Wondering; How Old Is That Feline? Have you ever adopted a stray cat that wandered into your yard, or rescued a feline friend from a shelter where their history was a mystery? When you don’t have a birth certificate, figuring out a cat’s exact age can feel like a guessing game. You might look at their size, their energy levels, or the condition of their coat. However, one of the most reliable detectives in solving the mystery of a cat’s age is hiding right inside their mouth.
While it is not an exact science—think of it more like an educated estimate than a precise birthday—examining a cat’s teeth is one of the best tools veterinarians and cat owners have to determine life stage. Just like humans, cats go through predictable dental changes as they grow. Once they have all their adult teeth, the way those teeth wear down over time provides a timeline of their life.
This guide will walk you through the basics of feline dentistry and how to read the subtle signs of aging written on their pearly whites.
The Basics of Feline Dentistry
Before diving into how age affects teeth, it is important to understand what you are looking at inside a cat’s mouth. A cat’s dental journey begins very similarly to our own.
From Kittenhood to Adulthood
Kittens are born without teeth. At around two to four weeks of age, their deciduous teeth—commonly known as “milk teeth” or “baby teeth”—start coming in.1 By about eight weeks old, a kitten usually has a full set of 26 baby teeth.
These tiny, incredibly sharp teeth don’t last long. Between four and seven months of age, the baby teeth fall out and are replaced by permanent adult teeth. By the time a cat is roughly six or seven months old, they should have their full set of 30 adult teeth. These are the teeth they will have for the rest of their lives, and these are the teeth we examine to estimate age in cats older than one year.
Knowing the Layout
To use the aging guide effectively, you need to know the names of the different types of teeth. When you gently lift a cat’s lips, you will see:
- Incisors: These are the tiny, small teeth right at the front of the mouth, between the large fangs. There are six on the top and six on the bottom.They are primarily used for grooming and picking up small objects. These are crucial for age determination because they show wear very clearly.
- Canines: These are the large, curved “fangs” right behind the incisors. They are used for grasping and tearing.
- Premolars and Molars: These are the larger, flatter teeth in the back of the mouth used for shearing and crushing food.
The guide below focuses heavily on the incisors, specifically those on the lower jaw (mandible) and upper jaw (maxilla), as they tend to wear down in a specific order.
The Aging Process: Reading the Signs of Wear
Once a cat has its full set of adult teeth at around six to seven months, the teeth are pristine, white, and very sharp. The cusp tips—the very pointy tops of the teeth—are distinct.
As a cat gets older, two main things happen to their teeth: tartar builds up, and the teeth physically wear down from use. Chewing food, grooming fur, and playing with toys all contribute to this slow erosion of the tooth surface. By looking at which teeth are worn down and how flat they have become, we can estimate the cat’s age bracket.
Here is a breakdown of what to look for at different life stages based on dental wear patterns.
The Early Adult Years (Ages 2–3)
Between the ages of one and two, a cat’s teeth will still look quite good. You might see a slight buildup of yellow tartar near the gumline, especially on the back teeth. However, the first real signs of age-related wear begin around age two.
At 2 years old, if you look closely at the tiny front teeth on the bottom jaw, you will notice a change. The very pointy tops, or cusp tips, of the lower second incisors will be worn flat. They lose that pristine sharpness they had as a younger cat.
By the time the cat reaches 3 years old, this wear pattern moves to the upper jaw. You will observe that the cusp tip of the upper first incisor is now also worn flat. The teeth are still functional and generally healthy, but the sharpest edges on these specific front teeth are gone.
Middle Age Approaching (Ages 5–5.5)
As a cat enters its middle years, the signs of wear become more distinct and start affecting the shape of the tooth surface, not just the tip.
At 5 years old, you need to look closely at the lower incisors again. The lower third incisor will now show signs of slight wear. More noticeably, the shape of the wear on other teeth changes. The wear surface of the lower first incisor changes from just being flattened on top to appearing rectangular in shape.
This progression continues rapidly over the next six months. By age 5.5 years, the wear on that lower first incisor has advanced significantly. It is often worn down all the way to the gumline. Furthermore, the shape of the wear surface has changed again; it no longer looks rectangular but now has a vertically oval wear surface.
The Mature Cat (Ages 7.5–8.5)
By the time a cat is seven or eight years old, they are considered mature or senior. The wear on their teeth is usually quite obvious to the naked eye, even without specialized veterinary training. The wear patterns become more rounded across multiple teeth.
At 7.5 years old, if you examine the wear surfaces of the lower first incisors, they now appear distinctly oval. You will also begin to see noticeable wear on the upper first incisors as well.
