It doesn’t need to be Halloween season for some of our feline friends to rock their vampire fangs. And just as polydactyl cats are adored for their extra toes, there are many cat lovers (myself included!) who are crazy about cats with vampire-like fangs. For cats with long fangs, it gives them a wildcat look without having any wild cat DNA coursing through their veins. Have you ever wondered why some cats have long fangs? Keep reading to find out the answer!
First, a breakdown on cat teeth…
Your average feline friend has 30 permanent teeth, and when they were just wee little kittens, they had 26 deciduous teeth—AKA milk teeth. As they mature, those pearly permanent whites come into play. Usually their canine teeth—those fang teeth—will measure around 1 cm long. Your cat has four pronounced canines, and those are their most essential teeth as they’re used for hunting. (You know, that food bowl that’s always filled is the modern day cat’s preferred style.)
Interesting little factoid for you? Your feline friend actually can’t chew their food. This is because they don’t have flat molars like we humans do. So, essentially, your cat is tearing up their food as they eat it. Want to know what else makes your cat the fierce hunter they are? Their canines even have a “bleeding groove” which is meant to allow the blood of their prey to bleed around the tooth and not choke the cat. So, yeah, your cat is basically a tiny badass even though you supply them with all their meals! While cats are meat eaters, just make sure that you are feeding them plain meat, and it should contain minimal fat and bones.
And those itty bitty tiny rows of teeth in between their fangs are what are referred to as their grooming teeth. I’ll just let you guess what those are used for!
Think about it like this. If your cat was living in the wild, and they had no meals provided to them on a daily basis, they’d find a way to survive, no questions asked. Size doesn’t always matter regarding cats and their teeth, either—even with big cats. For example, the black-footed cat, which is undoubtedly the smallest of all the big cats, is arguably the fiercest hunter in the wild, and they only reach 4 lbs. at maturity.
So, why is it that some cats have long fangs?
Black cats seem more prone to having these vampire-like fangs that we admire. And, since they already have dark coats, they look even more fabulous! Regarding the fangs in general, it seems that some cats retain physical characteristics of their less domesticated ancestors. Yes, of course they know you’ll feed them and they won’t be forced to eat you in your sleep. And just because they have those vampire teeth doesn’t mean they’ve got a taste for sucking blood either.
In addition to black cats often having long fangs, many cats with Asian heritage also seem to have this trait. For example, the Siamese and the Oriental Shorthair often have longer fangs than the average house cat. Some of these long fangs are more presentable than others, and sometimes they are just slightly noticeable. The longest I’ve seen would be Monk the Vampire Kitty, whose vampire fangs are an impressive 3/4″ long! Oh, Monk, how I love you…🖤
The good news is, if your cat has long fangs, this doesn’t mean that there’s anything “wrong” with them. They have longer fangs and are holding on closely to their fierce cat DNA of the past. Just admire them for their beauty—but remember they are a feline assassin ready to slay! However, if you feel your cat’s canines are an issue, it’s always good to take them in to be seen by their veterinarian. Should a cat lose a tooth, it won’t regrow. It’s so essential for us to ensure that their teeth are nice and healthy—even if they are a tad long! (More on dental care here!)
Want to see some of my favorite vampire kitties? Check out Monk, Horst, and Loki Kitteh here on Cattitude Daily!
Did you learn anything new and interesting about our feline friends? Share this article with other cat lovers that you know so that they can learn something, too.
Have you ever wondered to yourself why it is that so many cats have green eyes? Find out the answer here on cattitudedaily.com!
Featured Image Vampire Cat Monk & Bean / Xafi & Auri
