Do Cats Or Dogs Have More Teeth?

Dogs have more teeth than cats. Dogs have a total of 42 adult teeth and 28 temporary teeth (baby/milk teeth), whereas cats have a total of 30 adult teeth and 26 temporary teeth (baby/milk teeth).

Comparison: Dog Teeth vs Cat Teeth

• Puppy teeth vs Kitten Teeth
• Incisors and canines of puppy vs kitten
• Adult dog teeth vs adult cat teeth
• Permanent teeth of dogs vs cats
• Sharpness of canines in dogs vs cats
• Risks with dogs teeth vs cats teeth
• Dental problems in dogs vs cats

Puppy Teeth Vs Kitten Teeth

Puppies have 32 deciduous (or baby) teeth and are evenly distributed between the upper and lower jaws: two canines, six incisors, and eight premolars.

Kittens consist of 26 deciduous (baby) teeth: Two canines, six incisors, and six molars are found in the upper jaw, whereas two canines, six incisors, and four molars are found in the lower jaw.

Incisors And Canines Of Puppy Vs Kitten

Puppy incisors and canines are identical to adult dog incisors and canines, but they are significantly sharper, as discussed in this post. Since these pointed teeth pinch, the dog’s mother doesn’t allow the developing puppies to suckle for a longer time, which further helps to start weaning.

The incisors and canines of kittens are similar to adult teeth, although they are much more pointed. The mother cat starts weaning her kittens when their teeth grow to minimize the pain while feeding them. ^[1]

Adult Dog Teeth Vs Adult Cat Teeth

Adult dogs have a total of 42 teeth: two canines, six incisors, eight premolars, and four molars on the top jaw; two canines, six incisors, eight premolars, and six molars on the bottom jaw.

Adult cats have a total of 30 teeth: two canines, six incisors, six premolars, and two molars on the top jaw; two canines, six incisors, four premolars, and two molars on the bottom jaw.

Note: Dogs are more likely to have abscessed teeth than cats. ^[2]

Permanent Teeth Of Dogs Vs Cats

Dogs start having permanent (adult) teeth during 16 and 24 weeks of age. The wear patterns of a dog’s teeth can be helpful to determine the age of the dog. ^[3]

Cats grow their permanent teeth between 20 to 24 weeks of age. Unlike dogs, a cat’s actual age cannot be determined just by its teeth.

Sharpness Of Canines In Dogs Vs Cats

The canines, or fangs, or eye teeth are the sharpest whenever a dog tears apart anything. Adult incisors have a shape similar to a cloverleaf and are a bit small. The size and number of molars vary with the size of the dog.

Cats’ canines are exceptionally sharp and more visible than dogs. Their Incisors are small teeth that contribute to the removal of dirt from their haircoat during the brushing routine. Unlike dogs, cat’s premolars and molars are not flat.

Risks With Dogs Teeth Vs Cats Teeth

Cats’ teeth are at a high risk to develop resorptive lesions. These are holes or decay in the tooth enamel, which is quite painful. In most cases, the damaged tooth must be removed.

Dogs’ teeth are at risk of fracturing or falling. It generally occurs as a result of biting on hard objects such as antlers or bones. Broken teeth sometimes require medical attention.

Dental Problems In Dogs Vs Cats

Dogs are prone to have swelling in gums and pulling them apart from their teeth. That’s the reason dogs having dental problems frequently have loose teeth, or they fall off.

Cats having gum problems are more likely to have dark red gums that can dissolve in their teeth. They can also suffer from stomatitis and resorptive lesions, which can cause pain in teeth and swollen gums. ^[4]

Conclusion

So, which has more teeth a cat or a dog? Dogs have more teeth than cats. The functions of various teeth vary. Some are needed to thoroughly chew food, whereas others are required to rip meat apart. It is crucial to maintain the dental health of both cats and dogs.