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The earliest sign of periodontal disease in cats is gingivitis, a gum disease characterized by inflammation of the gums due to plaque build-up. While gingivitis is reversible, periodontal disease is not, making it crucial to identify early signs and get the necessary treatment. Watch out for these signs that your cat’s dental health may be at risk.
Red, swollen
gums
A yellowish
plaque build-up may appear on their teeth, with red, inflamed gums. The best
time to check is when they’re asleep or at ease. Make it a regular practice to
check for red, inflamed gums and plaque build-up. If you spot a brownish
build-up, your cat is likely to have tartar and suffers from severe gingivitis
or early periodontitis.
Halitosis
If your cat's
breath smells bad, the chances are that they're suffering from gingivitis, and
as the disease progresses, their breath just gets worse.
Pain or
discomfort
Monitor your
cat's behavior carefully to notice any signs of pain, especially while eating.
Swelling of the gums can result in avoiding hard foods, eating with difficulty,
eating slowly, or refraining from eating altogether. The discomfort experienced
can cause them to become lethargic and result in poor overall health. Check for
changes in their usual behaviors to know if something is amiss.
Risk factors
Certain factors
may increase the risk of your cat developing gingivitis. Old age, diabetes,
feline immunodeficiency virus, leukemia, breed disposition (for purebred cats)
are all factors to bear in mind while checking for gingivitis.
Once you've
identified the signs, it's time to book an appointment with your vet for an
oral examination. Depending on the severity of the disease, your vet may
perform scaling and polishing under general anaesthesia to remove the plaque or
tartar build-up. Once this is done, you will be instructed on practices that
promote your cat’s dental hygiene.
Diet change
Your vet may
recommend a change in their diet to include more plant fibers that prevent the
build-up of plaque. You may also be asked to give chews and add supplements to
your cat’s water to maintain dental health.
Brushing their
teeth
You may be given
a special paste to rub on your cat’s teeth with a brush, a cloth, or your
hands. As effective as this practice is in preventing plaque build-up, it’s
easier said than done. Most cats struggle to get away, but you’re in luck if
your cat enjoys the taste and feel of it! Bottles of mouth rinse are quicker as
they can be used to spray over your cat’s teeth.
With proper care and
regular check-ups, your feline friends can be spared of their dental troubles!
