Brushing your cat’s teeth is as important as brushing your own teeth. It is in fact one of the essential components to maintaining a healthy lifestyle for her. According to Autumn Trails, Veterinary Center in Charlottesville, a lot of pet owners come with their cats having poor dental health.
So it is important to learn how to take good care of the dental health of your pet at home. In this post, we’ll look at some of the most common ways you can achieve this. Since cats are carnivores, they need their teeth to be clean, strong, and sharp.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of oral hygiene care provided to them at home, they can develop cavities, plaque, and other dental problems over time. If your pet cat has developed a tooth problem, it may take you quite a while to figure it out.
Cats are very good at hiding their pain because it is a natural instinct to protect themselves from appearing vulnerable to predators.
If she refuses to sleep or appears aggressive, it could indicate that something is wrong within her mouth.
Keep A Watch Over Your Cat’s Teeth Health
- Cats can develop plaque on their teeth just as fast as humans do. This thin film on their teeth formed by food particles, saliva, and bacteria can quickly convert to tartar which can cause gum infection and other oral problems.
The same bacteria from the plaque can cause infection in the lungs, liver, heart, and kidneys of the cat too. This is why it is so important to keep a check.
Signs That Your Cat Needs Dental Checkup
- A visit to the vet can almost always help you find out if there is an underlying dental condition in your cat. But it pays to check for these signs at home to find out the same.
- Bleeding gums. If you see a dark red line along the gums of your cat, there is a problem.
- Ulcers. Ulcers can develop on the gum if dental health is poor.
- Bad Breath. An unusually strong odor can suggest digestive problems as well as a dental problem. Visit your vet to learn more.
- Difficulty chewing. If your cat refuses to eat or struggles to eat, there is probably something wrong.
- Excessive drooling. This is a sure shot sign of a dental problem.
- Swollen gums. If gums appear larger than usual, it could be a problem. If unintended, this can lead to tooth loss, gum disease, or several other problems with the general wellness of the cat.
Take your cat to a vet immediately if you notice these signs. They may recommend a professional dental cleaning treatment following all the necessary pre-requisites.
- Your vet will take a complete oral exam of the pet to look for problems. A full cleaning treatment will be provided to prevent gum disease. The vet will also provide scaling to remove plaque and tartar from the crown of the teeth.
If you are unsure how to take care of your cat’s dental health, or you struggle with brushing their teeth, talk to Autumn Trails veterinary center today. We provide cat dental care as part of our regular wellness appointment or during separate visits.
Call us today to book your appointment today.
