Feline Dental Care

Why oral hygiene is as important for pets as it is for people…

While our cats often seem more than capable of taking care of their own hygiene needs, there is one area in which they sometimes need a bit of help – their mouths. There are several steps you can (and should) take in order to make sure everything is as clean as it should be in there.

Dental care in cats is something that is often overlooked, but in fact is just as vital to their health and well-being as regular exercise, grooming and good nutrition. Regular attention to your cat’s pearly whites can not only improve those less-than-pleasant kitty smooches, but can also prevent serious diseases in other parts of the body.

When tartar or calculus builds up on a cat’s teeth, it provides a perfect breeding ground for bacteria that not only affects the gums and mouth, but more importantly can travel to the heart, lungs and or kidneys and put your kitty at risk.

Cat Diaries has compiled a series of tips for you to help your sleek companion keep that sneaky smile looking its best!

Brush your cat’s teeth
Tartar can build up in as little as 24-48 hours, so we recommend you brush as regularly as possible. Never use human toothpaste, though, as this can make your cat sick, and try to use a ‘finger brush’, which should make it easier to reach those difficult spots at the back!

Obviously, the earlier you start brushing their teeth, the easier it will become. Kittens have 26 deciduous teeth (the ones that fall out!), and by the time they have gone it is ideal to have your kitten used to the brushing process.

Check them regularly
Check the teeth by pulling up the lips on both sides of the mouth. Things like bad breath, excessive drooling, red, puffy or bleeding gums can be a sign of dental disease. Also, watch how your cat eats. If he or she is showing a reluctance to chew or is in pain while chewing, investigate the source of the problem and have it dealt with.

Use the products that are available
For those of you who read the teeth-brushing tip above and scoffed in disbelief at the thought of your cat ever deigning to allow it, there are other alternatives to losing a finger. There are several specially formulated feline mouth rinses available, as well as a wide range of dental kitty treats to keep tartar to a minimum and promote dental hygiene. It’s also recommended to occasionally feed your cat chunks of raw beef or other meat that they really have to gnaw on. This can help remove tartar.

Keep regular check-ups at the vet
Your vet should perform a thorough oral examination at your annual check-up appointments, and if an extensive clean is needed can scale, brush and polish your cat’s teeth under anaesthesia to make sure all tartar build-up is removed.

Images by All Pet Naturals and Red~Star