Brushing your cat's teeth can be a challenging task. Needless to say, it is just as important to take care of your cat's teeth as it is your own. So here are some helpful tips on how to keep your cat's breath fresh and clean.
If you never brushed your own teeth, you might end up with tuna
breath, too. A natural diet of mouse means a cat must bite
through fur, skin and bone to get to the good stuff, and that
naturally cleans their teeth. Since most cats no longer rely on
mousing abilities to fill their bowl, it’s up to owners to help
them stay minty fresh, or at least healthy.
But cats can be persnickety about owners putting anything in
their mouth, so it can be a challenge to brush a cat’s teeth.
That's why a lot of cat parents use dental food such as the
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline
Dental Dry Cat Food that naturally cleans the teeth along
with regular brushing. Use these tips to help your cat accept
what’s good for them when you brush their teeth.
How to Brush a Cat's Teeth
- It’s best to brush a cat’s teeth after every
meal. But many cats nibble all day long, and you can’t keep up
with snacking times. Once or twice a week is a good target
schedule for cat tooth brushing.
- Kittens are more forgiving of rude handling, so
get the baby used to having their mouth handled from the first
day on. Touch their lips, slip a finger inside the mouth to
touch teeth, and make it a pleasant experience for the
youngster. That way the cat knows mouth and tooth care is a
normal part of everyday life.
- Human baby-size toothbrushes or pet toothbrushes
can work for cat dental care. But many cats prefer a rubber
nub-coated “finger” brush that slips over your finger, or just
your finger wrapped in a piece of gauze. You can also wrap your
finger with a wash cloth or piece of gauze. For cats that
already accept your finger touching their teeth, the finger
brush is well accepted as a next step.
- Use only cat-approved tooth paste. Cats swallow
toothpaste so swallowing human dental products that contain
fluoride isn’t good for them. Pet tooth pastes come in chicken
and malt flavors for cats. Let your cat sniff and taste a
sample before you begin.
- Flavor your bare finger with the paste and slip
inside the cat’s mouth to rub on the teeth. Don’t force
the cat’s mouth open or the cat can become upset. Besides, you
only need to clean the outside of the teeth since the cat’s
tongue does a good job of keeping the inside tooth surface
clean.
- Once the cat accepts a flavored finger, smear
toothpaste on the finger-brush. Gently hold your cat’s head
steady in the palm of one hand while your other hand slips the
finger-brush under the cat’s lips to massage the outside of the
teeth. Pay particular attention to the molars in the cheek
region. Always praise cats when they accept the brushing and
perhaps reward with a catnip treat.
Amy Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant,
consultant to the pet care industry and the award winning
author of 23 pet care books.
Signs that Your Cat has Dental Issues
Dental problems in cats can be quite common especially after
the age of three. Unfortunately they are not always noticeable
and can go untreated for a long time before being diagnosed.
Dental issues in cats that have been left untreated can lead to
more serious conditions including kidney and heart disease.The
best way to keep your cat safe is to regularly examine it for
problems in the teeth and gums and scheduling an oral screening
with the vet at least once a year. There are some signs that
are an indication of dental issues in your cat and we discuss
here what they are so that you can look out for them.
How to tell that your cat
has a dental problem
-
Bad
breath: The number one telltale sign that your
cat is experiencing some form of dental disease is foul
breath. On a normal day your cat’s breath will have no odor
but if you do detect a fishy or rotting smell you should look
closer.
-
Lack of
apatite: If your cat is suddenly no longer
interested in eating and there is no apparent reason why, it
could be an oral problem. Painful teeth and gums could make
it difficult for the cat to eat which in turn leads it to not
touching its food. Also if the cat is eating only on one side
or is being clumsy with its food you should pay attention.
The lack of interest in food could cause your cat to lose
weight drastically. If you notice your cat losing weight too
fast, that could also be a sign of oral disease.
-
Pawing and
shaking: If you notice your cat repeatedly pawing
at its mouth or shaking its head it could be experiencing
some dental pain.
-
Drooling: Excessive
drooling is another sign of dental issues in cats and a
something you need to watch out for.
What needs to be done
Any of the above mentioned signs is an indicator that your cat
might have a dental issue. Gently examine your cat to see if
you can find what is bothering them. By lifting the upper lip
of your cat you can observe the teeth and gums. Gums that are
red and swollen, or teeth that have brown or yellow matter
stuck to them are a cause for concern and you should make and
appointment with your vet.Also make an appointment with your
vet if you notice lose or bleeding teeth or black spots on the
teeth that could be cavities. Depending on the severity of the
oral disease your vet will decide on a course of action to
treat the cat.Oral disease in cats can lead to more serious
problems if left untreated, so if you notice any of the above
signs don’t delay but see a vet at the earliest.