A kitten goes from being a toothless newborn to having a full set of 30 adult teeth in about 7 months, which is a lot of dental construction for such a small mouth. Because it happens on a fairly predictable schedule, teeth are one of the best ways to estimate age when a kitten shows up without a backstory.
This guide walks through what each stage looks like, with reference images you can compare to your kitten’s mouth, plus the other developmental signs that can help you narrow down their age.
Kitten Age by Teeth Chart
Use this chart as your starting point, then check the detailed sections below for what each stage looks like.
| Age | Teeth Visible | Other Signs |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 weeks | None. Gums smooth and pink. | Eyes closed or just opening, ears folded, crawling only, nursing |
| 2–4 weeks | Tiny incisors breaking through the front gums | Eyes open (cloudy blue), ears starting to unfold, wobbly standing |
| 4–6 weeks | All incisors in, canines erupting at the corners | Eyes still blue, walking, playing, starting to try wet food |
| 6–8 weeks | Full set of 26 baby teeth including premolars | Eyes may start shifting from blue, weaned or nearly weaned, running, climbing |
| 3–4 months | Baby teeth loose or missing, permanent incisors coming in | Adult eye color usually settled, around 3–4 lbs, very active, may drool or chew more |
| 4–6 months | Permanent canines and premolars replacing baby teeth | Losing kitten look, hitting 5–6 lbs |
| 6–7 months | Full set of 30 permanent teeth, white and sharp | Nearly adult size and shape |
What Do Kitten Teeth Look Like at Each Age?
Newborn to 2 Weeks: No Teeth
A kitten with completely smooth gums and no visible teeth is almost certainly under 2 weeks old. At this age their eyes are usually closed or just starting to crack open, and their ears are still folded flat against the head.
They can’t walk yet, just crawl and wiggle. Food comes entirely from their mother or a bottle.
2 to 4 Weeks: Tiny Incisors Emerging
The first teeth to appear are the incisors, the small flat teeth at the front. They come in around 3 weeks and are easy to miss because they’re barely larger than a grain of rice. You may only see them if the kitten yawns or opens their mouth wide.
The eyes are open but still cloudy and unfocused, and the ears are starting to unfold. The kitten can wobble around on their feet but tips over easily, and they’re still nursing.
4 to 6 Weeks: Canines and Full Incisors
By 5 weeks, the pointed canine teeth start pushing through at the corners of the mouth. These are the classic little fangs that give kittens their sharp bite. The incisors are usually fully in by now too.
Kittens at this stage start acting more like small cats. They walk properly, pounce at things, and take a real interest in solid food. Their eyes are still the muted blue of a young kitten. Weaning usually begins around this stage.
6 to 8 Weeks: Full Set of Baby Teeth
By 6 to 8 weeks a kitten has all 26 of their baby teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, and 10 premolars. The premolars fill in along the sides of the mouth, and the whole set is bright white and needle-sharp.
Kittens at this age should be fully weaned or nearly there. They handle kitten food and the litter box on their own, and they can run and climb with reasonable coordination. Their eyes may start shifting from blue toward their adult color around this age, though the change is usually gradual and finishes over the next month or two. 6 to 8 weeks is also when kittens are usually ready for their first vaccinations.
3 to 4 Months: Baby Teeth Falling Out
The trickiest stage to identify is when baby and permanent teeth overlap, because the mouth looks messy. Baby teeth fall out and permanent teeth come in over a period of weeks, so you might see gaps, doubled-up teeth (a baby tooth still in place while the permanent one erupts behind it), or a mix of sizes.
The permanent incisors come in first, starting around 12 weeks. They’re noticeably larger than baby incisors and have flatter, straighter edges instead of pointed tips. If you see a mix of small pointed teeth and larger flat-edged teeth in the front, the kitten is around 3 to 4 months old.
You might find shed baby teeth around the house at this stage, though most get swallowed. Some kittens drool more or chew on things they shouldn’t. Sore gums can make them fussier about food or more interested in soft treats. All of that is normal.
One thing to watch for: if a permanent tooth is coming in but the baby tooth next to it isn’t falling out within a few weeks, that’s called a retained baby tooth and a vet may need to remove it to prevent alignment problems.
