Your Cat’s Dental Health is Important
Your cat’s dental health isn’t often at the forefront of an owner’s concerns when they think “health”. But it is still very necessary to care for your cat’s teeth.
Even something as normal as bad breath could be a sign of a gum disease or tooth decay. But luckily we have some simple dental hygiene tips to help keep your cat healthy:
- Adult cats are more likely to be resistant to teeth cleaning, so it’s best to ease them into it as early as possible. While they’re kittens, wrap your finger in gauze and brush using cat specific toothpaste. You can practice with some cat food to get them used to the sensation. Do this for up to 60 seconds twice a day.
- Once they’re a bit older, ease into a bristle toothbrush or cat specific toothbrush. Be sure to massage your cat’s gums while you clean them. This will strengthen them and help accelerate any healing.
- Remember: There are certain cat treats and toys aimed at cleaning your cat’s teeth, but these are not a replacement for brushing their teeth. They might clean their teeth slightly, but are not effective enough to prevent infections and diseases.
If you haven’t been as diligent with your cat’s dental hygiene or suspect their might be something wrong, keep an eye out for these warning signs:
- Red, swollen and/or bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Difficulty eating
- Yellow and brown tartar deposits on the gum line
- Teeth grinding
- Only chewing on one side of their mouth
If you notice any of these signs, be sure to take your cat to the vet. Even if you aren’t able to brush your pet’s mouth twice a day, at least brushing a few times a week can help your pet keep a cleaner mouth!
Have a dog? Check out our blog post about their dental hygiene here!