treats, you can make sure they stay safe and healthy while teething. With patience and a few extra precautions, the teething process will pass in no time!

If you have any questions about kitten teething or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian for professional advice. They will be able to provide the best guidance in caring for your teething kitten and ensuring that they stay healthy throughout this process.

Remember, patience is key! Kitten teething is a normal and natural process, so make sure to provide your furry friend with the proper care during this time. With the right toys and treats, your kitten will be back to their old selves in no time! Good luck!

With the right steps, you can make sure your kitten's teething period is as safe and comfortable as possible. Good luck and happy teething!