Dental Health: Caring for your Cat’s Teeth

Dental Health: Caring for your Cat’s Teeth

by Freya Britt-Lewis, Customer Care & Pet Health Writer

We can all agree that dental hygiene is among the most important daily health routines a person can have. Not only does it leave our breath feeling minty fresh and clean, it also keeps us medically healthy. Our cats are no different to us – dental care for cats is just as important as it is for you, your children, or even your dog.

It is a well-known fact that 70% of our cats over three years of age have dental disease, otherwise known as periodontal (gum) disease. This is an uncomfortable condition caused by plaque and tartar build up and an increased bacterial load around the teeth and gums. Other adverse effects on your precious family members include:

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Yellow or brown crust cemented onto teeth (tartar)
• Swollen, red or bleeding gums (gingivitis)
• Unwilling to eat harder food, or a change in eating habits
• Tooth loss
• Drooling
• Weight loss (though in the majority of cases, a cat would rather continue to eat through pain rather than go hungry)

Lack of dental hygiene is not the only cause; age (older pets are more susceptible),breed(flat faced cats that have crowded or misaligned teeth), and diet also plays a role. It is imperative that cat owners are aware of these issues and create individual routines for their cats to combat this disease.

So how can you help?

Home Care

Home care is where it all begins! Beginning your cat’s dental hygiene journey in the home is extremely important for controlling plaque formation and preventing dental disease. Something as simple as adding Oxyfresh Water Additive daily to your feline’s water supply, or giving them dental chews several times per week, such as Greenies, can make all the difference. Greenies are formulated crunchy dental treats for cats over 12 months of age. The motion of chewing mechanically scrapes away layers of plaque and tartar to minimise build-up and promote dental health.

Diet

Veterinary prescription diets such as Hills Feline T/D Dental Care can be easily integrated into your cat’s daily routine in order to give your cat the best care possible. The kibble has a unique shape and size for optimal mechanical motion, special fiber matrix technology, and complete and balanced nutrition. How it works:

• By cleaning the tooth surface
• Fighting plaque build up
• Promoting overall health in your cat

Hills T/D has been awarded the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal of approval for the control of plague and tartar in both canine and feline formulas.

Veterinary Care

While a good home care routine is helpful in reducing dental disease in cats, it is not 100% effective, so at Turramurra Veterinary Hospital, we include dental checks with our regular consultations and vaccinations.

Dental Procedure

Your vet may recommend a dental procedure. In this case, your cat’s teeth will be graded, and your cat scheduled for a dental scale and polish procedure. This involves a general anaesthetic, scaling to remove tartar, flushing the gums and polishing the teeth. If an abnormality is seen, your vet may recommend dental x-rays to check tooth viability.

If you are in any way concerned about your cat, or would like to get on top of your cat’s dental hygiene, book in a veterinary consultation to assess your cat’s teeth.