Top Tips For Making Sure Your Cat Has Excellent Oral Health and Hygiene

Adult cats have 30 teeth and unlike humans or dogs, there are no easy ways for them to keep them clean. Where as humans will brush their teeth and dogs can use bones to make sure that their teeth are strong and healthy, cats must rely on other methods. As a cat owner it is important that you have your cat’s oral hygiene in mind and that you find ways to make sure that you keep their gnashers in good shape.

Let’s take a look at just some of the things that you should be doing to make sure that your cat has excellent oral hygiene.

Spotting the Signs

Even if you have a solid routine with your cat, it is still important that you look out for the signs of poor oral hygiene. The key sign from a cat is that they have foul breath, a key indicator that they could have oral problems. Cat’s breath won’t smell like roses on a  normal basis, but it should most definitely not smell foul, a sign which usually signifies gum disease or tooth decay.

Check Up

Just as you would with your own teeth, or those of your children, you should have your cat’s teeth checked out annually by your vet. This can help you spot any issues, and give you the chance to ask your vet any questions which you may have about your cat’s teeth.

Brushing

You can brush your cat’s teeth and you should try to do so at least once a month. Adult cats can be pretty resistant to having their teeth cleaned and so if you are able to, you should try to get them started early. It is very important to note that fluoride toothpaste should never be used on your cat as the ingestion of it can make them very ill indeed. You can buy toothpaste specifically for cats and this is what you should use. Try to make the experience as quick and painless as possible, and use treats to win your cat over.

Gum Massage

After you have brushed your cat’s teeth, and assuming it will let you, try to give their gums a massage with your fingers. Doing this can speed up healing, it can also avoid gum irritation and help your cat to boost their gum health.

Diet

Diet is a huge factor in looking after your cat’s teeth and whilst you can’t control what they eat when they are outside the house, you can manage what they eat inside. Try to feed your cat a combination of both wet and dry foods and vary the meats which you give them for healthier teeth.

Treats

Yu can also help with your cat’s oral hygiene through giving them tartar control treats and chewy treats. Giving your cat treats like this, in moderation of course, can really help to clean their teeth and improve gum health.

How do you keep your cat’s teeth clean? Let us know in the comments section below.