Your cat most likely has a retained baby tooth that never fell out when the adult canine grew in. This is called a retained deciduous tooth, and it’s one of the most common dental issues in young cats. Kittens have a full set of baby teeth that are supposed to dissolve at the root and fall out as permanent teeth push through. When that process fails, both teeth end up trying to share the same space.
How Cat Teeth Normally Develop
Kittens are born without visible teeth. Their baby teeth come in during the first few weeks of life, and then a second, permanent set starts replacing them between 4 and 7 months of age. This transition period, roughly from 16 weeks to 7 months, is when you’d normally see baby teeth falling out and adult teeth taking their place.
For a baby tooth to fall out on its own, specialized cells in the body dissolve the root of the baby tooth from below. As the root breaks down, the tooth loosens and drops out, making room for the permanent tooth underneath. With canine teeth (the long, pointed fangs), this process is especially noticeable because they’re large and easy to spot.
Why the Baby Tooth Stays
Sometimes the root of the baby canine simply doesn’t dissolve the way it should. The exact trigger for root resorption isn’t fully understood, and veterinary science hasn’t identified a clear reason why some teeth fail to shed on schedule. What’s known is that when the root stays intact, the baby tooth remains firmly anchored in the jaw. The permanent canine still erupts on schedule, so it pushes up alongside the baby tooth rather than into its spot. The result is two canine teeth sitting side by side.
Flat-faced breeds like Persians and Exotics appear to be more prone to dental anomalies because of their compressed jaw structure. A study of 50 brachycephalic Persian and Exotic cats found that their shortened skulls create unique oral features that predispose them to various dental problems. But retained baby teeth can happen in any cat, regardless of breed.
Why Two Teeth in One Spot Is a Problem
Two teeth should never occupy the space designed for one. When they do, several things can go wrong.
The most immediate issue is crowding. Food and debris get trapped in the narrow gap between the baby tooth and the permanent tooth, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. This accelerates periodontal disease, which is already one of the most common dental conditions in cats. Periodontal disease starts as gingivitis (red, inflamed gums) and can progress to periodontitis, where the structures supporting the teeth break down irreversibly. Signs include bad breath, bleeding gums, loose teeth, and reluctance to eat.
The retained tooth can also physically push the permanent canine out of its correct position. If the adult tooth erupts at an abnormal angle, it may press into the gums on the opposite jaw or grind against other teeth, causing pain and tissue damage. The American Animal Hospital Association recommends immediate extraction of persistent baby teeth specifically to prevent this kind of displacement and the bite problems that follow.
Signs Your Cat May Be Uncomfortable
Cats are famously good at hiding pain, so dental discomfort often shows up in subtle ways. Obvious signs include refusing hard food or treats, dropping food while eating, and pawing at the face. Less obvious ones include pulling away when you try to pet their chin or the sides of their face.
Bleeding gums are common during teething and with retained teeth, and they give your cat’s breath a metallic smell. If your cat’s breath has gotten noticeably worse around the 4 to 7 month mark, that’s worth paying attention to. Some cats with retained teeth show no visible discomfort at all, which is why the double canine itself is often the most reliable clue.
What Happens at the Vet
If you spot two canine teeth in the same area, a veterinary dental exam is the next step. The vet will typically take full-mouth X-rays to see what’s happening below the gumline. These images reveal whether the baby tooth’s root is still intact, whether the permanent tooth is positioned correctly, and whether any bone loss has already started.
In most cases, the retained baby tooth needs to be surgically extracted. This is done under general anesthesia because the tooth’s root is often still fully anchored in the jaw. The procedure requires careful technique to avoid damaging the adjacent permanent tooth. A post-extraction X-ray confirms the entire root was removed cleanly.
The earlier this is addressed, the better. Extracting a retained tooth while the permanent canine is still settling into position gives the adult tooth the best chance of shifting into its correct alignment on its own. Waiting too long increases the risk of the permanent tooth locking into a bad position, which can cause ongoing bite problems.
What to Watch for at Home
If your kitten is between 4 and 7 months old, check their mouth periodically during the teething process. You’re looking for spots where a new, larger tooth has come in right next to a smaller, thinner baby tooth. The baby canines are noticeably smaller and more translucent than adult canines, so the difference is usually easy to see.
A baby canine that’s still present after 7 months of age is unlikely to fall out on its own. At that point, the window for natural shedding has closed and extraction becomes the standard recommendation. If your cat is older than 7 months and you’re just now noticing two canines, the tooth has almost certainly been retained and should be evaluated by a vet to prevent long-term dental complications.