Digestive System > Pregastric Physiology

Dental Anatomy of Cats

Cats are obligate carnivores, although pet cats consume a lot of plant material if they are fed dry cat food. None of the teeth of cats, including their molars, have grinding surfaces; they clearly evolved to eat "meat". Dogs also are carnivores, but do have grinding surfaces on their molar teeth.

Dental Formulae
Deciduous 3 1 3
3 1 2
= 13 Permanent 3 1 3 1
3 1 2 1
= 15
Tooth Eruption

DeciduousPermanent
Incisors3 - 4 weeks3.5 - 5.5 months
Canine3 - 4 weeks5.5 - 6.5 months
Premolars6 weeks4 5 months
Molars
5 - 6 months

The following images demonstrate feline dental anatomy using the skull of a mountain lion. Mountain lions have the same dental formula as domestic cats.

Maxillary Arcade
Maxillary Arcade
(Lateral View)
Mandibular Arcade
Mandibular Arcade
(Lateral View)

Dental Anatomy: Index

Author: Melissa Rouge

Send comments to Richard.Bowen@colostate.edu