Kitten/Cat Advice: Dental Care
Regular dental checks are important to check the health of your cat’s teeth and detect issues early if they arise. Cats accumulate debris and bacteria on their teeth and this hardens over time to form tartar. Tartar can cause painful gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and tooth loss if not prevented with daily brushing or a regular dental scale and polish.
Cats are at greater risk of health problems when tartar is allowed to build up over time. Tartar can enter the blood stream making them very unwell.
Cats are very clever at hiding pain so it can be difficult to notice if they are suffering with dental disease. Things to look out for:
- Inappetence (loss of appetite)
- Not eating dry food
- Hyper salivating
- Bad breath
- Change in behaviour
- Acting aggressively
All cats benefit from regular dental checks regardless of abnormal signs. If you are unable to brush your cat’s teeth at home it is advised to plan for a regular dental scale and polish to ensure its teeth are kept healthy and in optimal condition.
How to introduce your cat to the toothbrush:
- Begin by purchasing a cat sized toothbrush and toothpaste. Human toothpaste is not recommended as it may contain harmful ingredients.
- Desensitise your cat to having its mouth opened and touched. Start slow and reward with food when touched; it’s important not to rush these stages. Go at your cat’s pace.
- Allow your cat to see the tooth brush throughout the day so it doesn’t become a trigger. Reward with food for any interaction. Let your cat try the toothpaste to ensure it likes the taste. If not, a different flavour might be needed.
- Wait to clean your cat’s teeth until it is around 6 months old and all adult teeth have erupted to avoid causing pain when it is teething.
- Introduce the toothbrush slowly, having it in your hand as you open the cat’s mouth and reward with food straight after.
- Begin to touch your cat’s teeth with the toothbrush and reward with food straight after.
- Once your cat is comfortable with the toothbrush entering its mouth you can begin to brush, slowly building up the brush time at a pace comfortable for your cat.
- Don’t forget to reward your cat throughout this process and never force these interactions; all cats learn and desensitise at different paces.
- Start brushing regularly. Make it part of your routine making it hard to forget.
