How and why to brush your cat’s teeth: all about oral hygiene

Good hygiene is essential to maintaining the health of every pet.
The main reason for the appearance of plaque is insufficient care of teeth and gums. The most common disease in every second cat is tartar . Plaque does not cause cats much discomfort, but if measures are not taken, a dangerous disease can occur, including death. Therefore, brushing your cat’s teeth weekly is an important responsibility of every cat owner.

The need for oral hygiene

Cats belong to the order of predators. In the wild, the process of brushing teeth occurs naturally, because the cat's diet contains bones and cartilage of small animals and birds. They erase the plaque, and the teeth of wild predators remain white and smooth. Pets have a more varied menu, but it mainly consists of soft food. Many pets refuse to eat dry food, choosing pouches and pates. This causes plaque to remain in place and harden over time.

The stone is located on the neck of the tooth, in close proximity to the gums. Its gradual growth leads to the fact that the mucous membrane is injured and inflamed. If treatment is not started, a number of diseases may develop: caries, stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease, osteomyelitis. The latter is characterized by purulent lesions of the jaw tissue, which can spread throughout the body. In this case, there is a risk of developing sepsis and death.

To prevent possible complications, all owners are recommended to perform hygienic cleaning of the oral cavity of their pets. The procedure should be performed at least twice a week.

How to tell if your cat has oral problems

You should definitely pay attention to the following symptoms in your pet:

1. The cat refuses to eat. The appetite is present, but when approaching the bowl of food, he eats very little and carefully. Complete refusal of solid food, preference is given to food that can only be lapped.
2. Unpleasant odor from the mouth.
3. Increased, almost constant salivation.
4. A clear desire to constantly rub the muzzle and cheeks against various objects.
5. Some swelling of the eyes that cannot be explained by external factors.
6. Increased irritability of the cat, including periodic shaking of the head with dissatisfied rumbling.

Examination of the oral cavity reveals:

• on the surface of the teeth there are stone-like growths of yellow or green-black color,
• inflamed and bleeding gums,
• teeth with limescale are loose, sometimes barely staying in the gingival sockets,
• swelling of the mucous membrane of the mouth around the gums, on the inner surface of the cheeks,
• ulcerations on the mucous membrane of the mouth with seizure of the gums (signs of stomatitis).

Tools and devices

To brush your cat's teeth, you will need toothpaste and a brush. Should cats' teeth be brushed with human hygiene products - under no circumstances! The paste will poison the animal, and the brush will damage the delicate gums.

Brush selection

Pet brushes vary in shape, size and material from which they are made. Pet stores sell:

• silicone models;
• with soft bristles.

The first ones are made in the form of a fingertip; instead of hairs, they have small teeth, which are used for cleaning. The latter differ from conventional brushes in the size and softness of the bristles. Some owners use toothbrushes designed for children in their first year of life. There are even those who brush their pets' teeth with regular gauze tied on their finger. The method is dangerous in the case of an aggressive cat, as it can bite a finger. It is quite acceptable for calm pets.

Toothpastes and gels

Toothpaste should be specifically designed for animals. Since pets do not know how to rinse their mouths, all residues are swallowed. Using simple menthol pastes on people can lead to severe food poisoning.

In order for the cat to more readily accept the cleaning manipulation, special flavors are added to the products (for example, meat or fish). Most often in pet stores you can find the following brands of drugs:

• Gel 8in1;
• Huts;
• FELINE HEALTH NUTRITION.

To remove the primary soft formation, you can purchase veterinary sticks for cleaning teeth. They are moistened with a special composition that softens and removes plaque.

How does the procedure work?

It is not recommended to carry out manipulation without special training. If teeth cleaning for cats is the first time, you need to let the animal sniff objects that are new to it. You can offer to try the paste so that the taste and consistency are familiar to the cat. Thirty minutes before the start of the procedure, it is recommended to remove bowls of food and water.

Preparation

The first attempt to brush a cat's teeth may be unsuccessful if the pet is not accustomed to this. To prevent brushing your cat’s teeth from becoming stressful, and for the owner from becoming a traumatic procedure, you need to be well prepared:

• feed the cat 1.5-2 hours before the hygiene procedure;
• create a calm and quiet environment in your home;
• make sure in advance that the cat is familiar with all the cleaning items - brushes, bandages, a tube of paste;
• A particularly restless cat should be wrapped in a towel and held.

