Oral care for cats can be a challenge, and let’s face it- there’s a lot of information out there. And how do you choose what is best for your feline friend?
In this blog, we will discuss some tips and treats to help keep those dental visits to a minimum! And better yet, no teeth brushing required! No one wants to brush their cat’s teeth, especially your cat!
Food, treats and diet: this is important aspect since all nourishment typically passes through the mouth and then is broken down by the teeth. It stands to reason that dry kibble and crunchy cat treats may help to reduce plaque and tarter build up. Most of us enjoy spoiling our furry friends with kitty treats. And let’s face it, some of those cat treats are the equivalent of “potato chips and candy” which provide little to no nutritional value such as empty calories that are commonly associated with junk food. Therefore, I personally prefer to give Greenies to my fuzzy butt gals. These come in a variety of flavors and types, so try some out and see how your cat likes them. I have witnessed first hand improvement in my girls teeth. Here is an example of what I am talking about and these are readily available at your local stores.
Have you heard of Oral Care Adult Dry Cat Food made by Science Diet? The kibble morsels are slightly bigger than average and designed to encourage your cat to crunch on it- thereby “cleaning” their teeth. My kitties are happy with their current diet, so I add a few morsels to their bowl or offer these up as snacks or treats.
Gum inflammation: Lastly, a problem I frequently see in my furry clients' mouth is inflammation of the gums and/or gingivitis. If you have ever had sore gums, then you know how uncomfortable that can be for your fur baby. This can also alter how a kitty cat chews their food by favoring one side of their mouth too. Additionally, any inflammation can lead to infection- and the mouth is located extremely close to the brain. So let’s avoid that issue all together by using a little bit of enzymatic toothpaste. Wait a minute….. I said no teeth brushing!! Yes, you are correct- I am not recommending to brush your cat’s teeth. However, in order for the enzymes in the toothpaste to work its magic- you do need to get it into their mouth. Depending on your fuzzy pal's temperament, you can use your finger or a Q-tip as an applicator and apply a small pea size of toothpaste to the gum line. Apply to both sides (left and right) and your cat’s tongue will do the rest. It comes in flavors that most kitties like so hopefully they will look forward to having their toothpaste as a treat! A healthy mouth is just like a healthy gut and consists of different types of bacteria. By incorporating beneficial bacteria (with enzymes) will help to balance/combat the harmful bacteria that causes gum inflammation. Use it once a week or every other week until the redness subsides- then once a month for general maintenance. An ongoing routine will promote a balance that will help protect against gum inflammation and tooth decay.
Keep in mind, these are my recommendations to support the oral healthcare for your cat and not meant to be a substitute for regular oral checkups. I hope you find this information useful and that it helps your cat be a Better Kitty.
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