Want to help your feline maintain a good dental hygiene? Here’s how

Cats can encounter dental problems just like humans. Bad breadth, tooth-discolorization development of plague, gingivitis, tooth decay, periodontal disease can affect feline mouths. Cats can be resistant to human fingers investigating their oral cavity for purpose of tooth brushing/cleaning. Acute gum disease can also lead to tooth loss in-case treatment is not administered timely. Maintaining the cat’s oral hygiene can be a tedious task.

Using a brush to carry out your cat’s teeth cleaning

Use a soft rubber tooth brush to clean your cat’s teeth minimum two to three times a week in case it is not possible to carry out the process daily.

Also a tooth-paste specially prepared for cats must be used. These pastes are flavored accordingly and are much liked by the cats. Caution should be taken against using toothpaste made for human beings as its contents are not suitable for a kitten/cat.

In place of a brush, a gauze strip can be used by the cat parent by wrapping it around one’s index finger. Thereafter toothpaste can be applied on it or a mild sterile solution advocated by your vet can be used to dip the gauze wrapped around the respective finger.

Cat owner must take it slow and gentle while carrying out the teeth cleaning procedure. Lay the pet on the lap and open-up its mouth gently. Begin with the front teeth and refrain from covering the entire set of teeth in the first attempt. Rather cease early and reward the cat for its teamwork & patience with its favorite cat food or toy. With every progressive brushing session the pet will get used to the teeth cleaning regimen. Thereby cooperation on part of the feline will promote effective cleaning of the entire set of teeth and gums.

Alternative ways to ensure your cat enjoys a good dental hygiene:

In the absence of tooth brushing the below mentioned items can be used to provide the necessary dental-care to the beloved kitty.

Dental treats for cats

There are specially designed treats (enriched with Vitamin E & antiseptics) and sticks that help in rubbing off the plague all thanks to their rough surface. The cat’s teeth get rid of plague. Plague sets into tartar therefore when the teeth are free of plague, the development of tartar is drastically controlled/reduced.

Dental Gel

These gels target the bacteria in the cat’s mouth, thereby preventing gum disease. The gel needs to be used on the pet’s teeth on an everyday basis and will greatly help fight tooth decay.

Dental food for cats

This kind of formula is specifically designed with a bigger than usual chunk/kibble size that helps in eliminating plague and tartar buildup when the cat chews on the large chunks.

Dental wipes

This involves a procedure similar to wrapping of a strip around the index finger and then, one needs to clean the kitty’s teeth by rubbing the wipe on them.

Plague remover additive for cat’s drinking water

The oral care additive can be transferred to the water bowl and mixed in the feline’s drinking water for tackling the germs in the mouth. In some cases the pet may develop an aversion for drinking water mixed with the additive due to its peculiar taste.

 Cat chew toys

These have a rough surface that helps in scrapping off the plague stuck on teeth and also rub the gums.  Aromatic catnip/catmint is stuffed in these toys as its scent attracts cats/kittens, encouraging the domesticated feline to chew and bite on these thereby activating the dental care.

 Cats’ dental health problems such bleeding gums and a stinking mouth can be successfully dealt with by following a healthy teeth cleaning routine. Look out for symptoms such as salivation, difficulty in biting the food, and unnecessary licking, are all indicative of a feline mouth suffering from dental problems. In such a scenario a cat parent must schedule an appointment and visit the vet for insight into the relevant action to be taken and treatment procedures.

Resource Box:

http://www.pet-happy.com/6-ways-to-keep-your-cats-teeth-clean-without-brushing/

http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/5-tips-for-cleaning-cat-teeth/