3 Cat Dental Care Tips
If you are a responsible cat owner, you feed your cat high-quality food, keep them comfortable and entertained at home, and probably make sure they get into the vet for routine check-ups. One area of cat care you shouldn't overlook is dental care. Most cats over the age of four have some form of dental disease, which can easily lead to pain, possible infection, and difficulty eating. To prevent this and keep your cat's teeth healthy, just follow these three tips:
Brush Your Cat's Teeth
Just like people, cats can easily get tartar buildup on their teeth. Over time, this can lead to issues such as loose teeth, gum infections, cavities, and more. The best way to tend to your cat's teeth and remove food debris before it turns into tartar is to regularly brush their teeth. You should do this with a specially designed cat toothbrush and toothpaste that is designed to taste appealing to cats.
If your cat will not tolerate having their teeth brushed, an alternative is to add teeth-cleaning powder to their food or give them teeth-cleaning treats.
Have Your Cat's Teeth Professionally Cleaned
In addition to brushing their teeth at home, vets usually recommend that you have their teeth professionally cleaned every one or two years. Professional cleaning allows your cat's teeth to get as clean as possible, removing harmful build-up, and also allows your cat's vet to notice if any teeth are cracked, loose, or otherwise need to be removed.
After a professional tooth cleaning, your cat's teeth will be pristine and polished and their breath will be much more pleasant.
Enlist the Help of a Cat Dentist
While your cat's regular vet can likely complete the dental cleaning, an even better option is to go to a specialized cat dentist. These are vets who have received extensive training in the complicated area of cat dentistry. This is especially important if your cat is older or otherwise prone to dental issues.
A cat dentist is more likely to have x-ray technology available to them and will know exactly how to keep your cat as comfortable as possible during their exam and cleaning. They will also have the expertise to extract any teeth that need to be removed in order for your cat to be without pain.
By working with a cat dentist and following the tips in this article, you will help ensure that your cat's mouth stays healthy and that your cat stays comfortable and pain-free. For more information, contact a local cat dentist.