Estcourt Vets Devizes
Why you need to act now to protect your cat’s oral health
It’s a sad fact that four out of five cats in the Wiltshire area will likely have gum disease by the age of three. Which means that if you have a cat, you should act now to give them the best possible chance of getting into the 20% that have no oral issues. If you’re not sure whether your cat has had a dental check-up in the last 12 months, then we recommend you book an appointment as soon as possible.
According to Estcourt Vets’ Vet Scott Carpenter, it is important to catch dental problems early because advanced dental disease is unpleasant for your cat and can lead to other health issues. As it’s pet dental health month, we’re sharing a few simple steps you can take to prevent problems from arising and give yourself peace of mind.
How to protect your cat’s teeth between vet checks
1. Check your cat’s teeth regularly
You should examine your cat’s teeth regularly. Get them used to being checked and you’ll minimise the chances of being bitten or clawed. Scott advises that you check for:
- Painful, red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Gums that have receded
- Lumps on the gums
- Yellow material on the teeth (plaque)
- Hard, brown material between the gums and the base of the teeth (tartar)
- Loose, broken, or missing teeth
2. Learn the signs of early dental problems in cats
Always keep a careful eye on your cat’s behaviour and look out for the early signs of dental problems:
- Bad breath
- Reduced appetite
- Discomfort when eating
- Weight loss
- Poor coat condition
- Pawing at the mouth
- Drooling
3. Prevention of cat teeth problems
As with oral health in humans, we all know that prevention is better than cure. Here’s what Scott recommends you should be doing on a regular basis:
- Brush your cat’s teeth – If you’ve never done this before then pop into our Estcourt Street surgery and one of our friendly vet nurses will show you how.
- Pay attention to your cat’s diet – Special dental diets are available for cats with oral issues.
- Consider using dental treats and chews – Ask our team for tips on tried & tested products.
If you need any help or advice, or would like us to check your cat’s teeth, book a dental check-up online or give us a call on 01380 723687.
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