Cat Dental CareCat dental care is just as important as dental care for people. Dirty teeth can affect ever organ in a cat’s body by spreading bacteria throughout the bloodstream. This could end up infecting kitty’s kidneys, liver and heart. Just like with children, your cat's dental care program is easiest to get started when your cat is a kitten. Indoor cats are more likely to have gum and dental problems than outdoor cats.When you take kitty for her annual checkup, your veterinarian will advise you if a cat dental care program is necessary. She will also tell you how often to clean kitty’s teeth. Tools for cat dental careA specially designed toothbrush is available for cleaning your cat’s teeth. Just like our tooth brushes, they will wear out and need to be replaced occasionally.Use tooth paste specifically formulated for cats. Cats will end up swallowing the toothpaste that is applied, making human tooth paste unsuitable. Cleaning your Cat's TeethTo clean the teeth:- Stroke the sides of kitty’s mouth so she gets used to having her teeth and gums touched - Introduce a soft gauze or cloth and rub it along the teeth and gums. - Then place some cat toothpaste on it and work it back and forth on the teeth a few times, and eventually make a circular motion with it. - Never apply to much pressure while cleaning kitty’s teeth. - Reward kitty with praise and / or a tartar control treat Things to Check While CleaningWhen you are cleaning kitty’s teeth, check to see if her gums are rosy pink – a sign of a healthy mouth. If there is a build up of tartar, however, the vet may need to scale kitty’s teeth, just like a dentist would scale ours.
If you notice kitty is reluctant to eat, has a loss of appetite or is constantly drooling, it may mean that she has a dental problem.
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