This is the first small indication that your cat is struggling with a dental problem

This is the first small indication that your cat is struggling with a dental problem

As soon as we tell you what it’s about, you’ll slap your forehead; in fact, this is a true red signal inside the kitty’s mouth. We won’t say more, we’ll immediately show what the first sign is of a dental problem in a cat’s case.

It would be important to look into the cat’s mouth on a daily basis so that we can immediately see if something isn’t right

This indicates the beginning of the cat’s dental problem

When you examine your kitty’s mouth, focus on the part of their gums that comes into direct contact with the base of the teeth. If this area of the gums is a nice pinkish colour, then presumably everything is fine. However, if you notice a thin red stripe here, you definitely need to book an appointment for dental care.

Veterinarian Dr Chris Brown very aptly describes this area as a battlefield where the cat’s immune system is fighting against bacteria preparing to invade the body. (These bacteria first feed on food remnants left on the teeth, but if they get under the gums, they feed on the dead, decaying tissue there. That’s what really causes bad breath.) The stripe turns red because the bacteria attract blood cells flowing to the area, which the body sends to fight the bacteria. And this is a battle that’s very important to win. If the harmful bacteria in the plaque break through this thin red line, they can reach the heart, kidneys, and liver. In the organs, they can cause heart disease and kidney and liver infections.

So, it’s not just that a disease affecting the teeth can develop – which in itself can be very painful – it can become so severe that it could even threaten the cat’s life.

The first sign of a dental problem in the cat’s case: unfortunately, in this kitty’s case, it’s already visible that the red stripe has started to develop

How to defend against the problem

Neutralising the bacteria in the mouth through tooth brushing works for us humans. The good news is that the same principle works for dogs and cats as well. We definitely recommend brushing your pet’s teeth regularly. Preferably every one or two days, but at the very least once a week. As a supplement, you can also give your pet a dental care chew treat after meals, which is also an effective way to prevent plaque and tartar build-up. In fact, it’s great if you complement wet food with a little dry food as well; this also helps scrub away plaque.

At last year’s DOGZ Festival and Conference, Dr Péter Király, clinical veterinary specialist at KirályPet Small Animal Clinic, founder of the Rex Dog Shelter Foundation and Animal Island, gave a presentation on dental diseases in dogs. Although Dr Király primarily spoke about dogs, everything he said also applies to cats. Right at the beginning, he emphasised that dental care for four-legged animals is far from a fancy whim. Dogs and cats have gone through huge changes since living alongside us. In his opinion, daily tooth brushing should begin at a young age. This way, we can get the animal and ourselves used to it.

Choose the softest bristle brush possible for tooth brushing, and a toothpaste developed specifically for cats

He emphasised never to use a product made for human use when brushing teeth, as it can even cause poisoning. Toothpastes made for cats are flavoured, so they practically function as a treat. If we want to invest in it, we can choose a brush that works with electrolysis technology. If we prefer a more budget-friendly solution, then we should keep one thing in mind: dogs’ and cats’ gums are as sensitive as those of small children, so we should buy the softest bristle brush possible.

The doctor also highlighted tartar-preventing chews – such products are already made for cats as well – which can really provide serious help with daily use. While these products don’t remove existing tartar, they do scrub off the plaque and, with saliva production, essentially rinse the mouth. However, do keep in mind that these also contain calories, so if given regularly, it’s worth adjusting the calorie content of main meals accordingly.

Examining the cat’s mouth – healthy gums are light pink all over

If tartar removal is needed

We learned that while tartar removal by a groomer does remove tartar from the surface of the tooth, it doesn’t deal with the deposits hidden under the gums, as the animal is not anaesthetised for the procedure. The vet performs full-scale tartar removal, including under the gums, under anaesthesia using ultrasound. The doctor also shared that after this, the vet polishes the teeth, which provides a smooth surface and prevents – or at least delays – tartar and plaque build-up. It may be worth booking a tartar removal once a year, but by applying the above elements, it’s possible that it won’t be necessary so frequently.