Mary Allen
An adult cat has 30 teeth. Since dental problems such as tartar or gingivitis are a common reason why cat owners have to take their pets to the vet, you should keep your house tiger’s teeth clean and healthy with dental care.
What Causes Dental Problems in Cats?
When food residue is left on or between teeth, it attracts bacteria, which in turn causes dental problems. Especially if the cat has teeth that are too close together or, like most cats, it drinks little water, this means that the cat’s teeth will never get properly cleaned by themselves.
The pure administration of wet food also promotes dental problems, although it is in principle healthier than dry food. The cat does not have to chew on it as much and the softer consistency means there is no abrasion on the teeth. Inflammation and recession of the gums can be one of the consequences.
Dental Care for Your Cat: Here’s How
To prevent dental problems, there is a special cat toothpaste that you can apply carefully with your fingers to clean teeth and gums. The condition for this is that your four-legged friend is good at the procedure. It’s best to get your baby kitten used to accept touches of teeth and gums.
If it doesn’t work at all, your house tiger has to do the work himself: Get special food with a dental care effect from your veterinarian or in a pet shop. Coarse, sugar-free dry food or tooth cleaning treats, for example, cause more wear on the teeth when the cat bites them. Your veterinarian will also have special pastes that you can add to the food.
If your cat is already suffering from tartar or other dental problems, the veterinarian can help. He removes the tartar under anesthesia and thus prevents the after-effects before you ensure that the problem does not come back with dental care.