Millions of people love cats. When it comes to health, cats need to visit the vet periodically for check-ups, and that includes dental care. Staying on top of their dental care is crucial since they do not brush their teeth like we do. Most cats eat canned food, which is bad for their dental health and can cause dental disease. Let’s look at how you can ensure your cat’s teeth stay in good shape.
Cats Have Thirty Teeth
A cat has 30 permanent teeth, which include 4 canines, four molars, 10 premolars, and 12 incisors. Kittens have 26 deciduous teeth, or milk teeth, which fall out just like a human child’s. This is less than what humans have since we have 20 baby teeth and 32 adult teeth. Kittens don’t stick their tooth under a pillow and wait for the tooth fairy to visit. Maybe they do, and we just don’t know about it. Kittens want to bite and chew on everything, like puppies or babies. This is part of the teething ritual and helps them work through the dental pain while supporting their kitten teeth to fall out.
Losing teeth is part of life for all of us. If you are a feral cat with severe dental issues, there is a good chance the outcome will be infection or starvation. Without proper veterinary care, cats on their own have little means to fix dental emergencies. Having a sore tooth as a human is much simpler but still expensive. Nobody likes going to the dentist, but at least you can rest assured that your cat’s experience may not be sunshine and rainbows, but they are knocked out with anesthesia prior to the dental cleaning. Would it be lovely if our human dentists did that, too?
Caring for Your Cat’s Teeth
When we have a pet, it becomes our responsibility. This includes preventive measures like tooth brushing, supplements, food or water additives, and regular dental cleanings, which will help you stay on top of your cat’s dental health. Brushing your cat’s teeth might sound strange, but it could save thousands in dental bills later on. Approximately 90% of adult cats have some form of dental disease. The health benefits of caring for your cat’s teeth far outweigh the difficulties.
There are many products on the market to keep your cat’s dental hygiene in tip-top shape. These include supplements, treats, food, toothpaste and finger toothbrushes, chew toys, water additives, and more. Chewy carries many items geared toward keeping your cat’s teeth healthy.
Common Feline Dental Issues
FORLS
Feline ondoclastic resorptive lesions, or FORLS, is a painful condition that typically requires tooth extractions to relieve the pain. Most cats with this illness are over five years old. It is not understood why this disease only affects cats at that age. Some of the most common symptoms of FORLS are drooling, painful gums that may be bloody, loose teeth, and refusal to eat.
Tooth Resorption
This is incredibly common and affects up to 70% of cats. The tooth begins to break down, and a pink area near the gumline is evidence of tooth reabsorption. Little can be done to stop the process once it begins, so keeping your cat comfortable while it occurs is a must. Your vet may also opt to remove the tooth and clean the rest of the teeth.
Stomatitis
Lymphocytic plasmacytic gingivitis pharyngitis syndrome, also known as stomatitis, is very common in cats and can cause painful gums, loose teeth, inflammation, and pain. Cats with stomatitis may have difficulty eating and drinking because of the pain. It’s common to see cats with this condition with matted or unkept fur because they are unable to groom themselves.
Feline Gingivitis
In humans, gingivitis is an excruciating condition affecting the adult teeth and gums. Like the other two illnesses discussed, gingivitis causes bleeding and very painful gums, loose teeth, and anorexia because they are afraid to eat because of the pain. There may be a more sinister underlying cause of gingivitis than simple dental neglect. Sadly, many cats with feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline calicivirus, diabetes, kidney disease, and other autoimmune conditions.
Luckily, gingivitis is reversible, and if caught in the early stages, it can be cured quickly by simply brushing the cat’s teeth.
Periodontitis
If a cat with gingivitis waits too long between cleanings, periodontitis can develop. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis cannot be reversed. Some of the side effects of the disease are deterioration of the tissue that holds the teeth in place and the bones around the teeth. This can cause the cat’s teeth to become loose and fall out.
Keeping Your Cat’s Teeth Healthy
Your cat may not find having its teeth brushed enjoyable at first, but by remaining calm and focused with plenty of patience, we can show them it isn’t bad at all. Get a very tasty toothpaste specifically formulated for a cat’s dental health and schedule yearly exams and cleanings at your vet’s office. It is important to feed both canned and dry food, but keep in mind wet food and treats are enemies of your cat’s teeth. Just like you might brush your teeth after a meal, you should also brush your cat’s teeth.
By staying on top of their dental health as you would with a child, you are saving your cat from a lifetime of dental pain and emergencies. There will still be some issues as they age, just like with human teeth, but you are saving yourself thousands by brushing. Typical extractions can cost hundreds to thousands per tooth, depending on where you live. Cleaning may not sound important, but in the long run, it is vital to the longevity and happiness of your cat. Remember to look out for dental issues signs like refusing to eat, pawing at the mouth, and depression. Check out this great article with tips on how to brush your cat’s teeth.
