When it comes to feline dental care, you’d be surprised at how many owners are unaware of some of the serious health problems that a lack of proper care can create. There have been several studies done about improper dental care among domesticated cats, all of which show that nearly 90% of cats will develop some type of dental problems over the course of their lifetimes.
What does this mean for your pet cat? Wondering what some of the
best ways for taking care of your cat’s teeth are? We have you
covered. Below we go into detail about some of the best ways for
giving your cat the dental care that it deserves. Diet-related
problems, home-based remedies, and more are all reviewed in the
following sections.
The Problems That Improper Dental Care Can Cause
Just like with humans, improper dental care habits can cause a
wide range of issues (all of which can develop into more serious
complications). Gum disease, tartar/plaque buildup, etc. are some
of the more minor problems. However, if these problems are left
untreated they can quickly turn into abscesses, make your cat’s
teeth fall out, and lead to severe infections.
Dental disease in cats is most commonly present in animals that
haven’t been properly taken care of by their owners. Gingivitis
and periodontal disease are among the two leading problems that a
fairly large majority of cats will experience. These issues
typically stem from poor diets and the teeth not being properly
maintained/cared for (i.e. brushed regularly).
Felines are natural carnivores (“hypercarnivores,” in fact),
which means that their teeth need to be very strong (to handle
the tasks of catching prey, chewing meat, etc.). This is where
poor diet habits come into play - if a cat is eating poorly (e.g.
dry cat food that’s not high in protein) than it will undoubtedly
experience some level of teeth degradation (which can lead to all
of the problems we previously mentioned).
There are actually specially-formulated cat foods that contain
ingredients proven to boost dental health. Products such as
Hill's Prescription Diet Dental
Care Cat Food online are a good option if your cat is
prone to dental issues.
How to Care for Your Cat’s Teeth
The number one thing that you should focus on is diet. Second to
diet, you need to understand that cats need their teeth brushed.
These two factors are some of the main reasons why feline dental
disease is so common in the US - owners aren’t feeding their cats
properly, and they’re also not brushing their pets’ teeth.
If you’re like most cat owners, you might have some problems
trying to brush your pet’s teeth. However, getting your cat used
to brushing might take some time, so it’s important that you keep
at it (until you’re able to regularly brush them). Keeping the
brushing sessions shorter rather than longer, and dispersing them
throughout the day is one strategy that works for a lot of
owners.
Some cats might not respond well to brushing. This is okay, and
can generally be mitigated through some simple tactics:
- Use a toothbrush made specifically for cats
- Use toothpaste made for felines
- Always give your pet a reward after brushing their teeth
(this will entice them to sit through the next session if they
know there’s a reward at the end)
Taking Your Cat for a Cleaning
Most owners might not know that this service exists, but it does.
Feline dental cleaning is a thing, and it’s becoming very popular
in the US. Think of it as the same thing as what you get when you
go to the dentist for a cleaning, just for your cat.
The only difference between the two is that the vet will need to
place your cat under anesthesia. Keep in mind, that dental
cleaning at the vet’s office is typically only done for advanced
cases or plaque/tartar buildup (and/or the development of dental
lesions) that can’t be treated at home.
Depending on the age, breed, location, and medical history of
your cat, your vet might recommend regular cleanings (or only
recommend a cleaning once every year). Whatever your cat’s
current dental health level is, there’s a chance that you can be
doing more to take it to the next level. Incorporating some
routine brushing, and improving their food, are two of the best
ways to enhance the health of your cat’s teeth.
5 Tips for Keeping Your Cat’s Teeth Clean
We all know how meticulous cats are when it comes to keeping
themselves clean. You can frequently see them clean every corner
of their body, right from the tip of their tail till their paws
and whiskers. They are such sticklers for cleanliness that we
don’t have to spend a lot on grooming products for cats. However,
there is one place that not even the most flexible cat can reach
and clean, and that’s their teeth. Ever since cats have been
domesticated, they lost the chance to keep their teeth clean by
chewing on grass and bones. So how do you keep their teeth clean?
Here are 5 tips that will help you in keeping the teeth of your
cats sparkly.
Keeping the teeth clean
-
Clean their teeth on a
regular basisIt might be hard to brush the teeth of your
cat initially, but as they get accustomed to the routine, it
will become easier to clean all the teeth of your cat. Use a
toothbrush for cats or a gauze or a finger cot to reach and
remove the dirt stuck in the teeth. If you can’t use cat
toothpaste, use a tuna water dip instead.
-
Give treats that aid in
clean teethThere are many products available in the
market that are specifically made to clean the teeth of cats by
controlling the growth of plaque and tartar. However, don’t
consider replacing regular brushing with treats.
-
Stimulate the
gumMassage the gums of your cat regardless of how clean
you keep the mouth and teeth of the cat. Stimulating the gums
regularly will strengthen the gums, preventing your kitty from
getting gum problems frequently. Also, if there is inflammation
or irritation, a massage can accelerate the healing process.
-
Maintain a healthy diet for
the teethAll the efforts you put into brushing the teeth
of your cat will be pointless if you don’t feed them the right
kind of food for healthy and clean teeth. For your feline
friends, use a combination of wet and dry foods and different
varieties of meat. You can also give them bones that are over
cooked to remove tartar. Remember, variety is the spice of
life.
-
Use dental
productsThere are a variety of dental products that are
available in your local pet store that can keep the teeth of
your kitty clean. You can use dental gel, chew toys for cats,
dental wipes, drinking water additives, and dental cat food to
keep the teeth as clean as possible.
By using all the above tips, it will be easy to maintain good
dental health for your cats. Foul breath, tooth decay, and gum
inflammation will be a thing of the past.
