Smile Purr-lease – How to Care for Your Cat’s Teeth

Surprisingly this comes ahead of obesity – a well-known serious problem for the UK’s pets. However, felines are notoriously fussy when it comes to being handled, so how can pet owners ensure that their cat’s oral health is not being neglected?

Cat care company Tippaws offering healthy and nutritious feline diets and the highest-quality eco litter, along with their in-house Registered Veterinary Nurse and Feline Behaviourist, Francesca Lees provide advice on preventative feline dental care, as well as guidance on what to do if you suspect your cat has any dental disorders.

But why is preventing dental disorders so important?

Of all the dental disorders, periodontal disease is the most common, with 15.2% of cats suffering from it in the UK. *That’s an estimated 1.8 million cats affected annually from the nation’s 11 million strong cat population. While the direct symptoms of periodontal disease are painful enough (pain, gum inflammation, tooth mobility), if left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. The long-term impact of periodontal disease is also serious, with a study* showing that sufferers are 1.8x more likely to develop other health conditions compared to cats that don’t have periodontal disease. But here’s how pet parents can help…

Introduce tooth brushing as a preventative step to avoid dental disease

The best way to prevent dental disease in domestic cats is to routinely brush their teeth, and ideally a tooth brushing routine is established when your cat is a juvenile.

Through gentle introduction, kittens can be taught to accept tooth brushing. Start slowly, using both a cat friendly toothbrush and toothpaste (enzymatic toothpaste is the most effective) in a delicious flavour such as chicken. Start by letting them lick the toothpaste off the brush and once they’ve become accustomed to both, start touching their teeth and gum-line with the brush. Once they’re familiar with the toothbrush sensation on their gums and teeth, start to build up to a brushing motion, applying the bristles at a 45-degree angle to reach the surface of the tooth and gum line.

Establish a routine by doing it at the same time, at least once a day and build in positive associations such as offering treats during and after the process.

How do I keep my cat still?

Francesca Lees, Tippaws in-house veterinary nurse, says “The key to handling cats is to allow them to feel in control of the situation. Pinning them down or holding them tightly against their will serves to make them struggle more and is likely to result in a failed tooth brushing attempt. Instead go for the ‘hands off’ approach.”

What else can you do to prevent dental disease if your cat won't let you brush their teeth?

If you have a friendly and cooperative adult cat, it is possible to apply the same method of tooth-brushing introduction as you would with a kitten. But if you feel there is no way your cat would accept you going near them with a toothbrush, here’s some other ways that can help prevent dental disease:

1. Dental treats. Often porous in texture, they are scientifically designed to surround your cat's teeth to help reduce tartar build-up. The Veterinary Oral

Walk-in Chalet

The standard unit you will need for your licenced cattery, also used and approved by leading rescue groups throughout the UK.

The fully lined and insulated walk-in sleeping quarter measures 4ft wide x 4ft deep x 6ft high and has a vinyl floor for easy cleaning. Two removable UPVC shelves, a fully adjustable air vent, lockable cat flap and a fully opening window leading to a sunning shelf and ladder, make this a firm favourite with customers and cats alike!

A 6ft long exercise area gives your cats plenty of space to explore and relax. A second sunning shelf provides another area to watch the world go by as it is near the front of the pen.