|
|
 For
your cat pet to enjoy time with you, she must always be in good health. Like
you, if the pets are feeling pain they are unable to feel the mood of having
fun!
|
|
|
Good
dental health begins with the proper diet
The wrong kinds of
food can cause dental distress in pets. Feeding your cat a dry
food rather than a moist, canned one will, through its mild abrasive
action on the teeth, help remove the bacterial plaque that can
harden into tartar. Dry food also provides adequate chewing exercise
and gum stimulation. Avoid giving your pet sweets and table scraps
as they may also increase plaque and tartar formation. Your vet
may recommend the use of special dry foods designed to reduce
plaque and tartar buildup, especially if your pet is prone to
dental problems due to his breed or individual genetic history.
Brushing
your pet’s teeth
Cats need to have
their teeth brushed in order to eliminate the dental plaque that
can cause tooth decay and the formation of tartar, which can lead
to gum disease. You should begin a regular, daily brushing routine
as soon as you bring your new kitten home. Even older cats can
be trained to accept having their teeth brushed. You simply need
to introduce the activity gradually and make the experience a
positive one for your pet. Reassure and praise him profusely throughout
the process and reward him with a very special treat when it’s
finished. Here’s how it can be done:
 |
Phase 1
Start
by dipping a finger in tuna water or warm water. Rub
this finger gently over your pet’s gums and one or two
teeth. Repeat until your pet seems fairly comfortable
with this activity. |
Phase 2
Gradually,
introduce a gauze-covered finger and gently scrub the
teeth with a circular motion. |
Phase 3
Then,
you can begin to use a toothbrush, either an ultra-soft
model designed for people (baby tooth-brushes work well
for cats) or a special pet tooth-brush or finger brush,
which is a rubber finger covering with a small brush
built in at its tip. |
Phase 4
Finally,
once your pet is used to brushing, introduce the use
of pet toothpaste in liquid or paste form. Most of these
contain chlorhexidine or stannous fluoride—ask your
veterinarian for his or her recommendations. Don’t use
human toothpaste, as it can upset your pet’s stomach
and cause your cat to foam at the mouth. Your vet may
also advise the use of an antiseptic spray or rinse
after brushing. |
|
|
Don't
forget a yearly dental checkup
Doing your best to
ensure that your cat receives the proper diet and regular brushing
at home will help maintain his or her teeth and gums in top condition.
To provide optimum dental care at home, you need to start with
a clean bill of dental health. That’s where your pet’s veterinarian
comes in. He or she will give your pet a thorough examination
of the entire oral cavity to determine whether there are any underlying
problems and, especially important, tartar buildup. Brushing removes
plaque but not tartar, so if your pet’s teeth do have tartar,
your veterinarian will have to remove it with a professional cleaning
and polishing, usually accomplished under anaesthesia. After removing
the tartar above and below the gum line, your veterinarian may
treat your pet’s teeth with fluoride and will provide you with
instructions for home care and follow-up.
A few tips:
 |
Watch out for wood—letting your cat pick up
a piece of wood with his mouth can result in splinters and
gum damage. |
|
Don’t let your pet chew on hard materials like bones or
stones. They can wear down, even break teeth, damage gums
and lead to infection. |
A few statistics:
|
Kittens have their first 26 “milk” or deciduous teeth
at 2 to 3 weeks of age. Their 30 permanent teeth begin erupting
around 3 months. |
|
Cats have the fewest teeth of any common
domestic mammal. |
|
|
|
|
