Dental care for cats is one of the best things that you can do to keep your cat happy and comfortable.
An infected tooth or gum can be extremely painful (as we humans can attest to).
Periodontal disease is the largest single health problem in cats, and 85% of adult pets have periodontal disease.
An unpleasant breath odor and a reluctance on the cats part for you to touch their face will alert you to the problem.
Should you smell this odor, check your cats teeth by gently lifting the lip away from the teeth.
Check for redness or bleeding of the gums, swelling around a tooth, a chipped or cracked tooth and of course, tartar or plaque build-up.
A visit to the vet at this point is recommended.
Treatment would vary as to the severity of the problem - cleaning of the teeth, antibiotics for any infection, and for the most severe cases, extraction of the tooth.
Prevention is the best route.
You CAN brush your cats teeth, and it is easier to teach your cat when they are just kittens.
Wrap gauze around your finger and dip it in cat toothpaste (there is a fish-flavored variety that they love!).
Gently rub at the base of the gum, in circular motions.
Begin with one tooth and see how the cat accepts the procedure.
Make sure that you give them a reward for good behavior when you are finished so that they associate the treat (the good thing) with the teeth brushing ( a negative thing).
If they begin to fight the activity, stop and go back to it again later.
Food is an important factor in tooth decay prevention.
A high quality dry food, the best that you can afford, is ideal and should be left out at all times as cats are 'grazers,' and only eat small quantities at any given time.
The dry food helps to prevent tartar and plaque build-up, and wet food is also essential for nutritional balance.
Brush your cats teeth on a daily basis, feed them well, and take them to your veterinarian once to twice a year for a dental check.
You'll be rewarded with a loving, and grateful feline.
An infected tooth or gum can be extremely painful (as we humans can attest to).
Periodontal disease is the largest single health problem in cats, and 85% of adult pets have periodontal disease.
An unpleasant breath odor and a reluctance on the cats part for you to touch their face will alert you to the problem.
Should you smell this odor, check your cats teeth by gently lifting the lip away from the teeth.
Check for redness or bleeding of the gums, swelling around a tooth, a chipped or cracked tooth and of course, tartar or plaque build-up.
A visit to the vet at this point is recommended.
Treatment would vary as to the severity of the problem - cleaning of the teeth, antibiotics for any infection, and for the most severe cases, extraction of the tooth.
Prevention is the best route.
You CAN brush your cats teeth, and it is easier to teach your cat when they are just kittens.
Wrap gauze around your finger and dip it in cat toothpaste (there is a fish-flavored variety that they love!).
Gently rub at the base of the gum, in circular motions.
Begin with one tooth and see how the cat accepts the procedure.
Make sure that you give them a reward for good behavior when you are finished so that they associate the treat (the good thing) with the teeth brushing ( a negative thing).
If they begin to fight the activity, stop and go back to it again later.
Food is an important factor in tooth decay prevention.
A high quality dry food, the best that you can afford, is ideal and should be left out at all times as cats are 'grazers,' and only eat small quantities at any given time.
The dry food helps to prevent tartar and plaque build-up, and wet food is also essential for nutritional balance.
Brush your cats teeth on a daily basis, feed them well, and take them to your veterinarian once to twice a year for a dental check.
You'll be rewarded with a loving, and grateful feline.