Can you imagine what your teeth would look like if you never brushed them? It’s no different for cats and kittens, though many pet owners don’t pay very much attention to their cat’s and kitten’s dental health. Bad breath and dirty teeth are unappealing, but many cat and kitten owners aren’t aware that these may be indicators of gum disease that can spread to the kidney, heart, and liver. The gums are a boundary to the bloodstream, so unless you are regularly providing dental care for your cat and kitten, you are neglecting an important factor in their overall health and putting them at a higher risk for serious illness.
70% of cats over the age of three suffer from some form of dental disease, so chances are your cat or kitten could use a dental exam. Even if your cat or kitten doesn’t have stained teeth, bacteria can still be present below the gum line, so it’s important to have your pet’s oral cavity examined by a professional. In fact, if your cat or kitten has bad breath, they have a form of dental disease.
Without proper care, plaque builds up on the teeth and turns into tartar. These areas spread as long as they are untreated and result in gum disease, tooth loss, and pain. Remember, your cat and kitten feels the pain of a toothache just like you do, and worst of all they can’t tell you they’re in pain. You wouldn’t go weeks or months without dealing with a toothache, would you? If your cat or kitten doesn’t receive routine dental care, they could be experiencing pain in their gums and jaw.
The best thing you can do to prevent dental disease is to call The Cat’s Meow Cat Clinic in Sebastian, Florida to schedule an appointment for your cat or kitten. You have to do your part at home with brushing and special dental chews, but your veterinarian plays a vital role in your cat’s and kitten’s dental health as well. Annual dental exams are a necessary part of your cat’s and kitten’s overall health, so call us at (772) 388-5550 or come by in person to talk about your cat’s and kitten’s dental health today.