SolveYourProblem.com Article Series: Cat Care
Cat Care Tips
Cat
Dental Care
Most pet owners can spot their pet’s health issues right away.
One health problem that may not be so easy to find is dental
disease. Cats, just like humans, can have problems with
their teeth. As cats age, most do have some form
of periodontal disease. Only a vet can tell for certain, but there are
things that you can look for when you suspect dental problems
with your cat.
Most vets would agree that dental problems can stem from other
sorts of health issues and should not be ignored. Proper health
check ups with the veterinarian and spot dental problems before
they get out of hand, In addition, there are several steps
you can take as a pet owner to help your cat have healthy teeth
and gums.
To help your cat’s teeth stay in top shape, there are several
things you can do. First, make sure your cat sees the
vet, sick or not, once a year for a health exam. The veterinarian
will be able to spot dental problems during annual exams. Your
vet will look for bad breath, tooth decay, and missing teeth.
All of these can point to more serious issues.
Another way to help your kitty have healthy teeth is to brush
your cat’s teeth. Yes, there are special toothbrushes and paste
that will help your kitty keep his or her teeth healthy. Daily
brushing is recommended, but for most cats, twice a week will
suffice. Most pet stores carry cat toothbrushes and soft rubber
brushes that fit on your finger. If your cat is reluctant,
try to do only a small portion of the mouth at first and then
add more each day. If you have a kitten, start brushing his
or her teeth very early to get used to the routine. There are
specially made toothpastes that are available. Most cats enjoy
the taste and will think of brushing as a treat.
One product that is available to help keep kitty’s mouth healthy
is specially made rinses. These are good for older cats and
cats that already have dental issues. These special rinses
come in antiseptic gels, rinses and flavored sprays. It is
not recommended to use these instead of brushing, but the rinse
will help with tooth decay.
Just as dogs can benefit from chewing so can cats. There are
numerous products available for cats to chew to help their
teeth and gums. Some are flavored with fish or poultry, which
appeals to most cats. The abrasive texture of these dental
chews helps remove food, debris and plaque that can build up
on your cat’s teeth. Extreme caution should be used when giving
your cat a bone to chew for this purpose. Poultry bones are
extremely sharp and brittle. Small pieces of bone can become
lodged in your cat’s throat or digestive tract causing serious
trouble. Most vets recommend that chicken and turkey bones
never be given to cats for this reason.
Proper dental care in your cat is very important. Problems
with the teeth can be caused or can cause other health problems
including periodontal disease, feline stomatitis, Feline Odontoclastic
Oral Resorption Lesions (FORL) and malocclusion. Most of these
dental problems are treatable with proper medical care.
Periodontal disease is caused by build
up of plaque and tartar.
When tartar and plaque forms on the teeth is forces bacteria
and food debris underneath the gum line and around the jawbone.
This can cause inflamed gums and swelling and bleeding gums.
Bad breath is another common sign of periodontal disease. This
is the most common type of dental disease in cats and can be
treated with a cleaning along with the use of antibiotics.
Sometimes, extraction of some teeth is needed for extreme cases.
FORL is another form of dental disease often found in cats.
This can be compared to a cavity in a human. Lesions on the
teeth begin to form in the enamel of a tooth. When the plaque
accumulates, the tissue around the affected tooth becomes inflamed.
Sometimes the irritation can extend into the pulp cavity and
can kill the tooth. If your cat has FORL, the vet will usually
recommend extracting the affected tooth.
Feline
Stomatitis is a very serious form of dental disease
in cats. This is usually seen as an autoimmune disease and
is most commonly found in cats that already suffer from more
serious health issues. Stomatitis is caused when the body rejects
and becomes allergic to the plaque on the teeth. Sometimes
it can spread into the throat causing painful red lesions.
When a cat has stomatitis, it will become very uncomfortable
and may stop eating. You should seek the advice of your veterinarian
right away.
Another type of dental disease that cats can have is called
malocclusion. This is when the teeth are not aligned properly.
When a human has forms of malocclusion, braces are in order.
When cats suffer from severe forms of this, it can cause difficulty
with eating and lead to severe weight loss. With the advances
in technology, there are now specialized vets that deal with
orthodontics in pets.
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