Cat dental health is just as important of everything other aspect of their health and wellbeing. Learn about the importance of cat dental health and how to keep your cat’s teeth healthy and clean.
Your Cat’s Teeth and Their Overall Health
Just like humans, your cat’s teeth can and gums can experience gum disease, periodontal disease, tooth loss and other dental concerns. This is all due to a buildup of plaque and bacteria which forms tartar and gets under your cat’s gums. The longer it sits there, the greater chance of it turning into a serious dental disease.
Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions and Cat Cavities
Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORL), sometimes referred to as cat cavities, is a common dental disease affecting many cats. It starts as a tooth lesion and then progresses into the dentin of your cat’s teeth. If the lesion develops too far, the tooth needs to be removed. Practicing good cat dental health helps combat this and similar issues before it becomes serious.
Cat Dental Health at Home
Cats are known for being pretty self-reliant. However, while they take care of themselves in a lot of ways, taking care of their dental health is not on that list. Fortunately, there are many ways to practice good cat dental health at home that will keep their teeth in good condition in between visits to the veterinarian.
- Brush your cat’s teeth-The earlier you develop and set a teeth brushing routine for your cat, the easier it will be for you and your cat to follow through. Choose a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for cats.
- Use dental treats-There are also cat dental treats available that clean your cat’s teeth between brushing and after they eat.
- Monitor your cat’s food- Good and proper nutrition is key to good cat dental health.
Trips to the Veterinarian
It’s important to take good care of your cat’s teeth at home. However, many of the steps you take to practice good cat dental health at home requires guidance from a trusted veterinarian. A vet will let you know the best foods to feed your cat and recommend products that will make the most impact on your cat’s teeth. In addition, they’ll give your cat’s teeth a thorough cleaning to clean what you might have missed at home and find other hidden issues that could cause more serious issues. Therefore, make regular trips to see your vet.
At Regal Animal Hospital in Lake Worth, Florida, we offer comprehensive dental services because we care about cat dental health. We offer guidance for at-home maintenance care and routine dental cleanings, preventing advanced dental diseases and other serious health problems. A healthy pet is a happy pet!