Dental Cleaning for Cats

The dental cleaning for cats is an essential process which can prevent teeth problems and gum disease. 7 out of 10 cats over the age of 3 have dental problems. Your cat should get his teeth brushed at home and there will be need for 1 professional cleaning per year as well. Kibble food and treats may also keep the teeth clean, by scraping off the plaque and preventing the gathering of tartar.

Dental Cleaning at Home

The cat’s teeth should be cleaned starting from an early age. This is important, as the plaque gathers near the gum line after each meal and if this is not removed within 72 hours, the plaque will calcify and turn into calculus, also known as tartar.

The dental cleaning at home will require a few products such as a child’s toothbrush and feline toothpaste. When starting to brush your pet’s teeth, give the cat a taste of the toothpaste, that can be meat flavored. You may use your fingers to spread the paste on the cat’s teeth and introduce the toothbrush only when the cat feels comfortable. You may need to practice for a few weeks before getting your cat to be fully cooperative. However, if you train your kitten from an early age, he will get used to teeth brushing. A cat that is older will be more reluctant to teeth brushing and may even become aggressive.

Try making the teeth brushing a fun activity, more like playing, so that your cat is relaxed. Treats should be used to make the cat more cooperative.

Professional Dental Cleaning

A professional dental cleaning is as important as the at home cleaning and will ensure the cat’s teeth are calculus free.

The dental cleaning will be performed by a vet and he will also examine the cat’s mouth for various dental or medical problems that may originate here.

The vet may choose to perform a few x-rays that could give a detailed account of possible teeth problems.

The professional cleaning requires anesthesia, as otherwise the cat may be uncooperative. The vet will use a special paste and a device (i.e. ultrasonic scaler), being able to remove calculus that cannot be otherwise removed.

The vet may also polish the teeth, removing any scratches and making the surface of the teeth even, so less plaque and calculus will be deposited in the future.

Try to get a professional cleaning at least once per year or as recommended by the vet. There are pet insurance plans that cover for 1 or several dental cleanings.

Food and Treats

Food and treats can contribute to the cat’s dental cleaning. Kibble food and rough surfaced treats are able to mechanically remove the dental plaque.

Your vet can recommend a few commercial foods that are more beneficial for the teeth cleaning. The treats and chew toys can also be important, so make sure you choose products that are appropriate for your cat’s size.

 

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