Good cat dental health is as important to your cat's health as it is for you
Bad teeth and gum infections are very painful for your cat and require medical attention to correct. Periodontal disease is a serious aspect of dental disease and greatly affects the health and well-being of your cat. We want to avoid your cat needing surgery and extensive antibiotic treatments to control poor dental health so we evaluate your cat's dental condition at least once a year. Our medical care team can provide you with many options to promote good dental health at home so call us today to set up a dental health exam!
What is natural dental care for cats?
Feline dental care begins at home -- with no special tools or products. Once or twice a week, you can take a gauze pad moistened with a small amount of room temperature water, lift your cat's lip slightly, and gently rub back and forth over the teeth and gums on both sides of your cat's mouth. This can reduce or prevent dental disease and gingivitis, which can lead to tooth loss and infection. It also allows your cat to become used to having his or her mouth handled if further dental intervention becomes necessary.
Which foods are good for dental care?
Feeding your cat dry food, or kibble, as part of its regular diet is the first step in preventing dental disease. For some cats, this step is not enough: some food manufacturers have created over the counter (OTC) and veterinarian-prescribed dental diets. OTC dental diets contain very large kibbles that encourages your cat to chew rather than just swallow food, and the rubbing action of kibble against tooth helps clear debris off teeth. Veterinarian-prescribed diets are meant for cats for whom supermarket or pet store foods are not effective. Larger in size, these kibbles are also designed with a matrix that brushes your cat's teeth. We often recommend feeding dental diets in place of treats or as part of the cat's dry food diet, as some cats develop constipation when fed exclusively dental-centric food. Some of our favorite dental foods are made by Royal Canin, Hills/Science Diet, and Purina.
How much does cat dental care cost?
By taking those simple steps, you can help prevent feline dental disease. Additionally, regular annual or semi-annual veterinary exams will help root out dental disease before it’s severe, and will save you thousands of dollars, as well as extend your cat's life. Feline dentistry requires. Deneral anesthesia and can cost more than $1,000, depending on the necessary procedures. Additionally, dental disease can result in kidney failure, heart and thyroid disease, and chronic infections that over time can add up to thousands of dollars -- and can considerably shorten your cat's lifespan.