The cat teeth cleaning plays an important part in maintaining the cat’s teeth. Unfortunately, over 70% of cats over the age of 3 have dental problems, which are very painful and may also lead to more severe health problems. The cleaning of the cat’s teeth can prevent dental and gum problems and may be performed daily at home and once per year at the pet dentist’s office.
The Importance of Professional Cat Teeth Cleaning
Cleaning your cat’s teeth at home can remove the plaque on a daily basis and prevent the deposits of tartar. However, your cat may not be too cooperative when you brush his teeth, and you may not cover all the teeth, so a professional cleaning is needed to remove all the tartar that may have been deposited during the year.
A professional cleaning per year is sufficient to maintain your cat’s teeth healthy. Your vet may recommend more frequent visits, depending on the condition in which your cat’s teeth are.
The professional cleaning is performed under anesthesia, so the vet will have full access to all the cat’s teeth. In addition, the vet will use special tools and a special toothpaste or ultrasounds that will be able to dissolve the tartar.
A vet may also detect gum or teeth problems such as cavities which may not be visible, being located under the gum line.
The Cost of Professional Cat Teeth Cleaning
The cost of a professional cat teeth cleaning may vary depending on each dental clinic in part. On average, the costs may be around $300. This price contains the anesthesia, which is about $150. The costs of ultrasonic cleaning may be higher. Prices may also vary depending on geographical location.
The procedure includes cleaning, polishing and fluoride therapy to harden the teeth enamel.
The procedure cannot be preformed without anesthesia, as the cat will not be cooperative and to be able to clean all teeth, there is need for an anesthesia.
Your vet may offer you discounts, depending on how often you visit.
Some vets may also charge for an initial consult. The average cost of a dental consult for a cat is about $50.
Even if the costs of professional dental cleaning may sound steep, you should know that this is important and may prevent other health problems that may cost much more to treat.
At Home Cat Teeth Cleaning
The cat’s teeth should be cleaned at home, using pet dental brushes or children’s brushes and pet toothpaste. The brushing should be performed with circular movements, making sure to cover all teeth in your cat’s mouth. It’s best to start brushing your pet’s teeth as early as possible, so that he gets used to the brushing.
In addition to brushing, you should also consider a dry food diet or at least some dry chew treats that can clean the cat’s teeth and strengthen them.
Chew toys are also recommended to remove plaque on a daily basis.