A year later, at age 8.5 years, this oval wear pattern spreads. The wear surfaces of both the lower second incisor and the upper first incisor are now oval in shape. At this stage, the cat’s front teeth look significantly shorter and stumpier than a young adult cat’s teeth.
The Senior Years
Once a cat gets well into its senior years (usually past age nine or ten), relying solely on wear patterns becomes difficult because the teeth themselves may no longer be present.
Dental disease is extremely common in older cats.5 Years of tartar buildup can lead to gum disease (gingivitis) and periodontal disease, which causes the structures supporting the teeth to weaken.
Therefore, in the senior years, a primary indicator of advanced age is that incisors begin to fall out entirely. It is very common for senior cats to have missing teeth, particularly those small front incisors that have been wearing down for years. You may also see significant staining, heavy tartar deposits, and inflamed gums.
Important Factors That Can Affect Tooth Wear
While the timeline above is a fantastic general guide, it is crucial to remember that it is an estimation. Just like humans, some cats have “better” teeth genetically than others. Furthermore, a cat’s lifestyle plays a massive role in how fast their teeth wear down.
If you are trying to guess a cat’s age, you must consider these variable factors that might make a cat’s teeth look older or younger than they actually are.
1. Diet and Lifestyle
A cat’s diet is the biggest external factor affecting tooth wear. A feral cat that has spent its life hunting prey, crunching on small bones, and perhaps eating coarse scraps will have teeth that wear down much faster than a pampered indoor cat eating soft canned food.
An outdoor stray might have the worn-down teeth of an 8-year-old based on the chart, but they might actually only be 5 years old because their life has been harder on their mouth. Conversely, an indoor cat fed exclusively soft food might have very sharp teeth well into middle age, though they might have more tartar buildup due to the lack of abrasive crunching.
2. Dental Care History
Has the cat ever had their teeth cleaned? A former house cat that received regular veterinary dental cleanings will have much healthier-looking teeth and gums than a cat that has never seen a vet. While cleaning removes tartar and helps gums, it doesn’t reverse the physical wear on the cusp tips. However, the overall healthy appearance might mislead you into thinking the cat is younger.
3. Genetics and Health Conditions
Some cats are simply predisposed to better or worse dental health.9 Some may have harder enamel, while others are prone to early periodontal disease. Certain systemic illnesses, such as kidney disease or viruses like FIV or FeLV, can also accelerate dental problems, making the mouth appear “older.”
The Verdict: A Combined Approach
Using dental wear is one of the best methods for aging an adult cat, but it is most effective when combined with other clues.
When trying to determine age, look at the whole cat. Does an older-seeming cat have cloudy eyes (lenticular sclerosis)? Is their coat coarse or matted, suggesting they have trouble grooming due to arthritis? Do they have the sagging skin and muscle loss often seen in seniors?
If the teeth suggest the cat is around eight years old, and they also show signs of slowing down and graying fur around the muzzle, your estimate is likely fairly accurate.
Conclusion
The secrets revealed by a cat’s incisors offer a fascinating glimpse into their history. By looking at whether the cusps are flat, rectangular, or oval, or if the teeth are missing entirely, you can construct a reasonable timeline of their life.
Starting at age two with the flattening of the lower second incisor’s tip, progressing through middle age with rectangular wear patterns, and entering senior years where teeth begin to fall out, the mouth tells a story.
However, always remember that this method is an estimation tool. Lifestyle, diet, and genetics play significant roles in how quickly a cat’s teeth show their age.11 For the most accurate assessment of a cat’s age and overall health, a comprehensive examination by a veterinarian is always the best course of action. They can look past just the wear and assess the health of the gums and tooth roots to give you the best possible picture of your feline friend’s life stage.
Determining a Cat’s Age by Teeth Table
| Approximate Age | Dental Characteristics |
| 2 Years | The cusp tip of the lower second incisor is worn flat. |
| 3 Years | The cusp tip of the upper first incisor is worn flat. |
| 5 Years | The lower third incisor shows slight wear, and the wear surface of the lower first incisor is rectangular. |
| 5.5 Years | The lower first incisor is worn down to the gumline and has a vertically oval wear surface. |
| 7.5 Years | The wear surfaces of the lower first incisor appear oval, with some wear visible on the upper first incisor. |
| 8.5 Years | The wear surfaces of both the lower second incisor and the upper first incisor are oval. |
| Senior Years | Incisors begin to fall out, and it is common for teeth to be missing. |
- Dental Disease in Cats – International Cat Care
- Dental Issues in Cats – PetMD
- Complete Guide to Cat Teeth Age Chart
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