At first, you will most likely need an assistant. In the future, even one person can handle a cat accustomed to cleaning.

If the cat resists at the initial stage, it is better to let it go and let it calm down. A new attempt can be made later, when the animal is relaxed and friendly.

Direct cleaning

At first it will be unusual and difficult for you, but over time the procedure will become simple and fast. How to brush your cat's teeth yourself:

• Apply a little cleaning product to the brush;
• take the cat in your arms and place it on your lap with its back to you, trying to calm it down as much as possible;
• open your mouth with two fingers and slightly pull your lips to the sides;
• begin smooth movements without significant pressure from top to bottom, then along the entire dentition.
• If something bothers your pet or he doesn’t feel well, the procedure must be rescheduled for another day.

Brushing cats' teeth at home is contraindicated if they have oral diseases. These are inflammatory processes of the mucous membranes, bleeding gums, gingivitis, stomatitis, post-extraction alveolitis - inflammation of the hole at the site of the extracted tooth. It is necessary to approach the process with caution if your pet has a tendency to have epileptic seizures.

If, despite regular hygiene procedures, you notice a dark, hard plaque on your teeth that cannot be removed with a toothbrush, ultrasonic teeth cleaning is used.

Ultrasound cleaning of dental calculus is performed under general anesthesia in a veterinary office. It is not very cheap, but the stone is completely removed, and then you do not have to treat the cat for more serious diseases.

If the cat resists strongly

Since not every cat can brush its teeth, veterinarians allow several options for the hygiene procedure.

If a cat generally does not like violent actions, she will need a special retainer bag. The bag will help carry out regular procedures necessary for the health of the animal: cleaning eyes and teeth, combing, trimming nails, and medical treatment in case of illness. The cat will gradually get used to the bag and will not resist too much.

It happens that the main thing for an animal is to demonstrate its character. Then the owner needs to prove his authority and strength: you can tightly swaddle the cat and at least brush its teeth a little, thereby showing that you are serious. You should not shout, you need to talk to the animal in a firm, quiet voice. An adult animal understands human intonations perfectly and will reduce resistance in most cases.

If your pet is timid or begins to take revenge after every brushing of its teeth, you will have to look for an alternative. It will be more complicated and more expensive, but you cannot completely abandon hygiene - otherwise it will result in serious health problems.

Features of preparation

First you need to take your pet to the vet. The doctor will conduct an examination, give recommendations on the choice of hygiene products, and if caries is detected, he will clean it using ultrasound.

When preparing your pet for the procedure, you need to adhere to several rules:

1. Introduce the cat to the brush and let him play with it a little.
2. A few days before the scheduled procedure, offer to try the paste. The animal will get used to the new taste and will not be afraid during basic manipulations.
3. Perform the procedure when the cat is fed, healthy and in a good mood.
4. For the first time, it is better to use cotton swabs instead of a brush.

Frequency of manipulations

Veterinarians recommend carrying out a hygiene procedure 1-2 times a week, but many owners do not rest on this: should they brush their cat’s teeth more often? If the cat is already used to it and does not show aggression, then you can increase the frequency of procedures to 5-6 times a week, especially if the animal is prone to problems with the oral cavity.

The second controversial issue arises when comparing oral hygiene in humans and animals. People brush their teeth every day and still visit the dentist once every six months - for oral hygiene, fluoridation and other types of prevention. Does a cat need to have its teeth cleaned by a veterinarian if the owner does it regularly at home? No, it is not necessary if everything is fine with the animal. Professional laser cleaning is only necessary in case of tartar formation.

When and how to teach a kitten to brush its teeth

You should begin introducing your cat to the teeth cleaning procedure as early as possible - 2-3 months after the pet moves into your home. The process is quite simple and does not take much time:

1. After he has eaten, the kitten is placed on his lap and begins to be stroked.
2. The index finger is bandaged with gauze and soaked in meat or fish broth. The baby is invited to sniff it and even taste it without biting it with his teeth.
3. After a few days, the procedure is repeated, but the finger is carefully inserted into the oral cavity. And after a week they begin to massage their gums. If you find yourself in the period of changing milk teeth to molars, then the cat will definitely not refuse such pleasure.
4. After a month, a brush takes the place of the finger, and instead of broth, toothpaste with added flavoring is used.

