How to Care for Your Cat's Teeth

As they age, most cats will experience dental problems, ranging from broken teeth and inflamed gums to periodontal disease and cavities. An examination by your veterinarian is the only sure-fire way to know if your cat has dental issues. There are, however, things that cat owners can do to help care for their cat's teeth.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Dental rinse
• Canned/dry cat food
• Sisal rope ball
• Treats

1. Schedule an exam and take your cat to the vet for an annual checkup. Teeth-related problems can be detected, including broken or missing teeth, decay or halitosis.

2. Examine its teeth. In addition to regular checkups with the vet, you can examine your feline's teeth yourself. Pull your cat's lip back tenderly and check for yellow or brown buildup, damaged teeth or irritated gums.

3. Purchase a toothbrush and toothpaste at any pet store or online and start brushing your cat's teeth while he is still a kitten, although older cats can adjust to the daily routine.

4. Reduce tartar. To help with your cat's dental care, feed it a diet of hard and canned food. Crunchy treats and toys, such as a sisal rope ball, will help eliminate plaque and tartar. When tartar begins accumulating, you may notice irritation, inflammation or bleeding along the gum line.

5. Attempt to rinse. If you are feeling up to the challenge, you may want to rinse your cat's mouth. This is recommended for senior cats with preexisting dental problems. Rinsing should not be a substitute for brushing.

6. Contact your vet if you notice any changes in your cat's teeth or gums.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to brush several teeth at first, then increase the duration and number of teeth daily. You should be brushing the entire mouth after 14 days. If daily brushing is too difficult, two times a week will be adequate.
• By the time they reach the age of 3, nearly 90 percent of cats suffer from periodontal disease.
• Human toothpaste is not recommended.
• Reward good behavior.
• Veterinarians will need to use an anesthetic when working on your cat's teeth.
• Don't ignore dental problems. They could be a sign of more serious health issues.

Resources

• Cat Dental Health carries feline dental supplies.

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