Like many animals, cats depend on their teeth for a variety of reasons, first and foremost for eating, but also for holding objects, catching and killing prey and defending themselves should the need arise. Keeping them healthy will not only prolong their ability to function properly but will also mean your pet is less likely to suffer from medical conditions that are associated with poor dental health. These include diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and some types of cancer.
As a committed and conscientious owner, you will want to be certain that you are doing everything that you can to keep your kitty’s teeth and mouth as healthy as possible. With this in mind, here are our top dental tips for cats.
Brush her teeth using a cat toothbrush
Brushing her teeth regularly is one of the best ways to ensure that your cat’s oral hygiene is up to scratch. This is because it enables you to clean away bacteria and food debris before they have chance to harm your cat’s dental health. Use a toothbrush that is designed especially for cats if you can. They are smaller than doggy and human varieties and tend to have softer bristles so that you don’t irritate or hurt the soft tissue of her gums. You should also. Make sure you use a toothpaste designed for cats since using your own could make her very sick.
Don’t forgo her dental check-up appointments
With busy lives, it can be easy to overlook any sort of check-up appointment, particularly if you have no reason to suspect that there is a problem with your cat’s general or dental health. Nevertheless, these visits are an important opportunity for your pet dentist in Navarre, FL to carefully monitor the health and condition of your cat’s teeth. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of any problems is essential if your furbaby is to have the best outcome from her issue, and regular dental check-ups make this possible.
Get her teeth professionally cleaned at least once per year
Professional dental cleaning is a valuable service since it gives your pet dentist the opportunity to undertake a far superior clean to anything you can do yourself at home. This is because professional cleans involve your kitty first having a general anesthetic to put her in to a temporary state of sleep. This ensures she isn’t stressed or anxious during the process and remains completely still. This is important since the tools used to clean her teeth can be sharp and any sudden movements could cause her to become injured. It also gives your pet dentist all the time needed to clean every aspect of your pet’s teeth.
Know when she is having dental problems
It can be very difficult to identify when your cat is unwell or in pain, and this is no different for dental problems. However, there are some symptoms that you may notice that indicate that you should take your kitty to see your pet dentist in Navarre, FL. These include:
- Bleeding gums
- Swollen, red or inflamed gums
- Teeth that look particularly unclean
- Pawing at her mouth
- Excessive drooling
- Loss of appetite or dropping her food when she eats
- Ulcers on the gums
- Impacted or loose teeth
- Persistently bad breath
If you notice any of the above, it is advisable to schedule an appointment with your local vet in Navarre, FL or pet dentistry team in Navarre, FL as soon as possible.
If you would like more dental tips for cats, or if you would like to schedule an appointment for a dental check-up for your feline friend, please call our experienced pet dentistry team at 850-331-0180 today!
