Cat Health Questions

During its lifetime, a cat has two sets of teeth, a deciduous set and a permanent set. Kittens have 26 deciduous teeth (molars are absent); adult cats have a total of 30 teeth.
Deciduous or “milk teeth” begin to appear when the kitten is about four weeks of age. At six weeks of age, all 26 deciduous teeth are present. From 11 to 30 weeks of age, kittens lose their deciduous teeth. During this time they may eat less because of sore gums.
When the deciduous teeth fall out, they are replaced by 30 permanent teeth. The permanent teeth should be in place by about six months of age.
A cat’s teeth are well-suited to rip and cut. Twelve tiny teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors): six in the upper jaw, six in the lower jaw do some scraping. They are flanked by two upper and lower canines, sometimes described as “fangs," designed to hold prey and to tear flesh. Ten sharp premolars and four molars act together to cut food.
In contrast to dogs, many cats live a relatively uncomplicated life, particularly if they are kept exclusively indoors. It might be assumed that, because of the simplicity of their daily routines, little would be affected by age. However, the lives of cats require some complex learned behaviors. http://ourhelp.mylivepage.com/wiki/1235/515_Cat_breeds_and_diseases
Most important is elimination or "bathroom" behavior. In order for a cat to successfully use a litter box, he must first register the need to urinate or defecate, then make his way to the nearest litter box and negotiate its rim or cover. As with dogs, appropriate elimination habits may be one of the first behaviors to deteriorate in elderly cats. And, as with all elderly animals, it is particularly important to exclude medical conditions contributing to an abnormal increased production of urine, for example, diabetes, poor kidney function, or hyperthyroidism.
Whether or not medical problems are involved, there are simple steps worth taking to ease the stress of aging. First, consider providing additional litter boxes in easily accessible areas. Don't expect your elderly cat to climb stairs, up or down, or to find boxes hidden a little too well. Also helpful is the use of boxes with lower sides, or even trays, to minimize the need for climbing.