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Why is my senior cat's canine tooth loose? Is it just old age?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 13 years and 9 months old | 8 lbs

I was told by my trusted vet that my 14 year old rescue cat had "great looking gums" two months ago (we had her take a close look at her mouth worried about gum disease since she was missing her upper two canine teeth at adoption), now one of her lower canines is loose from what seems to be the root since it is still firmly connected to the gums, just sitting sideways. What could be happening? Should I just chalk it up to old age if she is still eating/grooming/drinking/behaving normally?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Jyothi Alagappan

Answered By Jyothi Alagappan

Veterinarian

Published on June 22nd, 2018

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry to hear the Aevie has a loose canine tooth. Even though her teeth looked great two months ago, most dental disease occurs underneath the gum line. Therefore, the gums and teeth may have looked great but there may have been the beginning of disease under the gum line. I recommend taking Aevie to your veterinarian to get another assessment and likely discuss a dental cleaning with dental radiographs
and extractions of that canine too plus any additional teeth that need to be extracted. Good luck!
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