Proper Dental Care for Cats

Dental Care for Cats

Cats by nature love to groom themselves. They are very adept at licking their coats and privates. For those hard to reach places, they enlist the help of other cats, and their humans too. However, no matter how much preening a cat does, it cannot quite perform proper oral hygiene on itself. This is where you as your pet’s primary care giver can help.

Why is cat dental care so important? Your cat’s teeth and mouth play an important role in helping it digest food properly.  The teeth help break the food down to digestible pieces which make it easier to swallow. The tongue helps a cat move the food down it esophagus. The salivary glands help moisten dry food to make it easier to chew and pass along. Also, your cat’s canine teeth (sharp saber-like teeth) are used to hunt and kill prey, and for self-defense. Therefore, your furry-friend’s oral hygiene is very important.

Six Common Dental Health Issues in Cats – if your cat is showing any one or more of these of these signs, take it to a veterinarian right away.

Eosinophilic Granuloma in cats: commonly referred to as Rodent Ulcer can be caused by allergies, genetics, or an autoimmune reaction. A swelling or large sore the upper lip is indicative that your cat has rodent ulcer.

Gingivitis in cats: senior cats are most prone to gingivitis which is an inflammation of the gums. It usually starts as a dark red line surrounding the teeth. Sores and ulcerations might develop if your cat’s gums are left untreated. Health Alert: This might be the sign of FIV or other infections.

Mouth Ulcers in cats: feline respiratory or kidney disease will cause ulcers on a cat’s tongue and gums.

Periodontitis in cats: a cat’s tooth will become loose and an abscess will form due to gingivitis invading the tooth socket.

Salivary Cysts in cats: cysts under the tongue will form if your cat’s salivary glands or ducts are blocked.

Stomatitis in cats: dental problems, viral diseases or foreign objects in your cat’s mouth will cause an inflammation of the mouth lining. The inside of your cat’s mouth will appear red, and it will have difficulty eating.

Dental care for cats – routine cat dental care at home positively affects a cat’s overall health. Good feline oral hygiene can be achieved with cat dental products which, not surprisingly, are very similar to products made for humans. Feline dental wipes, cat toothpastes and toothbrushes aid in the prevention of feline tooth decay. Dental chews formulated specifically for cats can reduce tartar buildup on teeth and decrease the occurrence of bad breath.

Dental chews for cats – dental chews can be given to your cat as a tasty treat while taking care of their teeth by removing plaque, providing total oral hygiene, fighting bad breath, and preventing gum disease.

Oral rinses and gels for cats – these products can be used with a toothbrush to remove food particles and debris from your cat’s teeth and gums or may be used as an oral rise. They provide easy mouth hygiene for your pet and help fight plaque.

Toothpaste and wipes for cats – are an excellent way to help keep your cat’s teeth healthy. Specially designed cat toothbrushes allow you to easily brush your cat’s teeth. Dental Wipes offer an alternative way to brushing your cat’s teeth.

In conclusion, a cat’s oral hygiene is essential to its health. Your cat can be susceptible to all sorts of ailments such as rodent ulcer, gingivitis, and stomatitis. Since cats are not able to care for their own teeth, you as a pet owner must step in and take care of it. Luckily, there are plenty of items such as dental chews, oral rinses, oral gels, toothpaste and wipes specifically designed to help you maintain your cat’s teeth in the best shape ever.

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