My cat is losing all of his teeth between his fangs. The vet doesn't seem to think it's a big deal...

My cat is around 6-7 years old..I'm not quite sure because I adopted him after I got back from Iraq and he was supposedly around 3 or 4 then. He's losing all the teeth between his fangs and the vet doesn't seem to care. What do I do?

My cat is losing all of his teeth between his fangs. The vet doesn't seem to think it's a big deal...
Well its weird that your vet doesnt care, I'd try another vet. But at the same time, my cat Prince is only 3 years old, and he's loosing the little teeth on the bottom between his 'fangs'. his teeth came in really crooked (ive had him since he was born, i was fostering his mom) and they've always been funny, but he is just fine without them. His gums are healthy and pink, and his fangs and molars are fine. If this is the case with your kitty, I'd maybe get a 2nd opinion, but not get too worried about it. As long as he's on a good diet and has been checked for diseases, it could just be a weird thing like my cats and he's as healthy as they come.
Reply:teath wear out and are broken and just like human teeth they do not grow after the cat become an adult. and the advanced age.
Reply:I'd recommend seeing another vet. Those incisor teeth are used not just for feeding, but also for grooming as the kitty uses them for picking out items caught in her fur.





She might be able to get along without them, but they're certainly not useless or vestigial structures.





I'd also be worried about what is CAUSING the tooth loss. It could be malnutrition, or tooth decay, or be a symptom of something much more serious.





Yeah, definitely find another vet and get her opinion.
Reply:Old age. A couple of our cats started losing their teeth when they were around 7 or 8 years old. When they ate dry food they lost more, so we started feeding the elderly ones only wet food from them on. I don't think there's really much else you could do.
Reply:How does his mouth look (and smell) in general? My cat has quite a problem with her gums and as a consequence - her teeth. The vet already removed 3 because of major decay, and she's only 6yo. Apart from seeing another vet, if your cat has swollen/red/bleeding gums, it might be a good idea to clean his teeth at least few times a week (there are toothbrushes and toothpastes specifically for cats; also wipes like "Kitty ToothWipes" which I found easiest to use)... That can be a challenge but it does help.





Changing diet also helps, they say...
Reply:In response to the above users, 6-7 years is NOT old for a cat. They live to be around 14 years or longer if they are well cared for. My friend's cat is 17 and going strong, even after surviving breast cancer and a horrible cold. My cat lived to be 15. If a cat is dead before then it was the result of neglect!





As to your question, get a different vet. Preferably at a different clinic. As has been previously mentioned, it is likely the result of decay and needs to be treated immediately before it gets worse.
Reply:Perhaps get a different vet! My vet was supposed to do a dental cleaning every year with his checkup and didn't, then what all offended when we got cheesed off at him because our cat had to almost have his teeth pulled (luckily it was not that bad yet). Make sure the vet cleans his teeth at least once a year.
Reply:Get a second opinion from a different vet from another clinic.



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