Handle your pet carefully, without raising your voice at him. The kitten, frightened by unusual actions and the scream of the owner, may dislike the procedure.

Useful tips

• There are a lot of bacteria in the animal's mouth, so it is recommended to wear gloves when brushing teeth;
• The toothbrush should be washed thoroughly after the procedure;
• The brush needs to be replaced every 3 months;
• If there are several cats in the house, then each one requires a separate brush;
• Animal feed must be of high quality;
• Before cleaning, you need to let the cat smell the paste;
• The procedure should be accompanied by praise.

If it is not possible to remove plaque regularly, then you can buy special treats - sticks, pads for cleaning cats' teeth.

Alternative Cleaning Methods

Owners are not always able to brush their cat’s teeth because the animal behaves too aggressively or fearfully. For such cases, there are alternative methods: they are effective, but quite expensive - the cost of the funds varies from 250 to 2000 rubles. You can find them in a pet store or veterinary pharmacy:

1. Special sticks and pads are designed to clean enamel from tartar, polish, whiten and give a pleasant smell. These delicacies are made from meat products with the addition of vitamins, grains and antiseptics.
2. Liquid paste is designed to remove tartar and protect gums from bacterial growth. This product is suitable for kittens and cats of all ages. It is necessary to dilute 5 ml of liquid in 300 grams of water and give it to the cat daily. The only drawback of this convenient method is the high price (around 1000 rubles).
3. The veterinary spray is applied to the gums and teeth. Its disadvantage is that the cat still needs to be held tightly, but the owner is spared the work of using a toothbrush.
4. Dental hard food helps strengthen teeth and protect the oral cavity. Consist of vitamins, microelements, grains and meat products. Solid granules clean and polish the enamel, removing plaque. The main thing is to remember to offer your cat plenty of fresh water.
5. Special toys are designed for kittens: when baby teeth are replaced by molars, the baby experiences discomfort and constantly needs to chew on something. The toy is perfect for these purposes - it does not damage the gums and helps cope with itching.

Do cats need to have their teeth brushed at the veterinary clinic if none of the alternative and traditional remedies work? Definitely - as soon as a hint of tartar appears, you need to visit a veterinarian. He will put the cat under anesthesia and clean his teeth with an ultrasound.

Additional information about tartar

Causes of stone formation?

• improper feeding of the predator with a predominance of soft food, which does not contribute to the natural cleansing of the surface of the teeth,
• improper feeding, which provokes a change in the acidity of the gastric contents with the appearance of belching, which, in turn, changes the acidity of saliva and provokes the formation of plaque and its petrification,
• malocclusion. Due to congenital or acquired after changing teeth, incorrect positioning of the teeth distorts their friction against each other and against the buccal surface, impairing self-cleaning,
• increased enamel roughness. Due to improper feeding, the smooth layer of tooth enamel is worn away,
• metabolic disease.

Under anesthesia or not?

It is almost impossible to remove tartar from cats without anesthesia using professional ultrasonic cleaning. In addition, the quality of the work done will be significantly impaired - there can be no talk of any thoroughness when the animal twists, kicks, tries to bite and practically does not allow anything to be done in the mouth area. Without anesthesia, it will not be possible to inspect the mouth and remove bad teeth.

But! Sometimes the situation may require the removal of tartar in cats without anesthesia, posing a threat to the life of the pet. Such situations include:

• allergic individuals, when the risk of an allergic reaction to anesthesia and anaphylactic shock is high,
• history of serious pathologies of the heart, central nervous system, liver and kidneys,
• individual intolerance to anesthesia components.

In such cases, tartar cleaning is carried out without the introduction of narcotic substances, in several stages and with enhanced fixation.

Predisposition

Tartar was once thought to be a problem in older cats. However, recently, age is not an indicator of health, so young animals may also have these dental problems. Moreover, yard cats, who are almost on pasture, almost never have problems with teeth, unlike decorative breeds of cats.

Most often affected:

• Persians,
• Scots and British,
• Siamese cats.