Dental problems afflict 80% of cats after the age of three years. In addition to gum irritation and eventual tooth loss, bacteria trapped in teeth can enter a cat’s bloodstream, potentially causing heart or kidney disease.
Contrary to popular belief, dental problems cannot be avoided simply by feeding a cat dry food exclusively. Dry food tends to contain less sugar than wet food, which can slow the progress of periodontal disease, but most cats will still experience an eventual build-up of plaque.
Signs of Tooth Decay
Cats with tooth decay have a number of symptoms, including:
- Red or swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Drooling
- Yellowish-brown tartar on their teeth
- Dropping food out of their mouths or refusing food in very severe cases
Prevention of Dental Problems
A cat’s teeth can be brushed or wiped using a toothbrush designed for human babies or a small pet toothbrush that attaches to your fingertip, which should be available at your local pet supply store. Never use human toothpaste with a cat – cats find the flavors repulsive. Purchase a toothpaste specially designed for pets. These come in flavors such as chicken or malt that cats appreciate. Veterinarian Chris C. Pinney recommends choosing a toothpaste or gel that contains chlorhexidine, which continues to fight bacteria for up to 12 hours.
Always wash your hands before brushing the cat’s teeth so that you do not introduce any bacteria to the cat’s mouth. Brush very gently, using small, circular motions, making sure to include the gumline. You do not need to rinse the cat’s mouth after brushing.
What to Do If Your Cat Will Not Accept Brushing
For cats that fight fiercely when tooth cleaning is attempted, there are other ways to maintain dental health. You can purchase a special oral hygiene gel, which uses bacteria-inhibiting enzymes to prevent the formation of plaque on teeth. These can either be fed to the cat directly or hidden in the cat’s food. There are also dental chews and specialized dry foods that are designed to scrape plaque while the cat eats. Always check with your veterinarian before using dental chews, gels or specialized foods.
Treatment of Severe Dental Problems
In the case of severe gingivitis and tooth decay, a veterinarian can remove teeth that have become loose and scrape tartar and plaque from remaining teeth using ultra-sonic vibration.
Dental Care for Young Kittens
Kittens do not need to have their teeth brushed, as they are unlikely to experience dental problems. However, it’s a good idea to touch your kitten’s teeth regularly with a clean toothbrush to get her used to the contact. This will ensure that as an adult, she will be less likely to fight the cleaning procedure.
References and Further Reading
To learn more about dental care for cats, see The Illustrated Veterinary Guide, Second Edition, by veterinarian Chris C. Pinneyand Purina’s “Dental Care.” For information on other cat care topics, see Cat Nutrition and Homemade Food, Cats and Furniture Scratching and Natural Flea Control for Cats.
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