Cat’s Teeth – Hunting and tearing teeth

People usually land on a page like this after noticing their cat tearing at food, dropping kibble, or showing sudden bad breath—and wondering what “normal” feline teeth are meant to do. Teeth are tools first, and when they stop working cleanly, cats often cope quietly until pain or infection has a head start.

Cats are built for gripping, slicing, and swallowing meat in manageable strips, not for long, grinding chews. Knowing which teeth do what makes it easier to spot trouble early, understand what your vet is looking at, and choose home care that actually slows dental disease.

Cat teeth at a glance (what’s there, and why)

An adult cat typically has 30 permanent teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars arranged in a pattern that reflects a meat-based diet rather than heavy grinding.¹

In simple terms:

• Incisors (the small front teeth) help nip and tidy—scraping meat from bone, grooming, and picking up small items.
• Canines (the long “fangs”) are for gripping and puncturing prey and for holding something still during a bite.
• Premolars and molars (the “cheek teeth”) do most of the cutting work, acting like blades rather than flat grinding stones.

What “carnassial teeth” really are

Cats have specialised shearing teeth called carnassials. These are the upper fourth premolar and the lower first molar, which meet like scissors to slice meat and tendon into strips a cat can swallow.²

How cats use their teeth when hunting and eating

A cat’s bite is less about chewing and more about control and clean cutting. In a typical prey sequence, the canines anchor, the head and neck supply force and angle, and the cheek teeth shear flesh into pieces that can be swallowed with minimal grinding.²

This is why it’s normal to see a cat:

• take short, decisive bites rather than long chewing cycles
• tilt the head slightly while slicing with the back teeth
• swallow relatively large pieces (especially with soft foods)

Domestic vs wild cats: what changes (and what doesn’t)

Domestic cats and wild felids share the same basic dental plan: prominent canines and blade-like cheek teeth designed for meat. What usually differs is not the “type” of teeth, but the wear patterns and dental health pressures created by diet, lifespan, and access to veterinary care.

It’s also worth correcting a common mix-up: incisors are not the main tearing teeth. They do fine, close work at the front of the mouth; most tearing and slicing is done by the premolars and molars, especially the carnassials.²

Why sharp teeth matter (and how they fail)

Sharp edges help cats process food efficiently. When plaque and tartar build up along the gumline, the problem is less about blunt tips and more about inflamed gums, loosening teeth, and pain that changes how a cat eats.^{3, 4}

Dental disease is extremely common. In Australia, RSPCA guidance notes it’s the most common health condition affecting pets, with a large proportion of cats showing some level of dental disease by three years of age.⁴

Signs your cat’s teeth or gums may be sore

Cats often keep eating while adapting around pain. Look for small changes that persist for more than a day or two:

• bad breath that doesn’t fade
• red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• drooling (especially with blood-tinged saliva)
• dropping food, chewing on one side, or slow, careful eating
• pawing at the mouth, head shaking, or reduced grooming
• preference shifts (only soft food, or refusing dry)

These signs fit with common problems such as gingivitis and periodontal disease, which often start with plaque that mineralises into tartar (calculus).^{3, 5}

Dental care that helps (realistic home habits)

The most effective home step is removing plaque before it hardens. Without regular brushing, plaque can mineralise into tartar within roughly 36–48 hours, and once tartar is present it generally needs professional removal.⁵

Toothbrushing: what to aim for

• Daily is ideal, but even consistent brushing a few times a week is better than occasional “catch-ups”.⁶
• Use cat toothpaste only (never human toothpaste).⁶
• Focus on the outer surfaces of the teeth near the gumline—this is where plaque collects most.

Products that can support brushing (not replace it)

If brushing is difficult, ask your vet about options with evidence behind them, such as dental diets or additives assessed through recognised veterinary dental product programs.⁷

When a vet dental matters

A proper dental assessment often involves looking under the gumline, where disease can progress even when teeth look white. Professional cleaning is performed under general anaesthesia so the entire mouth can be examined and scaled safely.³

Seek veterinary advice promptly if your cat stops eating, cries out when yawning, has facial swelling, or shows ongoing bleeding gums—these are not “just bad breath” problems.

Final thoughts

A cat’s mouth is built like a compact toolkit: small incisors for fine work, long canines for grip, and sharp cheek teeth that shear meat cleanly. When that system is dulled by plaque, inflamed by gingivitis, or undermined by periodontal disease, the changes can be subtle at first—then suddenly hard to ignore. Steady home care and timely veterinary checks keep the teeth doing what they evolved to do: clean, quiet, efficient work.

References

1. Merck Veterinary Manual: Dental formulas of various animal species
2. American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC): Nomenclature and numbering of teeth
3. RSPCA Knowledgebase: How should I take care of my cat or dog’s teeth?
4. RSPCA Australia: Importance of dental health
5. VCA Animal Hospitals: Dental disease in cats
6. RSPCA Pet Insurance: Guide to cat dental care
7. VCA Animal Hospitals: Plaque and tartar prevention in cats
8. WSAVA: Global Dental Guidelines
9. RSPCA South Australia: Dental care for dogs and cats