Do You REALLY Need to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth?

Welcome to Tuesday’s Cats.com Newsletter.

In today’s newsletter, we’ll talk about the risks of neglecting your cat’s oral health. You’ll also learn some easy ways to keep their teeth clean (Hint: Not all of them involve brushing).

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I’m Not a Morning Person (But My Cat Is).

I cannot overstate how much I am NOT a morning person. Thankfully I work from home, so my schedule is pretty flexible. But I’ve sat down plenty of times, ready to start work, only to realize I forgot to brush my teeth.

After dragging myself to the bathroom to complete the task, I flop back down in my chair and glance over at my cat, Munchkin. She’s in her bed next to my desk, ready for the workday to begin. She always gives me that narrow-eyed look, as if to say, “Again?!”

Routine comes naturally to some people and, apparently, to our cats.

I don’t have to remember to feed my cats because they’re always there to remind me. I couldn’t forget to feed them if I tried!

But tasks that seem extraneous or challenging—like brushing my cats’ teeth—are all too easy to forget. Let’s talk about it.

Dental Issues Are Painful!

Brushing your cat’s teeth may sound silly. If your cat isn’t a fan of physical touch, the idea might seem downright ridiculous (or even dangerous). But there are consequences to ignoring your cat’s oral health.

If you’ve ever had an untreated cavity or even a simple toothache, you understand this fact: Dental pain is the worst.

Dental pain makes it uncomfortable to talk, to eat, or to focus on anything other than the pain. But what if you weren’t able to tell someone what was wrong so you could get the help you need? Too many of our cats find themselves in this very situation.

Some research suggests as many as 90% of cats show signs of dental disease by the time they’re 3 years old.

It starts with plaque accumulation on the teeth that hardens into tartar, sometimes creeping below the gumline to cause painful inflammation. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to tooth decay, intense pain, and even systemic infection.

5 Ways To Support Your Cat’s Oral Health.

My youngest cat, Biscuit, had tooth trouble that started before I adopted her. By the time I realized that her odd habit of “chattering” when I touched her face was a sign of dental pain, her condition was so advanced that she had to have several teeth removed.

Biscuit’s problems were caused by tooth resorption, a painful condition with no known cause. But it’s my responsibility to protect the healthy teeth she has left.

Here are steps you can take to protect your own cat’s oral health:

1) Brush their teeth as often as they’ll let you—ideally once a day—with a feline-specific toothbrush and toothpaste.

2) Use dental rinse after each meal (it’s like mouthwash for cats) if your cat won’t let you brush their teeth.

3) Offer your cat dental treats that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).

4) Add a dental water additive to your cat’s water bowl or fountain to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup.

5) Make sure your vet performs an oral exam during your cat’s annual wellness checkup.

Even with the best efforts, some cats may require periodic dental cleanings. Such cleanings aren’t a substitute for ongoing dental care but they can help minimize the risk of advanced dental disease and may help you detect problems in the early stages. Wondering what else you might be missing?

Check out the Cats.com YouTube channel to learn about the 7 worst mistakes cat owners make.

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A Sneak Peek At Friday's Newsletter.

Thinking about switching up your cat’s diet—maybe offering a mix of dry and wet food? Check out Friday’s mailer to learn the secret to calculating portions when serving multiple cat foods. We’ll also be introducing the beneficiary of our July fundraiser, Peachy!