February was Dental Awareness Month. Or how I like to call it, DAM! Because damn, it’s hard to brush your cat’s teeth.
In the UK, 85% of cats over three years old suffer from periodontal disease!
Periodontal disease is the loss of the structures that hold the tooth in place. It begins with gingivitis, the swelling, soreness and bleeding of the cat’s gums. Gingivitis is cause by the build-up of plaque and the best way to stop the build-up of plaque and prevent dental disease is daily brushing at home and annual veterinary dental cleans.
85% of cats suffer from periodontal disease because a lot of cat owners find out they need to brush their cat's teeth when their cat is 5-6 years old & already with gingivitis. This makes it hard for the owner because brushing cat’s teeth with a toothbrush requires cooperation from the cat, motivation from the owner and technical ability from the owner.
Cats don't like to be forced to do anything, especially when you’re poking something in their mouth.
We’re going to look at the solutions available now for you to clean your cat’s teeth. We’ll look at the pros, the cons & how to use it.
Toothbrush
How to use
Let your cat taste the cat toothpaste off your finger – do this for a few days.
When your cat goes to lick the toothpaste, slowly & gently rub your finger with the toothpaste on your cat’s front teeth – do this for a few days.
Keep doing step 2, progress by increasing the duration of time you can rub the teeth and try to eventually reach the back teeth.
Once you can reach all teeth, introduce the toothbrush.
Pros:
· Very effective (when able to be used) at removing plaque.
· Cheap
· Stimulate blood flow to gums, helping recovery.
· Gold standard of preventative care.
Cons:
· Not cat friendly.
· A lot of technical ability and patience needed from the owner.
· Hard to do daily brushing.
· Can only clean the buccal surfaces of cat’s teeth.
· Easier to use on kittens and harder with adult cats
Dental Wand
How to use
Fill the Dental Wand with Churru or Lick-e-lix and give it to your cat to bite.
Later on that day, play with your cat using the Dental Wand – watch your cat bite and clean its own teeth.
Repeat steps 1 & 2 for 3 more days, increasing the amount of cat toothpaste you add inside the Dental Wand until it is only filled with cat toothpaste.
Play with your cat, they will clean their own teeth.
Pros:
Cat-friendly
Brush your cat’s teeth from the first try.
Can be used on cats of all ages.
Brushes & spreads enzymatic toothpaste on buccal and lingual surfaces of cat’s teeth.
Boosts the bond between you and your cat.
Stimulates blood flow to gums, improving recovery.
Can be easily used daily.
Can be used on cats with gingivitis.
Can substitute brushing.
Cons:
Cat cannot be left alone with the Dental Wand.
It must be cleaned after every use.
Water / Food Additives
How to use
Add a bit over your cat’s food or into your cat’s water.
That’s it!
Pros:
Easy to use.
Very passive, you do not need to get close to your cat’s mouth.
Can be used on cats with gingivitis.
Can be easily used daily.
Cons:
Cat might stop eating or drinking water – either occurring is detrimental to their health.
Helps break down plaque but there is no way of focusing the cleaning on all teeth.
Mainly the pre-molars and molars going to be affected by the additives.
Fairly expensive product to buy bi/monthly.
Cannot be used as a substitute for brushing.
Oral Care Treats
How to use
Give to your cats after their food or at a certain time of the day.
Add some enzymatic cat toothpaste before serving for added cleaning power.
Pros:
Easy to use.
Very passive, you do not need to get close to your cat’s mouth.
Can be easily used daily.
Cheap.
Cons:
May increase the daily calories consumed by the cat if not managed correctly, this will make the cat overweight.
Only the pre-molars and molars affected by the treats cleaning power.
Cannot be used as a substitute for brushing.
Final Purrs of Advice
Never give up or do nothing.
Always look for the VOHC label on oral care treats or additives.
Always use CAT toothpaste and if it's enzymatic then even better
Don’t give your cat bones.
Frequently check the status of your cat’s teeth – tutorial video here.
Home care is fantastic and vital to do daily, but you still have to have a veterinary dental clean every 12-18 months.
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