Cats seem prone to problems with their teeth and gums. Here’s how to help prevent these painful dental conditions.
Does your cat have bad breath? Are his teeth brown and his gums red? Does he drool, smack his mouth, or have difficulty eating or chewing? If you answered “yes” to these questions, you need to take care of his dental health as soon as possible.
Up to 85% of cats three years of age or older have some degree of dental disease. It starts with a buildup of plaque and tartar (that yellowish-brown coating you might see on his teeth when he yawns), and can eventually lead to full-blown periodontal disease, with inflamed gums, infected teeth, and abscesses. , foul breath, tooth loss, and even systemic heart and kidney disease.
Untreated, periodontal disease can cause your cat a lot of pain and discomfort, and can even shorten its lifespan.
1. Watch what he eats
The main cause of periodontal disease is a poor diet – specifically, poor quality dry foods high in empty carbohydrates, fillers and additives. Many people feed their cats commercial kibble because they have been led to believe that these hard, crunchy foods keep their kittens’ teeth clean.
Ironically, nothing could be further from the truth. Poor quality dry food simply does not provide the cat with a sustained enough chewing action to remove plaque, and when the kibble pieces have been softened by saliva, they can get stuck between the teeth and increase the risk of dental problems.
What to do: One of the best ways to help prevent dental disease in your cat is to feed her a high-quality diet rich in whole muscle and organ meats, along with raw (never cooked) chicken necks or backs, which encourage all the type of chewing that helps keep teeth clean.
The food should contain little or no grains and also offer fresh vegetables and other nutritious ingredients such as omega-3s, herbs, etc. Avoid products with fillers, additives, and no-name meats, and those that contain more grains than meat. Supplements such as digestive enzymes and probiotics can also help (the mouth is part of the digestive system after all).
For treats, try it on small pieces of raw meat and/or see if it will chew on a piece of raw broccoli or carrot. Cats that like to snack on raw vegetables are not common, but they do exist. You can also buy freeze-dried and dehydrated treats made with real meat – just make sure their ingredients are domestically sourced. Read labels carefully – the fewer natural ingredients the better.
2. Give him proper dental care
If your cat shows signs of dental problems, take him to the vet as soon as possible for a professional cleaning. Even if he has no oral symptoms, it’s still important for him to see the vet once a year for a checkup, to catch any issues that develop before they become painful and problematic.
Some people are reluctant to have their cat’s teeth cleaned because it usually means anesthesia. But it’s better than letting the cat suffer. Try not to put it off, even if you think it’s not really necessary. It’s much easier for the cat (and cheaper for you) to have your cat’s teeth cleaned when the vet recommends it, rather than waiting until the problem is so advanced that it needs surgery. or extractions.
Your vet will likely also recommend a home dental care regimen to help keep your cat’s oral health in check between checkups. This regimen will most likely include daily tooth brushing.
What to do: Your first thought might be that there is no way your cat will let you brush your teeth. It’s true that some cats won’t let you put your fingers in their mouth, but don’t dismiss the idea without at least trying. It is best if you can start the cat as a kitten to get used to having his mouth handled and his teeth brushed.
- Carefully open the cat’s mouth, put a finger inside, and rub it gently along its teeth and gums. Be calm while you do this and don’t get impatient or angry if he starts to drift away. Quietly stop what you are doing and try again.
- If your cat gets to the point where she doesn’t mind having her mouth opened and her teeth and gums touched, be sure to give her a high value treat immediately after each session.
- Cleaning must be done with a brush specially designed for animals, or use a glove for the fingers. Be sure to clean around each tooth, on both sides. Never use human toothpaste – we might like that fresh, strong minty flavor, but it’s too overwhelming for cats. Pet toothpastes are formulated to be tasty and palatable for themand help make brushing a more enjoyable experience.
- If your cat refuses to have her teeth brushed, no matter how hard you try, don’t despair. Several natural products are formulated to clean a pet’s teeth without having to use a brush at all. These easy-to-use sprays and gels can often simply be added to one’s water bowl, although others require direct application to the oral cavity.
As you can see, taking care of your cat’s dental health isn’t rocket science. A good diet, combined with regular dental care, will go a long way to keeping your teeth white and your gums healthy.
