Dental Care For Cats

Did you know that as many as 90 purrcent of our feline friends that are aged four or older have some form of dental disease? Periodontitis and gingivitis are both very common in cats. Fluffy can also develop many other dental troubles, such as infected or misaligned teeth; stomatitis, which is painful oral inflammation; gum disease; oral cancer; and tooth resorption. A Huntersville, NC vet offers some advice on keeping your kitty’s choppers healthy in this article.

Keeping Kitty’s Teeth Clean

The best way to keep your feline buddy’s teeth in good health is to brush them. You’ll have to get Fluffy on board with the process, of course. That basically means you’ll need to proceed very slowly. At first, just start to gently touch her mouth as you’re petting her. If your furry pal sleeps on your lap, that would be a great time to start. As she grows to accept this, reward her with praise and treats. Over time, you can start to incorporate pet toothpaste and a kitty toothbrush or finger toothbrush. Just don’t force the issue. As soon as your kitty decides she’s done, let her go. Try again another day. 

Alternatives

Did your attempts to brush Fluffy’s teeth have resulted in you covering yourself in Band-Aids while your cat glared at you from beneath the bed? Don’t worry: there are other options. Dental rinses and flakes can both help fight off plaque and tartar. You may also be able to offer Fluffy some dental-formula kibble or treats. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Warning Signs

Keep an eye out for signs of dental trouble. Drooling is a common one. You may also notice visible swelling and/or tartar buildup, or spot blood on Fluffy’s mouth, toys, or dishes. Your feline pal may act uncharacteristically cranky or withdrawn, and she may not be very interested in playing. Dental issues can also affect the way cats eat. Your kitty may chew on one side of her mouth, dribble food, take longer eating, or ignore kibble and only eat soft food. It’s worth pointing out that cats often try to hide signs of sickness, so you may not notice anything amiss until your furball is quite sick. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.

Do you have questions about kitty dental care? Contact us, your Huntersville, NC pet hospital!