Cat Dental Health

With a cat, dental health can play a vital role in his overall well-being and longevity. Unfortunately, many cat owners don't give any thought to their cat's teeth while they are young and healthy. When problems occur in later years, they can be quite serious if dental care has been neglected early on. Unfortunately, it is not until the symptoms are obvious, such as oral pain and the inability to chew food, that the cat is taken to the vet. Sadly, at this point, the problem is usually very advanced and what could have been avoided with preventive care, is now a serious health issue.

The most common cat health teeth problem seen by veterinarians is periodontal disease. It is very likely, that at some point in time, your cat will have some form of this disease. It is usually present to some degree in cats that are older than two years. The symptoms are very similar to those in people. They include foul breath, receding, red and inflamed gums, bleeding gums, decreased appetite, and problems chewing their food.

Oral pain is often present and your cat may be pawing at his mouth or rubbing it against things to help alleviate this pain. The teeth usually have brown or yellow deposits near the gums. In more progressed periodontal disease, these deposits will be crusty and hard. The cat may have problems closing his mouth, and they may drool. Sometimes there is blood in the saliva.

Many pet owners assume that bad breath is normal for cats and dogs. However, it is not normal and it a symptom of developing oral problems that can be reversed if treatment occurs in the early stages.

Periodontal disease affects the gum tissue. It starts to develop when plaque accumulates on the cat's teeth. Chewing reduces some of the plaque on a regular basis, but the remaining plaque hardens and becomes tartar. When this builds up on the teeth it requires a dental cleaning by your veterinarian to remove it. Because tartar is rough, unlike enamel, the plaque is more likely to stick. Plaque contains bacteria which irritate the gum and in time the gum starts to recede. Eventually this causes the tooth to become loose.

Many cats are still able to eat even with advanced periodontal disease, leaving their owner quite surprised at how serious the problem is when they are finally evaluated by a veterinarian

More serious health issues may occur when the bacteria from the infection gets into the cat's other organs, such as the heart, lungs, kidney, or liver. This can result in life-threatening disease to these organs, which is why regular dental care is so crucial for the long term health of your cat. It is best to start dental care as a kitten, including brushing his teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste formulated for cats, and regular dental cleanings by your veterinarian.

Cat dental health is very important and should not be taken for granted. There are many other dental problems that can occur in your cat in addition to periodontal disease. As always, regular checkups by your veterinarian are the best way to prevent or minimize more serious issues down the road.