Do Cats Chew Their Food? Can A Cat Live Without Teeth When It Gets Old?

Do Cats Chew Their Food? Can A Cat Live Without Teeth When It Gets Old?
Do Cats Chew Their Food? Can A Cat Live Without Teeth When It Gets Old?

Video: Do Cats Chew Their Food? Can A Cat Live Without Teeth When It Gets Old?

Video: Do Cats Chew Their Food? Can A Cat Live Without Teeth When It Gets Old?
Video: What Are The Causes Of Teeth Grinding In Cats? 2024, March
Anonim

Cats do not chew food like humans. Their teeth serve as a tool for killing prey and tearing it into pieces small enough to swallow.

When killing prey, the cat uses large canines located on the upper and lower jaws. Penetrating between the victim's cervical vertebrae, the fangs tear the spinal column. The cat uses the large and small molars of both jaws to tear the prey into pieces or strips, which are then swallowed. Of particular importance are the largest teeth, which move like scissors when the jaws are closed. Small front incisors are used to separate meat from bones and to carry objects such as prey or kittens. Of course, when defending and attacking, all the teeth are used, but especially the canines.

Yawning cat, cat teeth, photo photography
Yawning cat, cat teeth, photo photography

Cats fed canned food, homemade food, or even raw meat but cut into small pieces don't need teeth at all. Tartar accumulates on non-working surfaces, which is the cause of diseases, as a result of which the teeth become loose and fall out or they have to be removed. Many older cats remain without teeth, but they eat normally and do well. So the presence of teeth is not necessary - the absorption of food takes place normally both with them and without them, however, a toothless cat is devoid of a tool of self-defense.

Obviously, it would be better to keep cats' teeth. This can be facilitated by feeding whole cuts of meat to gnaw and dry food. All of this is a great exercise for the teeth and reduces the likelihood of dental disease.

Source: H. Nepomniachtchi "Keeping a cat"

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