Le malattie dentali sono una realtà per la maggior parte dei felini. Secondo gli esperti, solo il 10% circa dei gatti sopravviverà senza avere alcun tipo di problema dentale . Tuttavia, poiché i gatti sono eccellenti nel mascherare i sintomi, può essere difficile per i proprietari rilevare anche i più piccoli indicatori di disagio o dolore nei loro animali domestici.
Stabilire una corretta routine dentale fin dalla tenera età è fondamentale per la salute e la felicità continue del tuo animale domestico. Non solo protegge da malattie come la gengivite, ma migliora anche la qualità generale della vita del tuo felino.
In questo post parliamo dell'importanza delle cure odontoiatriche per i gatti e offriamo suggerimenti per ottimizzare .
Sì, proprio come gli esseri umani, i gatti sono soggetti a malattie gengivali, accumulo di placca, alitosi e ascessi dentali . Senza cure dentistiche, questi possono portare a infezioni orali, malattie gengivali o perdita e carie dei denti .
Questi problemi sono Le malattie dentali colpiscono dal 50% al 90% dei felini di età superiore ai quattro anni . Fornire al tuo animale domestico il cibo e le cure dentistiche appropriati può aiutare a combattere questi problemi.
Potrebbe volerci del tempo per rendersi conto che il tuo gatto ha problemi ai denti perché i gatti nascondono istintivamente la loro sofferenza per non apparire vulnerabile ai predatori. Ciò evidenzia la necessità di stabilire abitudini sanitarie preventive piuttosto che reattive per il tuo animale domestico, in particolare per quanto riguarda l'igiene orale.
Otto gatti su dieci di età superiore ai tre anni hanno problemi ai denti e alle gengive . I felini sviluppano spesso germi e placca sulla superficie dei denti a causa del cibo che mangiano. Questo strato batterico alla fine si indurisce in tartaro, che può irritare le gengive e portare alla gengivite nei gatti (comunemente nota come malattia gengivale). Nei casi più gravi e possibile perdita dei denti. I gatti spesso richiedono l'estrazione dei denti per alleviare il dolore quando l'accumulo di scaglie di tartaro è abbastanza grave da essere irreparabile.
Il tuo gatto potrebbe avere difficoltà a mangiare o bere se la bocca è dolorante o infiammata e i germi possono persino entrare nel flusso sanguigno e danneggiare i reni e altri organi vitali . La malattia parodontale, che è una delle condizioni di salute più comuni negli animali domestici, colpisce circa l'85% dei felini di età superiore ai sei anni, è caratterizzata dal graduale deterioramento dei denti, delle gengive e dei tessuti di supporto che mantengono i denti in posizione.
La buona notizia è che la maggior parte dei casi di malattia parodontale nei gatti può essere evitata adottando alcune misure preventive per salvaguardare la salute orale del tuo animale domestico. Ciò comporta sia la cura continua dei denti degli animali domestici a casa che una pulizia annuale dei denti del gatto dal veterinario.
According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), cats should receive their first dental cleaning by the time they are one year old and once every year thereafter. Some cat breeds may require more frequent cleanings, particularly if they have shallow roots or crowded teeth. Older cats and indoor cats are also more susceptible to dental issues and may require more frequent cleanings.
Brushing your cat's teeth and gums on a daily basis (or at least three times a week) is essential for their oral health . It's a good idea to socialize kittens to this process while they’re young, because adult cats can be rather reluctant to have their teeth cleaned.
You should frequently examine the condition inside your cat’s mouth, even if they might not particularly appreciate the experience. If they appear to be highly agitated or if you find it impossible to carefully inspect their mouth, be sure to take your pet to the vet for regular oral exams.
The teeth of a healthy cat should be white and clean. Healthy kitten gums shouldn’t display any inflammation, redness, or bleeding. Inspect the rear of your pet’s mouth for sores, swelling, lesions, or ulcers, and ensure that their breath doesn’t smell bad.
Be sure to monitor your cat for these crucial warning signals between visits to the vet:
If you notice any of the above, it could indicate an illness in the cat’s mouth or elsewhere in the body. Continuous poor breath may be a sign of serious periodontal disease that has to be treated before the infection spreads to the heart, kidney, or liver through the cat’s bloodstream. It could also result in nutritional deficiencies if your cat develops food avoidance due to pain.
Be sure that you have all the necessary tools before starting your cat's teeth-brushing routine. Both pet shops and veterinary offices sell complete cat dentistry kits:
We have compiled this list of best products for cat dental care in consultation with expert veterinarians. We also looked to the American Animal Hospital Association's dental care recommendations as well as the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), an organization that oversees and certifies pet dental products.
The size of a cat's mouth makes it difficult to properly wash their teeth. That’s why the toothbrush you choose for your four-legged friend should be small, with soft bristles, and easy to maneuver in order to reach the back teeth, like the Virbac CET Pet Toothbrush.
The only cat toothpaste with a VOHC seal of approval is Healthymouth's topical gel. Instead of using a toothbrush, the manufacturer advises using the cotton-tipped applicators that come with the gel.
VOHC recommends the Healthymouth Topical Spray and Healthymouth Water Additive which comes in several different flavors. Other products that can be used as toothbrush alternatives include cat-safe dental wipes like the Essential Healthymouth's Anti-Plaque Daily Topical Wipes, which are not currently available for purchase.
