Brushing your cat’s teeth is an important part of maintaining its overall health.
When considering getting a new cat or kitten, it can be easy to overlook its need for dental care. You don’t often hear about cat owners brushing their pet’s teeth! Even so, it is a significant part of caring for their health and can prevent painful and even life-threatening problems down the road. Here is a guide on how to care for your cat’s teeth.
Why Clean Your Cat’s Teeth?
Up to 80% of cats get periodontal disease by the age of 3. Periodontal disease is damage to the gums and teeth due to poor oral care. It generally involves inflamed, sensitive gums, plaque buildup, and bad breath. As germs accumulate in the mouth, they can eventually cause severe pain and tooth loss. Caring for your cat’s teeth is crucial to its overall health.
How to Care for Your Cat’s Teeth
Preventative care is key. It is best to brush your feline’s teeth daily, if not a few times per week. It is also best to start when your pet is young so it will adjust faster. The adjustment process, even so, can take up to two months.
One can use a finger brush or a rubber brush to accomplish the task, but early on, you may use a sterile gauze strip over your finger to gently massage the toothpaste over its teeth and gum line. Never administer toothpaste made for humans, as fluoride is toxic to cats, and you cannot prevent them from swallowing it. Cat toothpaste comes in different flavorings like seafood, poultry, and beef. Your vet can likely point you toward a total cat dental care package for purchase.
There are various cat dental health products available, like dental treats and sprays. However, you should consult with your vet what options they recommend. Your vet can also prescribe a diet formulated for dental health.
Why Schedule Annual Dental Appointments?
Dental health visits are worth it for your cat, especially when it is a kitten and when it gets older. The dental cleaning happens under general anesthetic, under which circumstances the veterinarian can spot plaque buildup long before it becomes an issue and promptly clean it off.
Trust the Care of Your Pet to the Professionals at Everhart Veterinary Medicine!
At Everhart Veterinary Medicine, our veterinary professionals strive to provide your pet with the very best of veterinary care. We believe that the best care for your pet should be provided by experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable veterinary professionals. With two Maryland locations in both Baltimore and Pasadena, we are always ready to welcome your pet as a new patient! Give us a call today at 410-355-3131 or 410-793-7670! For more information, as well as updates on veterinary news and topics, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!