Cat Dental Care Information

It is important that pet owners take care of their cat's teeth because domestic cats do not chew on bones or grass, activities which would generally clean teeth in the wild. This perhaps is a fact not as well known as it should be, which means that the majority of domestic cats suffer from dental health issues over their lifetime.

This can be a deeply unpleasant thing for cats, as their teeth are important to their daily life. Like humans, cats of course need a healthy set of gnashers for eating. As natural carnivores, cats are at their most happy when they have strong, healthy teeth. On top of that, though, teeth are also used when cats groom themselves, and this is a daily process.

As cute and cuddly as our cats can be, they also naturally will want to be able to protect themselves from any animals that threaten them. As such, sharp and healthy teeth are part of this defence. In this way, a cat with dental problems is missing a crucial element which - along with their claws, speed and agility - allows them to have a whole lot of self-confidence to go alongside that cuteness.

Because they use their mouths and teeth so often, they will be likely to get bacteria build-up on their teeth if they are not cared for. This can lead to a number of problems which we will outline below.

Feline dental issues

It may be more difficult to tell if your cat is in pain than with other pets such as dogs. Cats are remarkably good at hiding discomfort and even quite significant pain. As such, you can't rely upon being able to see clear signs of pain in a general sense. Instead, there are a number of more specific signs which can indicate different dental problems.

A healthy cat's teeth should be, as is the case with human teeth, clean, white and without any chips. Their gums should also be pink and without ulcers, swelling, bleeding or sores. Therefore, any divergence from this indicates that your cat's teeth or gums may be subject to health issues.

If you don't look after your cat's teeth, your cat may end up with issues such as:

Gum disease
Tartar
Plaque build-up
Abscesses

Bacteria that builds up as tartar can lead to extremely painful gingivitis. It can also in rare cases lead to more serious infections of the internal organs as it passes into the system.

Signs of dental problems

As mentioned above, cats use their teeth for eating and grooming. So, if they seem to be struggling with either of these activities, this could be a sign that they are suffering from dental problems.

Bad breath and excessive drooling is also a key sign that your cat is suffering from dental health issues. On top of that, a clear sign to look out for is blood or ulcers in the mouth. The blood may also be visible in food as they eat, so this will also be something striking to look out for. As well as bleeding and a dark red line along the gums, gum inflammation is something to keep an eye out for when looking into your cat's mouth. This can indicate gum disease and it can also show signs that teeth may need to be removed by a vet.

Rest assured, though, that such ailments can be easily avoided so long as you follow some key steps to take care of your cat's teeth.

Essentials for cat dental care

You can look after your cat's teeth by brushing them or by introducing dental care products to their diet. Let's take a look at each of these.

Brushing your cat's teeth

The most effective way of ensuring that your cat's teeth are healthy is through frequent teeth brushing. This cannot, however, be rushed into, as cats may not initially feel comfortable with the process. Follow these 3 simple steps to help you get started.

Simply take some of the cat toothpaste and, either from a bowl or your finger, allow your cat to sniff and lick the feline tooth paste. Do this at the same time each day to create familiarity.
Begin at the same time in the day to touch around their mouth with your finger. You can build up to eventually touching at the outer surface of their teeth, but only once they are completely comfortable with you touching around their mouth area. Be careful throughout this process to avoid touching their whiskers, and watch out for playful little bites!
Introduce a little bit of the cat toothpaste to their teeth on your finger, or using a cat tooth brush which you can attach to your finger. Brush in small, gentle, circular motions on the teeth and try to avoid contact with the gums. Depending on how comfortable your cat is with this process, you should aim at brushing their teeth anywhere from twice weekly to once daily.

Note: Make sure never to use human tooth paste or dental floss on cats. The former can be toxic and the latter is extremely dangerous as it can be swallowed, thus causing intestinal problems.

Diet for dental health

Although wet food is great for cats because it serves to hydrate as well as nourish your pet, you should also bring some dry food into their diet. Crunching down on some dry food will help enhance the health of your cat's teeth as it can clear away any build-up of bacteria on the outer surface.

You can also purchase some dental treats which, whilst acting as special little snacks to reward your cat, will also reward their teeth by similarly clearing away any build-up as they crunch on them. Also, in terms of diet, teeth health in cats is also enhanced if they have access to clean drinking water at all times - make sure to refresh their bowl so that it does not become stale.

Seek veterinarian assistance

Of course, if you do spot any of the signs of dental health problems despite your dental care regime, then it is best to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible. Your vet will firstly be able to offer a full oral exam, with an x-ray scan if required. Much like any dental hygienist for humans, they will also be able to offer thorough cleaning under the gum line, scaling to prevent tartar build up, and polishing to act against bacteria.

All medical procedures such as professional cleaning will be undertaken with general anesthetic, as will any procedures to remove any teeth. If they discover an issue that needs to be dealt with over time, then they may provide a course of antibiotics and pain medication to help get rid of the problem.

It is also wise to visit the vet simply for dietary and care advice. By visiting your vet, you might also benefit from their expertise on how to keep your cat's mouth clean. As well as brushing the teeth, the mouth also must be attended to, as bacteria can build up here too. Your vet may be able to recommend mouth sprays or dental treats that contain the vitamins and antiseptics to combat bacteria.