You often hear about dogs being taken to the vet for teeth cleaning, but you rarely hear about pet owners taking their cats in for dental care. It's important that you invest in your cat's dental care if you want your feline friend to lead a long and healthy life.
Cats are susceptible to many of the same dental issues as humans. Here are three simple things that you can do to help prevent your cat from getting gingivitis, cavities, and abscesses that can lead to long-term health issues.
1. Remove Plaque Daily
A clear, sticky film referred to as plaque builds up on the surface of your cat's teeth each day. It's important that you are proactive in removing this plaque if you want your cat to enjoy better oral health.
Plaque begins to harden into tartar within a matter of days. As tartar builds up along your cat's gum line, inflammation can begin to set in. The best way to remove plaque is by brushing your cat's teeth daily.
Many cat owners find it easiest to use a children's soft bristle toothbrush or a specially designed finger brush to thoroughly scrub all teeth. Brushing daily helps to prevent tartar buildup, which will protect your cat from a host of dental problems over time.
2. Recognize Dental Warning Signs
All cat owners should take the time to become familiar with some of the dental warning signs that may indicate their feline counterparts are experiencing issues. The faster you are able to identify a potential dental problem, the easier (and more affordable) it will be to get treatment for your cat.
Bad breath is one of the earliest indicators of a dental issue. Other warning signs you want to watch for include excessive drooling, difficulty eating, and head shaking.
Be sure to have a veterinarian experienced in feline dental care examine your pet as soon as you spot warning signs of dental pain.
3. Schedule Regular Cleanings
Just as people need to have their teeth cleaned regularly by a dentist, cats need to have regular dental attention as well.
You should make it a priority to schedule routine cleanings with your cat's veterinarian. These cleanings will provide the vet with the opportunity to inspect your cat's teeth and gums for damage.
A vet will also be able to utilize special tools to remove hardened tartar during a professional cleaning.
Reach out to a vet to learn more about pet dental care.
Veterinarians are essentially doctors for your pets. However, the term "vet" is actually quite fitting, since it rhymes with the word "pet."
Every pet should have a good vet, and they should see that vet often for checkups, vaccines, and flea and tick treatments. When a vet has a history with their client, they will be better able to treat that pet appropriately should something go wrong.
We love the work that veterinarians do, which is why we are so pleased to post about that work on this blog. We hope that by reading here, you become a more informed pet owner and veterinary clients.