4 to 6 Months: Permanent Canines and Premolars
Between 4 and 6 months the canines and premolars finish being replaced. Permanent canines are longer and thicker than the tiny baby fangs, with a slight curve to them. The mouth starts looking like an adult cat’s mouth rather than a kitten’s.
By this age most kittens weigh 5 to 6 pounds and have lost most of their round baby-face look. If you can see one or two baby teeth still hanging on alongside mostly permanent teeth, you’re looking at a kitten in the tail end of this window.
6 to 7 Months: Full Adult Teeth
By 7 months a kitten has their complete set of 30 permanent teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars, and 4 molars (the molars only come in with the permanent set, so kittens never have baby molars).
Once all the permanent teeth are in, teeth stop being a reliable age indicator. You can still guess age based on wear and tartar buildup in older cats, but that’s much less precise than the kitten timeline.
How to Check a Kitten’s Teeth Safely
Checking teeth should take about 10 seconds. You’re only looking. If the kitten fights you or seems stressed, stop and try again later.
- Wait until the kitten is settled and not fussing
- Support their body with one hand
- Use your other hand to gently lift the upper lip on one side
- Look at the incisors first, then check for canines at the corners
- If you need to see the back teeth, wait for a yawn instead of forcing the mouth open
- Never poke, pull, or scrape at teeth
What if the Teeth Don’t Match the Other Signs?
Sometimes teeth tell one story and the rest of the kitten tells another. A malnourished kitten might be underweight for their dental age. One who had a rough start might act younger than their teeth suggest. When signs conflict, trust the teeth over size and weight.
Teeth develop on a fairly predictable biological schedule. Weight and behavior can lag behind if the kitten has been sick, cold, or underfed. A kitten with a full set of baby teeth who only weighs a pound isn’t younger than 8 weeks, they’re just underweight.
When to See a Vet
Most kittens don’t need a vet just for age estimation, but a few dental issues are worth getting checked:
- Bleeding, swelling, or visible injury in the mouth
- The kitten seems in pain when they eat or yawn
- Permanent teeth are coming in but baby teeth aren’t falling out within a few weeks (retained baby teeth can cause alignment problems if left in place)
- Teeth look badly discolored, broken, or crooked
FAQ
How accurate is estimating kitten age by teeth?
Teeth can usually get you within 1 to 2 weeks of a kitten’s actual age, which is more accurate than weight or size alone. Accuracy drops after 6 months when all the permanent teeth are in.
When do kittens lose their baby teeth?
Baby teeth start falling out around 12 weeks and are usually all replaced by 6 months. Incisors go first, then canines and premolars.
How many teeth should a kitten have?
A kitten with a full baby set has 26 teeth. An adult cat has 30 permanent teeth. The 4 extra are molars, which only come in with the permanent set.
My kitten has two rows of teeth. Is that normal?
During the 3 to 6 month window it’s normal to see a baby tooth still in place while the permanent tooth erupts next to it. If the baby tooth hasn’t fallen out within a few weeks of the permanent tooth coming in, a vet may need to remove it.
Can I tell a kitten’s age by teeth if they’re underweight?
Yes, teeth are a better indicator than weight when a kitten has been underfed or sick. Dental development follows a biological schedule that doesn’t slow down as much as body growth does.
What is the youngest age I can estimate from teeth?
Teeth start appearing around 3 weeks, so before that you have to rely on eyes, ears, and movement. A kitten with no teeth and closed eyes is under 2 weeks. A kitten with no teeth but open eyes is around 2 to 3 weeks.
When do kittens’ eyes change from blue?
Kitten eyes start shifting from their initial cloudy blue around 6 to 8 weeks, and adult color is usually fully in by 3 to 4 months. Some breeds like Siamese and ragdolls keep blue eyes for life.
Debbie Reid is the founder and chief editor of CatPedia.net, with over 25 years of hands-on experience in feline care, rescue, and behavior research. Inspired by her rescue cats Snickers and Bigboy, she collaborates with animal welfare resources and consults veterinary literature to turn complex feline health, nutrition, and behavior topics into clear, actionable guides.
