Mary Allen
Gingivitis in cats is quite painful! Here you can find out why quick action is important and what you can do.
Gingivitis is a painful and common ailment in cats. We reveal how you can relieve and prevent inflammation.
Gingivitis – what is it anyway?
Gingivitis in cats is an often very painful inflammation of the gums. In some cases, the inflammation can also spread to the oral mucosa, i.e. the inside of the cheeks and the palate.
Symptoms: recognize gingivitis in the cat
Cats are real masters at hiding pain and other problems. Nevertheless, you can detect gingivitis in cats based on certain symptoms. These signs are common:
- general malaise
- increased salivation
- lower food intake
- weight loss
- bad breath
- dull, shaggy fur
- contact avoidance
If you then carefully look into the cat’s little mouth, it shows up in the case of gingivitis:
- strongly reddened,
- often swollen and
- in some cases even bleeding gums.
It’s obvious that it hurts. So don’t blame your cat if it wasn’t so cuddly and approachable recently.
Which cats get gum disease?
Unfortunately, gingivitis, i.e. inflammation of the gums in cats, can affect any animal. It’s not just sick or old cats that are affected.
Clarify causes
Gingivitis can have a variety of causes. In order to find the right treatment, it is important to clarify with the vet how the cat’s gingivitis came about. Effective and lasting healing can only take place once the exact cause has been identified.
An examination of the cat’s teeth and gums is also important because if you treat yourself incorrectly, the inflammation can turn into chronic gingivitis, which has many serious consequences for cats:
- tooth loss,
- organ damage and
- inflammation of the jawbone
are just a few of the possible complications.
If you suspect or discover gingivitis or another disease in your darling, go to the vet as soon as possible and get advice. If tartar is the reason for the inflammation, professional teeth cleaning may even be sufficient.
Help: You can do this for your cat
It is important to follow the veterinarian’s advice so that the inflammation of the gums subsides quickly and the cat becomes symptom-free again. In addition to the treatments and the prescribed medication, the following (home) remedies can also help the house tiger to recover:
- Aloe vera gel
- cold chamomile and ginger tea
- the homeopathic remedy Traumeel
- essential oils (e.g. clove, lavender, lemon balm, sage, or rosemary)
These home remedies for gingivitis in cats often don’t cost much, are mostly natural, and help many animals quite well.
Your cat may have a genetic predisposition that promotes gingivitis. Or she suffers from a malposition of the teeth that irritates the gums. In these cases, the home remedies mentioned above can of course only provide relief, but cannot permanently combat the cause.
It is therefore very important that not only the symptoms but also the triggers are recognized and combated. This is the only way you can give your cat a happy and healthy life in the long term. The veterinarian knows best what the real problem is and what helps your furry friend so that it can play and eat carefree again quickly.
Prevent
The best way to avoid gum infections in the future is to prevent them. Sometimes a change in diet, a regular check of the mouth and teeth, or a prophylactic tooth cleaning at the vet is enough.
If you notice any changes in your teeth or gums, please do not wait unnecessarily long. Contact your veterinary practice and introduce your cat or tomcat there. The doctor can not only treat gingivitis, he can also give valuable tips on how to properly care for your cat’s teeth. Proper dental care and nutrition are among the most important factors for healthy gums.
Since every cat is different, it is also advisable to ask the veterinarian what your cat needs specifically to avoid getting gingivitis in the future. In some cases, antibiotics may not be necessary.
It is best to get your cat used to brushing its teeth and regular check-ups at the vet from an early age. If the cat is older, special dental care treats can support the natural cleaning of the teeth.