CATS, in their natural environment, need to keep their teeth sharp and in good condition. They would struggle to exist if they were unable, both to kill their prey and to tear the flesh into managable portions.
Domestic cats, fed on the soft diets we give them, have very little need to chew and so their teeth and gums do not receive the exercise their predecessors did. This can lead to all kinds of dental problems such as gum inflammation, gingivitis and eventual loss of teeth.
Regular brushing is necessary if problems are to be avoided as your cat gets older. Dry foods go some way towards keeping your cat's teeth clean but not nearly as well as a good brushing with a soft toothbrush and specially formulated cat's toothpaste.
That's all very well, but getting a full grown cat to accept having its teeth cleaned is not the easiest of tasks. Scratched hands and bitten fingers are the most common result. The best time to start is as early as you can. That is at the kitten stage. Don't rush in with the toothbrush and toothpaste and start scrubbing away. Start to get your kitten used to the idea first. Begin by stroking the side of his mouth. This will get him used to the sensation of pressure around his teeth and gums. When he has got used to this, you can introduce a cleaning pad.
This can be wound around your finger tip and then slipped into your cats mouth, between the cheek and the teeth. If you have big, thick fingers like me, it may be better to use a cotton bud with a piece of the pad wrapped around it. After a while he will get used to you putting things into his mouth and so you can start cleaning his teeth properly. Always let your cat taste the toothpaste before using it. That is why it is important to use only a toothpaste that is specially formulated for cats. The brush should be small and soft. There are also finger brushes.
These are made of soft rubber. When you start brushing you should use a forward and backward movement very gently. Although this is not as effective as a circular movement, it is better to wait until your cat has got used to having his teeth cleaned.
Older cats which have not been brought up to having their teeth cleaned should be treated very carefully. You should wrap him up in a towel with just his head sticking through. This will help to restrain him and prevent you from getting scratched. It is also a good idea to enlist someone else's help to keep him calm and still. If you have not brushed its teeth on a regular basis there might be a build up of tartar, which may be too difficult to remove. This is best treated by a vet and may have to be done under anaesthetic. Once removed, you should be able to keep them clean yourself.
Many older domestic cats lose some of their teeth and will then need to be fed soft diets. Cleaning is even more important then, to prevent further deterioration. Loose, diseased or rotted teeth can be very painful and so they are better extracted or filled by your vet. The front teeth are used for grooming and so if these are missing you can help by grooming it every day, to remove any loose fur.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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