How to Look After Your Cats Teeth
It’s a common fact that eight out of ten cats older than three years old have tooth and gum problems, which is often not actually acknowledged by cat owners. It can take months before your cats’ disease is diagnosed by vets, so it’s important to be aware of this and care for your cats’ teeth from the very beginning. We all look after our teeth daily, so it’s time to start making sure our cats are getting the same dental treatment.
The Warning Signs
Cats are very private pets, but sometimes you have to be a little invasive of their personal space to be kind. Just like humans, cats gather plaque on their teeth, which in time can form tartar which can become irritable on the gums. Unlike humans, our cats can’t tell us that their gums are sore or irritable, so it’s our job to prevent this and keep them as comfortable as possible. Usually, the first signs of cat dental issues are bad breath. When your cat gets bad breath, it may be time to start thinking about the condition of their teeth and gums. Similarly, you may notice other symptoms such as red gums, drooling and yellow tartar on their teeth.
Dental Care Products
The pet care industry is huge and with that, we have access to almost any product you could possibly need to keep our pets healthy and happy. For dental care, however, there are certain products available that are essential and very useful to have to hand. One of the most obvious and successful products is a pet toothbrush. Just like we brush our teeth every day, now you can help keep your cats’ teeth sparkly and clean by brushing them too. Granted, it’s never going to be an easy task so you may want to invest in some dental treats like the Purina DentaLife cat treats, as these help to clean your cats’ teeth as they chew and crunch through each treat. The best pet toothbrush and gel on the market is the Beaphar range, which is available at Petwell. These particular brushes and gels are designed for both cats and dogs, with a dual headed toothbrush to help reach hard to get areas.
Brushing Your Cats Teeth
As mentioned above, brushing your cats’ teeth can be a challenge, especially if they really don’t want you to do it. Brushing is, however, the best way to avoid gum disease and keep their teeth healthy and clean, so it’s essential to add this into your petcare routine. The best way to succeed with cat teeth brushing is to introduce it to your cat from an early age. As a young kitten, your cat is less likely to have developed an attitude and reject your attempts to brush their teeth. They’re also learning so much at this age and if they identify teeth brushing as a positive, pain-free experience then they won’t hesitate the next time you come to brush. Simply look at choosing a certain time to brush your cats’ teeth, as getting them into a routine will help a lot. You should also start with the gel on your finger, letting your cat get a taste of the product before you go in on their teeth with the toothbrush. This will simply help to familiarise them with the toothpaste and keep them calm and content.
Visiting the Vet
If you’ve tried everything you can and you still feel like your cat’s dental hygiene isn’t as it should be, then you can always take a trip to your cats’ vet to get some professional help and advice. You may find that they suggest a dental plan or tablets to help, depending on your cats dental condition.