What teeth does a cat have in its jaw? - briefly
A cat has 30 teeth in its jaw. The distribution is as follows: 16 incisors and canines at the front for biting and tearing, and 14 premolars and molars at the back for grinding food.
What teeth does a cat have in its jaw? - in detail
Cats possess a unique set of teeth specifically adapted for their carnivorous diet and lifestyle. The adult cat typically has 30 teeth, distributed across both jaws with a specific function for each type.
In the upper jaw (maxillary), cats have:
- 12 incisors: These are the small, sharp teeth located at the front of the mouth. Incisors are used primarily for grooming and nibbling on food.
- 4 canines: Situated behind the incisors, these long, pointed teeth are designed for grasping and holding prey. Canines are also crucial for defense.
- 10 premolars: These are multi-rooted teeth located further back in the mouth. Premolars assist with shearing and tearing food.
In the lower jaw (mandibular), cats have a slightly different arrangement due to the presence of carnassial teeth:
- 12 incisors: Similar to those in the upper jaw, these are used for grooming and nibbling.
- 4 canines: Again, these serve the same purpose as their counterparts in the upper jaw.
- 6 premolars: These teeth are also involved in shearing and tearing food.
- 2 carnassial teeth (also known as carnassials): Unique to cats, these are large, blade-like teeth that act like scissors for slicing through tough meat and bone. The lower first molar is modified into a carnassial tooth, creating a shearing action with the upper fourth premolar when the jaws close.
- 2 molars: These are located at the back of the mouth and contribute to grinding food.
This dental arrangement allows cats to effectively capture, kill, and consume their prey, reflecting their evolutionary adaptation as obligate carnivores.