Dental Hygiene
In the wild your cat's ancestors exercised their teeth by catching prey and chewing the carcass. Our pampered pet cats however, live on a diet of soft foods, which encourage the development of plaque. This forms on the teeth just below the gum line and causes the accumulation of brown cement called tartar. If left, this tartar allows bacteria to breed causing gum disease (gingivitis) and tooth decay.
If we humans didn't brush our teeth twice daily you can imagine how unhealthy our gums and teeth might be, so it helps if you can brush your cat's teeth. If you start when your cat is young you will stop the tartar cementing on to the teeth. Once the tartar has accumulated only your vet can remove it under general anaesthetic with an ultrasonic dental scaler.
Signs of Dental Disease
  • Bad breath (halitosis)
  • Inflamed gums
  • Painful eating (your cat will only eat soft foods)

How to Prevent Dental Disease

  • Regular toothbrushing
  • Feeding dry foods - these are more abrasive and help exercise your cat's teeth

Cleaning Your Cat's Teeth

Regular teeth cleaning is essential to keep your cat's gums free from infection. Start by using a cotton bud, and when your cat is relaxed rub some meat-flavoured toothpaste gently on to the gums. Do this every day for a week or two. Once your cat has become accustomed to having you touch his gums, buy a soft cat toothbrush and with a circular motion brush gently along the gum/teeth margin.

Gingivitis

Inflamed gums are a very common problem in cats and can even affect young cats. Dental problems do lead to gingivitis, but other causes of gingivitis in cats are feline leukaemia, feline aids virus and kidney problems. If your cat is showing red gums and has bad breath in spite of toothbrushing, your vet may need to run some blood tests to check for any underlying disease.

Remember - Prevention is Better than Cure!
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