Did you know that a toothache can cause as much pain to your cat as it does to you? It can make it difficult for them to eat and maintain their hygiene. In Ketchum, we have qualified veterinarians who can guide you in ensuring good oral health for your feline companion.
Cat Dental Care
Cats are skilled at concealing any signs of pain they may be experiencing. They can suffer from painful oral health problems, yet do not indicate discomfort. Therefore, owners must pay attention to their feline's oral health and maintain their pet's dental hygiene. Regularly cleaning and monitoring your cat's teeth will enable you to detect any oral health problems early on, helping your pet avoid pain and expensive treatments.
Annual Dental Checkups For Your Feline Family Member
Veterinarians highly recommend scheduling scheduling annual dental exams for your pets to ensure their mouths remain healthy and pain-free. Preventive dental care can help avoid any suffering that our pets may be experiencing without our knowledge.
During these annual dental checkups, your veterinarian will evaluate your pet's oral health in addition to their overall physical health to determine if any professional dental cleaning or surgery is required to restore your pet's good health.
Moreover, regular dental checkups also allow your vet to teach you how to clean your pet's teeth and prevent dangerous plaque and tartar buildup in their mouths.
Routine Dental Care For Cats
Establishing a daily oral hygiene routine for your cat is important to ensure good dental health in the long run. Start the routine when your cat is still young to make it easy and less stressful.
This way, your cat will be familiar with teeth cleaning and mouth touching from an early age.
The objective is to make brushing your cat's teeth an effortless and stress-free part of their daily routine. Wait until your cat is calm and relaxed before initiating the process. Follow the steps below to make the process as easy as possible.
- Gently lift your cat's lips, then use your finger to massage their teeth and gums for just a few seconds.
- Don't expect too much from your cat at first. You may only be able to reach a couple of teeth the first few times you try this process. That's okay though. This is about building trust in your cat to help prevent them from becoming agitated.
- Remain calm, and be sure to give lots of praise and a yummy treat after your teeth-and-gum massage. You're trying to build your cat's tolerance to the experience, gradually increasing the length of time you spend on the task each day.
- Once your feline friend is used to you massaging their gums each day, you will be able to gradually introduce a soft-bristled toothbrush you can acquire from your vet and some special cat toothpaste. Toothpaste can come in a range of excellent flavors for cats, like beef or chicken.
- Begin using the toothbrush as gradually as you did the teeth-and-gum massage; your cat may begin by licking just a small dab of toothpaste from your finger.
If you want to brush your cat's teeth, it's important to keep in mind that their temperament will play a big role in how easy or difficult it is. You should be flexible and adjust your approach based on how tolerant your cat is of the process. Some cat owners easily clean their teeth with some gauze, while others prefer using a finger brush or applying dental gel with their fingers.
When you start brushing your cat's teeth, it's important to move along the gum line quickly, but stop before your cat becomes irritated. It may take several weeks before your cat tolerates having all of their teeth cleaned during a single session. If your cat becomes stressed or alarmed during teeth cleaning, they may react by scratching or biting. In such cases, it's better to consider adding plaque remover additives to their drinking water, getting them specially designed-chew toys, or providing them with tasty dental treats.
In addition to your efforts to keep your cat's teeth clean and healthy, it's essential to take them for regular professional dental cleanings performed by a qualified veterinarian to maintain optimal dental health. To learn more about the veterinary dental care options available, check out our dentistry page at .
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.