A cat’ fangs can stick out if it has a genetic malformation causing its fangs to overgrow. This is unnatural for the average cat and is seen as a limiting genetic condition. In a normal cat, its fangs grow so that they end up being tucked inside its mouth.
However, certain cats have fangs that remain exposed to their surroundings. This condition can lead to several dental concerns as well as the discomfort that comes with the odd positioning of the teeth.
If your cat has fangs that stick out and you wish to learn more about this condition, then keep reading.
Cat teeth
Average cats have 26 deciduous or milk teeth as kittens, then 30 permanent teeth when they become adults. Cats actually do not have the ability to chew their food. This is because they do not have molars, which are teeth used to grind food. Cats are essentially just tearing up their food as they eat it. The rows of tiny teeth between their fangs are called grooming teeth.
Canines, or eye-teeth, are some of the first teeth to erupt in the mouth of ordinary cats. From first glance, it is simple for pet owners to guess the purpose of the canine teeth through their long, sharp, and pointy profile. Similar to a hypodermic needle, these teeth are capable of slicing through flesh, sinew, and blood vessels with relative ease. Because cat mouths contain bacteria, one bite is enough to introduce pathogenic microorganisms to the prey’s body.
Most of the time, canines of cats can not be clearly seen unless your cat decides to yawn.
Why do some cats have long fangs?
Black cats are more prone to having vampire fangs compared to other cats. Some cats have long fangs, it seems because they have retained physical characteristics of their less domesticated ancestors.
Many cats with Asian heritage seem to have this physical trait. For example, the Siamese and the Oriental Shorthair often have longer fangs than the average house cat.
The good news is, if your cat has long fangs that do not stick out when their mouths are closed, this does not mean that there is anything wrong with them. They just happen to have longer fangs and are holding on closely to their fierce cat DNA from their ancestors.
Can cats regrow lost canines?
Cats are unable to regrow lost canines if they lose them for whatever reason. After their permanent teeth are in place then that is it. This is why great dental health is very important for your cat, whether they have overgrown canines or not.
How to handle protruding canines in cats
1. Get them a scratching post
You might be wondering how a scratching post is supposed to help a cat with long fangs, when they are supposed used for a cat’s claws?
Yes, a scratching post’s main purpose is to help with a cat’s claws, but it can also provide a soft surface for a cat to bite into when it wants to play. Cats love to mouth and bite on things, and it is better that they do it on the rope of a scratching post than on your furniture.
You have to have control over what your cat is doing and this is a good place to start.
This will provide a more controlled solution when cat fangs stick out, and is an advantage in a cat’s overall dental well-being.
2. Give your cat wet food
When a cat’s fangs stick out, feeding may be difficult. Cats are hunters and love to catch prey. Having overgrown fangs will give them a hard time digging into the prey without hurting themselves.
You can try to work around this issue by using wet cat food. Do not give your cat dry kibble or hard treats, as they are not good for the cat’s fangs and will put them under even more stress.
There are hundreds of options to choose from when it comes to wet cat food. So, your cat is not ever likely to get bored of its food.
Give the cat options to choose from at first until you find the right flavor and brand that they love.
3. Buy your cat a chew toy
Get your cat a soft cat toy. A hard bone will put too much stress on their fangs. A high-quality, soft toy will help keep your cat’s fangs strong without putting too much stress on them.
Make sure the toy is big enough not to be swallowed but small enough that your cat can grab it comfortably.
4. Brush their fangs daily
Taking care of long fangs is important. Since these fangs are always exposed, brushing them is a must. Otherwise, dirt and food are going to get trapped on them and may lead to significant damage over time.
Cats are prone to running around and slamming their face on things like doors and furniture. This is natural for both indoor and outdoor cats. That is why you need to make sure that your cat’s fangs will not deteriorate rapidly. If you do not take care of them, they are going to break.
The benefits of daily brushing include improved strength, better dental health, and less tooth pain.
Cats rely heavily on their fangs, and when they are long, the stress that it puts on their mouth is significant. It is necessary to find a way to limit the amount of pressure that is put on the teeth to the best of your ability.
Conclusion
Some cats have fangs that stick out because they have retained this physical characteristic from their wild cat ancestors.
Living with long fangs may be quite difficult for these cats, so make sure you do what you can to give them an easier time in their daily routine.
Buy your cat a scratching post they can bite from time to time to help strengthen their teeth. Buy them a soft chew toy. Feed them wet cat food because dry food may put too much stress on their teeth. Lastly, brush their fangs everyday to keep them strong and healthy.
Image: istockphoto.com / Nils Jacobi