Brush my cat’s teeth

Brush my cat’s teeth? Are you mad?

A tip from Garret Turley of Pet Doctors

Chichester Cattery
Dykehurst
West Stoke Road
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 3PL
(Ph) 01243 536959

Not entirely. As veterinary surgeons we are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of good oral healthcare in the overall health of your cat. Diseases of the gums and teeth are some of the most common diseases we see today. Just as with people, the problem is caused by bacteria building up and forming plaque and tartar. In cats this can build into huge chunks that rub against the inside of the mouth and cause painful ulcers. Worse still, every time a cat with dental disease eats, bacteria rush into the blood stream and damage the kidneys, liver, heart and lungs. These bugs hide underneath the gum so there is little point in just clipping off a large piece of tartar – we need to thoroughly de-scale the teeth below the gumline, and this painful procedure requires an anaesthetic.

Many cats do not show signs of pain to their owner until it is very late in the day but your veterinary surgeon will be able to point out the signs when you bring your cat for it’s regular check-up or vaccination. The signs to look out for include: persistent bad breath (worse than the normal!); pawing at the mouth; loss of appetite or difficulty eating; red and sore looking gums and loose or missing teeth.
The best way to prevent these problems is to brush your cat’s teeth with cat toothpaste every day! This is not as difficult as it sounds – your vet will be able to show you how. Another useful aid is a food that is designed to ‘brush with every bite’ and you can also buy special cat dental chews. Unfortunately, for some cats even these techniques do not work and your vet will have to clean, polish and sometimes remove teeth under anaesthetic.

Happy brushing!

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