The rostral, caudal, dorsal, and ventral auricular muscle groups of each ear comprise fifteen muscles that are responsible for this ability. Because of this mobility, a cat can move its body in one direction and point its ears in another direction. Similar to dogs, cats have sensitive ears that allow them to move each ear independently of each other.

Ears Ī cat's ear which has special fur for sensing and protection A cats sense of smell and taste work closely together, having a vomeronasal organ that allows them to use their tongue as scent tasters, while its longitudinal, transverse, and vertical intrinsic muscles aid in movement. The 5 papillae are filiform, fungiform, foliate, vallate, and conical. The cat's tongue is covered in a mucous membrane and the dorsal aspect has 5 types of sharp spines, or papillae. Although the upper and lower molars are smaller than the ones that arise during permanent dentition, the similarities are striking. The mouth will have smaller incisors, slender and strongly curved upper canines, vertical lower canines, and even smaller upper and lower molars. This dentition emerges seven days after birth and it is composed of 26 teeth with slight differences. Deciduous dentition teeth Ī cat also has a deciduous dentition prior to the formation of the permanent one. They are used for grasping and biting food. The incisors located in the front section of the lower and upper mouth are small, narrow, and have a single root. The carnassial pair specialize in cutting food and are parallel to the jaw. The premolar and first molar are located on each side of the mouth that together are called the carnassial pair. There are four types of permanent dentition teeth that structure the mouth: twelve incisors, four canines, ten premolars and four molars. Permanent dentition teeth Ĭats are carnivores that have highly specialized teeth. 5 types of papillae can be found in the dorsal aspect of the tongue: filiform, fungiform, foliate, vallate, and conical. Sharp spines or papillae found in a cat's tongue.

Paws the game shelter 3