Home Dental Care for Cats
It is just as important for cats to have the proper dental care as it is for humans. Cats can get toothaches, sores, rotting teeth, and gum disease. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for a cat to communicate what is going on. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), dental care for cats is one of the most frequently disregarded areas of care. Prevent tooth decay and gum disease with home dental care for cats.
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Things You'll Need
- Cat toothbrush
- Cat toothpaste
- Gauze
- Tuna fish water
- Cat treats for dental care
- Chlorhexidine oral rinse
Instructions
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If your cat is reluctant about this dip your finger in tuna fish water first. Examine your cat's teeth on a routine basis. Get your cat in a comfortable position in your lap. With your hand over her muzzle use your thumb and forefinger to lift her top lip so her teeth and gums are exposed. Look for signs of tooth decay or gum disease, which could include bad breath, a yellowish-brownish crust of tartar buildup on the gum line, red and swollen gums, as well as bleeding or pain when you touch her teeth or gums.
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Begin brushing your cat's teeth when she is a kitten--the earlier, the better. Brush your cat's teeth every day, recommends the AAHA. Begin by using the tuna fish water trick and rubbing your finger on your cat's gum line. When your cat is comfortable with the finger massage it is time to use gauze to brush her teeth. Wrap a piece of gauze around your finger and massage her teeth, gum line and gums in a circular motion. Once she is used to this home dental care for cats she can graduate to a cat toothbrush and toothpaste. Both must be made especially for cats, not humans.
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It is important to prevent plaque and tartar buildup, and certain foods can help. Give your cat dental snacks to ward off tartar and plaque. You can find these in your local pet food store. Look for treats that help get plaque and tartar off of cat teeth and gums. Hard kibbles are also good at getting plaque and tartar off your cat's teeth. Wet cat food doesn't do this. It doesn't mean you should switch to hard kibbles only, but have a small dish of them available, even if you use wet canned food.
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Use of an oral rinse can be discontinued when the bleeding or swelling stops. Rinse your cat's mouth with a chlorhexidine oral rinse made for cats if she currently has problems with bleeding or red and swollen gums. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation on what type of rinse to use. You will need to squirt it inside both of your cat's cheeks and massage the outside to get it on the gums and teeth.
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Tips & Warnings
Bring your cat to her vet at least once a year for a dental examination and cleaning.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit crocs image by Loic LE BRUSQ from Fotolia.com young girl with a cat image by Frenk_Danielle Kaufmann from Fotolia.com yawn image by tholi75 from Fotolia.com cat licking mouth image by pixelcarpenter from Fotolia.com cat image by Dwight Davis from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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ibbica
Dec 28, 2010
Sorry, but "hard kibbles" are NOT "good at getting plaque and tartar off your cat's teeth". A few specially-designed kibbles, that are larger and of a different texture than most kibbles, may help. However, to make a sweeping statement suggesting that kibble is preferable to wet food for cats is incorrect and irresponsible.
