Dental health problems can be as painful for cats as they are for humans. Pain in your kitty's mouth and teeth can even stop them from eating.The Tracy vets share dental care tips on how to keep your cat's mouth healthy and clean.
Will My Cat Always Show Signs of Dental Pain ?
Cats are very talented at hiding their physical pain. Your kitty could be experiencing a lot of pain in their mouth with out showing any signs at all. Pet parents need to be diligent when it comes to cleaning their cat's teeth and taking them to the vet for checkups. By keeping up good dental health habits any oral health problems can be found early to prevent your cat from experiencing more pain and pricy treatments. If you notice any of the following signs in your cat contact your vet because, it could indicate a dental problem:
- Bad breath
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- Refusing to eat
- Drooling
- Vomiting
Taking your cat to the vet is the best way to learn if your feline friend is experiencing any dental health issues.
Dental Checkups For Cats
To keep your cat's mouth pain-free and healthy the vets at Affordable Pet Vet Clinic suggest taking your kitty to a dental check up at-least once a year as part of a preventative care routine. This would be like taking them to the dentist. The vets will examine your cat's dental health as well as, perform a physical health evaluation to inform you if they need a professional dental cleaning or surgery to restore their overall wellbeing.
Establishing a Dental Care Routine For Cats
Make sure you brush and floss your cat's teeth as you would your own, a daily oral health routine can help keep your feline companion's mouth healthy and clean. To assist you in brushing your cat's teeth at home and to make the process as stress free as possible start this routine when they are still young, this gets your kitty used to having their teeth cleaned.
Making the task of brushing your cat's teeth an easy and low-stress process is your daily goal. To do this, wait for your cat to be calm before following these steps:
- Carefully lift your cat's lips, and massage your kitty's gums and teeth with a finger for a few seconds.
- Do not expect much patience from your cat at first. You may only accomplish a second or two on your first few attempts, that's fine. Just be careful to stop before your cat gets too excited.
- Stay calm and remember to give your kitty lots of treats and praise after the teeth-and-gum massage. You want your cat to build tolerance to the experience, continuously adding more time to the task everyday.
- As soon as your kitty is familiar with getting their gums and teeth massaged daily, you may gradually start including a soft-bristled toothbrush ( and possibly a toothpaste for cats) that's recommended by your vet. The cat toothpaste is available in a variety of flavors cats love including beef or chicken!
- Start introducing the toothbrush the same way as you did the teeth-and-gum massage (gradually); at first your cat might just lick a small bit of toothpaste from your finger tip.
The degree of your cat's teeth cleaning will mostly be based on your kitty's temperament. Be patient and flexible with the brushing method you use following your cat's tolerance level. Some people use a small piece of soft gauze or a finger to clean their cat's teeth because it works better, others use a cat dental gel on a finger or toothbrush and let the gel do the work.
When you start becoming successful at brushing your cat's teeth, work along the gum line moving quickly and stop before your cat becomes impatient and angry. However, you need to keep in mind it could be weeks before your cat can tolerate having all their teeth brushed in one go.
In the case your cat becomes stressed or alarmed when you try brushing their teeth they could start biting and scratching. Therefore, if this task is too difficult contemplate getting them dental chew toys and treats or putting plaque remover additives in their water dish.
On top of your at-home oral hygiene routine your cat will also require routine professional dental cleanings from your veterinarian to keep their teeth in an ideal condition.
To learn more about the dental care we offer at Affordable Pet Vet Clinic visit our dentistry page.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
