The Importance of Cat Dental Health

Your cat’s dental health is key to his overall health and well-being. Pet owners often overlook Feline’s dental health, yet dental diseases like periodontal affect cats above the age of two. This is why routine dental care is important for our feline friends. Aside from preventing your cat from developing dental problems, an excellent dental maintenance routine will keep your cat’s breath smelling fresh.

Why is Feline Dental Care Essential?

It’s important to check the condition of your cat’s teeth regularly to make sure they are always healthy. Like other animals, cats don’t communicate verbally to tell us they are in pain or feeling sick, which is why it is essential to develop preventative rather than curative oral health routines.

Chewing bones and grass is a wild cat’s natural way of keeping his teeth clean. The same does not apply to our domesticated cats, who need our help with dental care. Cats accumulate plaque, debris, and bacteria from what they consume, which hardens over time to form tartar that causes gum irritation, and finally causes gingivitis or even tooth loss.

Continuous pain and inflammation can make it hard for your cat to drink or eat. The bacteria in the mouth may also enter the bloodstream and damage other vital organs, including the kidney. Regular home and veterinary dental routine care can prevent this consistent destruction of gums and teeth.

Ways You Can Keep Your Cat’s Teeth Healthy

You can keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy by brushing daily or at least twice per week. It is always necessary to get them used to the process when they are still young since adults are a bit reluctant to have their teeth cleaned.

Ensure you have the right equipment for your cat’s efficient regular teeth cleaning routine. Try using Virbac C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit with Toothpaste, Toothbrush & Fingerbrush for better results. It’s also an ideal beginner dental care kit to help acquaint pets and their owners with the toothbrushing experience.

Never, under any circumstances, use human toothpaste to clean your cat’s teeth. Human toothpaste contains fluoride that may make your cat ill if ingested. Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Cat Toothpaste does not contain any foaming agents and is intended to be swallowed.

Hold your cat gently from behind, then tenderly tilt his head. Lift his chin and open their mouths slowly. Keep petting your cat, so he feels comforted and supported while you brush his teeth.

What to Do to Keep Your Cat’s Mouth Clean

In addition to dental care, it is also essential that you always keep your cat’s mouth healthy. Massage your kitty’s gums after you have finished brushing his teeth to strengthen and accelerate healing. You can use several products to remove plaque, freshen your cat’s breath, and prevent tartar build-up.

Petkin Toothwipes for Pets provides an effective way to keep your pet’s gums and teeth clean daily. You can use ToothWipes to get rid of daily residue. Moistened with a natural baking soda formula, each soft wipe gently cleans while refreshing your kitty’s breath. You can also use Petkin Dental Spray since it provides an easy way to clean your cat’s teeth, gums, plaque, and tartar while freshening his breath.

Take your cat for an annual professional cleaning at a vet clinic, especially if your efforts were fruitless due to your cat’s continuous resistance. Regular veterinary dental check-ups are also recommended since periodontal diseases develop steadily under the gum even without showing signs and symptoms.

How to Know if Your Cat Has Dental Disease

It may be hard to determine if your cat is suffering from dental disease, especially if he is eating normally. Most dental diseases develop slowly and progress gradually. Regular dental cleaning will help establish if your kitty has dental problems.

Here are the signs that your cat could be suffering from a dental disease:

• Drooling
• Bad breath
• Bleeding from the gums
• Loose teeth
• Discolored teeth- yellow or brown
• Red, inflamed gums
• Loss of appetite
• Doesn’t play with toys as often
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Weight loss

How to Examine Your Cat’s Teeth and Mouth

It’s essential to regularly check the health of your cat’s mouth and teeth, though he may not like it. You can take him to the veterinarian to be checked if you find it difficult to examine your cat’s teeth.

Your cat’s breath shouldn’t have a foul odor. Bad breath is a sign of infection and should be taken to a vet for examination. Persistent foul odor in the mouth indicates severe periodontal diseases that require immediate treatment.

Check the inside of your kitty’s mouth for foreign objects like strings. Also, check at the back of his mouth for inflammations, lesions, ulcers, or foreign bumps. Take your cat to a vet for further assessment if you notice any abnormal signs.

Your cat’s teeth should be clean, reasonably white, and in good condition. They should not have any apparent cracks or breaks. A healthy cat’s gums should be bright, pale, or pink. Red and swollen gums may mean something is wrong with your furry friend.

Common Cat Dental Problems

The following are some of the most common dental diseases in cats:

• Periodontal disease
• Gingivitis
• Tooth Loss
• Plaque build-up
• Tooth resorption
• Mouth sores and ulcers

Fortunately, cat dental problems are largely preventable or treatable with appropriate preventive dental care. Aside from treatment, careful follow-up and monitoring is very important as well.