Veterinary-formulated cat kibble is available from pet food manufacturers including Hill's Pet Nutrition and Royal Canin. This food kills oral germs and polishes a cat's teeth while it is being consumed. A veterinarian must issue a prescription for these foods.
VOHC recommends the following diets:
The VOHC recommends the following cat dental treats for the reduction of tartar:
Some experts claim that dental chew toys are not the best toothbrush alternative because of the fact that cats often don't chew on their toys and typically only use their canine teeth while hunting and playing. However, if you still decide to invest in such a toy, consider the Petstages Catnip Toy Dental Chews and the Orkakat Catnip Wiggle Worm Kitten Teething Toy.
It’s easy to care for your feline's oral hygiene if you introduce it while they’re young and make it a consistent part of your daily routine — but it’s never too late to get started if you haven’t already. Keep these tips in mind and consult your veterinarian for the best advice.
The best way to keep your cat’s teeth clean is with regular brushing . Daily toothbrushing is the gold standard in preventive dental care for cats, but make it a goal to do it every time you remember, and at least three times per week.
Many cats don't like having their lips touched, but patience and rewards — whether that may be treats, affection, or playtime with their favorite toy — might help ease them into the activity. And remember:the earlier, the better.
Note:Under no circumstances can cat teeth be cleaned with human toothpaste because many contain xylitol and large quantities of fluoride, which are both toxic to cats.
In addition to daily brushing, there are other steps you can take to keep your cat’s mouth clean, prevent bacterial infections, and promote their oral hygiene. From additives that you mix with water to supplements that get sprinkled on top of food , treats specially-formulated with enzymes , and prescription-grade food , you’ll have no shortage of options to choose between.
With respect to diets, most vets recommend feeding your cats a mixture of wet and dry food until they are older and can no longer tolerate kibble for optimal oral health. Wet food remains on the surface of teeth for longer, leading to the development of plaque and tartar, while dry food acts like a natural floss.
At your vet’s discretion, you might consider other natural cat dental care products to help keep your cat’s mouth in pristine condition. For example, some pet parents give their cats raw, uncooked bones as natural dental chews to break down tartar, but be sure to follow best practices for safe food handling whenever dealing with raw food.
In addition to brushing your pet’s teeth and the above-mentioned brushing alternatives, you can take other actions to ensure that your four-legged friend keeps their teeth clean and healthy.
Similar to people, giving cats a nutritious, balanced diet will reduce their risk of developing dental issues . Your vet can offer particular advice for a diet that can improve your cat’s oral health . In addition, take a look at the dental support diets above that have received the Veterinary Oral Health Council's seal of approval (VOHC).
Avoid giving your feline friend sweet treats . Even though sugar is not toxic to them, it has no nutritional benefit and can erode enamel, causing tooth decay and even dental disease.
Your cat has to get a dental checkup at least once a year, regardless of whether there are any signs of dental disease. Even though you should periodically examine your cat's teeth yourself, it is simple to overlook the kinds of warning signs of a disease that a skilled and knowledgeable veterinarian will spot. Compared to dental concerns that go undiagnosed and are allowed to worsen, dental issues that are discovered early are far simpler to address and resolve.
Most dental exams will include a professional cat teeth cleaning. Blood tests are first performed to see if the patient is healthy enough to be sedated. If so, your veterinarian will put them under anesthesia and start a thorough cleaning that includes a full oral exam, X-rays to spot issues below the gum line, a thorough cleaning below the gum line to prevent periodontal disease, professional scaling to remove plaque and tartar buildup on the crown, and polishing the teeth to avoid plaque and bacteria accumulation.
Your veterinary dentist may recommend oral surgery for cats with poor dental hygiene, especially in cases where the animal needs an operation to extract broken, impacted, decaying, or resorbing teeth .
Oral surgery and tooth extractions may seem intimidating, particularly for older cats, but they usually recover quickly and resume eating normally. The advantages of treating disease and killing bacteria in the mouth exceed the disadvantages of delaying necessary dental operations .
Search for a local veterinarian who offers dentistry to schedule your cat’s annual dental checkup and cleaning. You can also find affordable dental care for cats at veterinary schools and pop-up clinics in your area. In the event of an oral injury, such as a fractured tooth or puncture wound, an emergency animal hospital may be your best pet.
Do not take your cat anywhere that offers non-anesthetic dentisty for pets, as it is neither safe nor effective at treating dental disease.
Cat dental care costs around $20 to $50 for at-home supplies , but annual oral exams and teeth cleanings can cost upwards of $400 at a professional veterinary dentist. Prices increase significantly when dental issues are present. For instance, for a tooth extraction that involves anesthetic, X-rays, medicine, hospitalization, and surgery equipment, cat owners should budget for pet denal work to cost around $1,300 .
Pet insurance may help with these expenses . Pet insurance providers like ASPCA, Embrace, Pets Best, Healthy Paws, Prudent Pet, Nationwide, Spot, and Pumpkin offer complete coverage for cat dental care. Use Pawlicy Advisor to get quotes from these and other providers to find the perfect pet insurance plan that will help make it easier to choose affordable, high-quality dental care for your cat.
