If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

                               We, as people, take our dental health quite seriously.  We brush our teeth twice a day and floss once a day, at least we know we should.  We go to the dentist once or twice a year.  But what about our cats?  How much dental care do they need?

Aside from bad breath, neglecting your cat’s teeth can and probably will result in gum disease.  They can also develop plaque, gingivitis, periodontal disease, mouth sores and ulcers, and heart, liver, or kidney disease, just to name a few concerns.

First, check your cat’s teeth.  They should be white and shiny and the gums should be pink and not loose.  If the teeth are already quite dirty, take her to the vet for a professional cleaning and start good dental habits from there.

To prevent dental problems, start with dry food.  Cats should not eat only wet food.  At the least, mix some dry food in with the wet food every day.  The crunching action of chewing dry food can help to clean teeth.

Brush your cats teeth once a week.  Never use a human toothbrush or human toothpaste.  Pet stores sell brushes and paste for pets.  The toothpaste will have an appealing meaty flavor and the brush will be rubbery and very soft.  If your kitty resists the brushing, as she surely will, start off slow.  Put some of the toothpaste on your finger first and let her lick it.  Then, try rubbing her gums and teeth gently with your finger.  Finally, transition to the brush.

In addition to cleaning her teeth regularly at home, take your cat to the vet once a year for a professional cleaning.  Keeping your kitty’s teeth healthy could actually add to her life span!