I found 2 teeth on the floor and then looked in her mouth and she was missing 3 or 4 or the teeth in the back of her mouth!! can cats live with missing teeth???
2007-01-03 20:30:31 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Yes... cats can live without their teeth. Obviously, such cats will favor soft moisr foods, but toothless cats can eat small dry kibble by swallowing them whole. My cat has had 4 extractions (both upper fangs and two lower pre-molars). He eats like a glutton (both moist and dry) and is happier now than when he had those 4 troublesome teeth. Your 12 year old may have periodontal disease (when plaque and tartar build up infect the gums and roots of teeth) or tooth recension (when the root of the cat's tooth is inexplicably absorbed back into the cat's system. At any rate, it will be a good idea if you took your cat to the vet to have his mouth checked. In my opinion, it is much better for kitty to be toothless than to have to put up with tooth abscess, infection and toothache.
2007-01-04 00:54:09 · answer #1 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes cats can live with missing teeth. Switch to soft food in the meanwhile and get your cat to the vet to determine if there is an underlying illness. It could just be that she's getting old. She may have gingivitis (i'm not kidding). If you still have a lot of hard food left and have no one to give it away to, water it down so it's easier to eat.
2007-01-03 20:51:02 · answer #2 · answered by Tellin' U Da Truth! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats, like people, are perfectly capable of living with a few missing teeth. However it could be a sign of something more serious, and I recommend you take your cat in for a checkup pronto. A routine cleaning on your cats teeth is probably long overdue.
2007-01-03 20:35:13 · answer #3 · answered by P.I. Joe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom's cat, who is 13, has had all her teeth pulled by our vet because of gum disease. She's been without her teeth for about 6-7 years. She eats canned food. You would never know has no teeth. Your cat's poor dental condition is probably very uncomfortable, talk to your vet about a complete tooth-ectomy.
2007-01-03 20:36:36 · answer #4 · answered by ihave5katz 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a cat that has the same problem. You should probably take her to the vet and see if there is an infection in her gums. Also, use moist cat food because that is probably all she can eat. That is all my cat can eat. If she won't eat, I don't know what to tell you other than I am so sorry that this has happened to your cat.
2007-01-03 20:33:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Switch her to soft foods and consult your vet. Make sure there's no underlying cause for the sudden loss of teeth, but if it's just age, she'll be okay with a diet that doesn't require as much chewing.
2007-01-03 20:34:16 · answer #6 · answered by KyLeth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well they might have difficulty eating
but she is a oold cat so the best thing you could do is to take her to the vet and say that your is seems to be losing a couple of its teeth and what can you do about this etc
2007-01-03 22:55:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start planning on feeding the cat very soft food. Check with your vet also.
2007-01-03 21:24:32 · answer #8 · answered by demilspencer@yahoo.com 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ummm take her to the vet....it could be a sign of kidney disease or stomatitis where the gums become very inflammed and painful. no matter take her to the vet in the morning.
2007-01-03 21:08:40 · answer #9 · answered by cagney 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's 12 you say? I would consider putting her down, she can't eat without teeth.
2007-01-03 20:33:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