Dental Formula - Cat

Introduction

Cats are toothless at birth. Deciduous teeth are complete and functional within 2 months of birth. Permanent teeth are complete and functional by the end of the 6th month.

Formula for deciduous teeth: 2 (i3/3 c1/1 p3/2)

Formula for permanent teeth: 2 (I3/3 C1/1 P3/2 M1/1)

Incisors

Cats have six incisors in the maxilla and six in the mandible.

Canines

There is one canine tooth in each quadrant of the mouth. These teeth have a single root.

Premolars

Cats have three premolars in the maxilla and two in the mandible on each side.

The maxillary 1st premolar is normally missing and the 2nd premolar is very small and often not visible. The 3rd maxillary premolar is present. The 4th premolar is termed the carnassial tooth.

The mandibular 1st and 2nd premolars are normally missing. The 3rd and 4th premolars are present.

Molars

Cats have one molar in each quadrant of the mouth. The maxillary molars form a grinding surface. The mandibular molars are called the carnassial teeth.

A decrease in the number of molars leaves the cat with a shearing bite, rather than wider cusps for grinding.

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  Image from Aspinall, The Complete Textbook of Veterinary Nursing, Elsevier Health Sciences, All rights reserved

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  Feline Dentition - Copyright Nottingham 2008

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