Getting your cat’s teeth cleaned regularly by a professional is a great way to prevent feline dental disease.
Oral hygiene is just as important for animals as it is for humans. However, it can be difficult to clean your cat’s teeth on your own because most cats don’t like the inside of their mouths being touched. This makes them more susceptible to dental diseases and it is something all cat owners should be on the lookout for. Here is what you need to know about feline dental disease.
The Stats
Surprisingly, 70% of cats around the age of 2 will start to show some signs of feline dental disease. The most common sign in the beginning stages is a buildup of plaque that eventually turns into tartar. This buildup can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease if you don’t get it removed. These conditions can cause cats to lose teeth and make them more prone to other infections in the body.
Causes
Plaque is the biggest cause of bad breath and gum disease in cats. It is a colorless film that accumulates on your cat’s teeth as a result of them not being brushed regularly. As cats get older, they become more likely to acquire a feline dental disease. A feline dental disease is both preventable and treatable. You can talk to a professional about getting your cat examined and their teeth cleaned on a regular basis.
Signs
The first and most common sign that your cat has a feline dental disease is bad breath. Aside from this, here are some other signs that your cat may have a dental disease:
- Sore mouth
- Struggling to eat
- Tooth loss
- Pawing at the mouth
- Bleeding gums
- Tartar on the teeth
Nutrition
The food that you give your cat has a big impact on their oral health. Dry cat food is beneficial for your cat because crunching on the food helps to clean the teeth and scrape away buildup. They also sell cat foods specifically designed for cats that already have gingivitis or other diseases to help clean their teeth better.
Contact Catonsville Cat Clinic Today!
For 20 years, the Catonsville Cat Clinic has been providing quality veterinary care to the cats of Catonsville and beyond! Dr. Pam Nesbitt, who purchased the practice in July of 2011, runs the Catonsville Cat Clinic with compassion in mind. A team of professionals with an advanced level of veterinary medicine is at your service to make sure your cat is healthy and happy. So stop on by; we’d love to get to know you and your cat!
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