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Feline Dental HygieneDental Care is Essential to Your Cat's General Health
Why healthy teeth and gums play a pivotal role in your cat's well-being.
Poor dental hygiene can pose a serious threat to your cat's health. For cats suffering from dental problems, eating can be a difficult and painful exercise. Moreover, bacteria from tartar and broken teeth can cause diseases of the liver, kidneys and heart. Signs of Feline Dental ProblemsPerhaps the most common indicator of feline dental problems is halitosis (more commonly known as bad breath!) Your cat may also have inflamed gums and discolored teeth. Other signs of poor dental health are drooling, bloody gums and difficulty eating. Some Causes of Feline Dental ProblemsSometimes poor dental health can be caused by something as mundane as a broken tooth from an accident or a cat fight. If your cat has a broken a tooth take him to your vet to determine that it will not affect your cat's health. Feline dental problems can also be caused by other, more serious health issues such as kidney disease, disorders of the immune system or bacterial and viral infections resulting from leukemia and feline AIDS. How To Care for Your Kitten's TeethStart brushing your cat's teeth as early as possible. Under no circumstances should human toothpaste be used on cats! Purchase a lather-free feline toothpaste. Apply it to your fingertip and gently rub your kitten's teeth. Once your kitten gets used to this process, you can eventually make the transition from finger to feline toothbrush. Spend no more than half a minute on the upper and lower teeth respectively. When using a feline toothbrush be gentle so as to avoid damaging your cat's delicate gums. Feline toothpaste does not require rinsing after usage. Establish a routine of brushing your kitten's teeth up to three times a week. How to Care for Your Adult Cat's TeethCats over the age of three often begin to experience dental problems which effect their teeth and gums. Older cats generally do not welcome the practice of tooth-brushing unless they are already familiar with it. However, you can ask your vet to recommend other alternatives. Products like feline liquid plaque removers are preventative and easy to use. Simply add a few drops in your cat's drinking water. Your adult cat may also benefit from vitamin supplements. Ask you veterinarian which ones are best suited for your kitty. Veterinary Dental CareIf your cat's dental health requirements are very basic then you may simply want to ask your veterinarian to teach you how to brush your cat's teeth. However, if your cat is suffering from serious dental problems then its health is at risk and it is imperative to get him to your veterinarian for treatment. Your vet can offer a range of treatments for your cat depending on the gravity of the dental problems. For example, your veterinarian may opt to pull out your cat's broken or damaged tooth to eliminate the risk of bacterial infections. If your cat is suffering from advanced tartar problems, your vet can remove the tartar by ultrasound while your cat is anesthetized. An antibiotic treatment may be necessary in order to prevent infection. Keep It UpA good dental hygiene routine is essential to your cat's well-being. Be sure to develop good habits and stick with them so that your cat will enjoy optimum health and a good quality of life. Further Reading
The copyright of the article Feline Dental Hygiene in Cat Care is owned by Manya Seisay. Permission to republish Feline Dental Hygiene in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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