The Importance of Dental Care for Your Cat's Overall Health

Free First Visit Offer (657) 756-5683 At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we understand that your cat's dental health is crucial for their overall well-being. Our experienced veterinarians, Dr. Ryan Smith and Dr. Richard Forman, are here to guide you through the importance of cat dental care and how to maintain optimal oral health for your feline friend. A light blue heart icon on a white background, symbolizing compassion and care, often associated with veterinarians. A minimalist image featuring a large green curved shape on the right side, reminiscent of a veterinarian symbol, set against a plain white background. A simple, solid blue circle centered on a white background, reminiscent of the calm assurance found in a veterinarian's care. A solid green heart shape sits prominently on a white background, symbolizing the care and compassion of a veterinarian's dedication.

What’s Involved in Cat Dental Care?

We recommend bringing your cat in for an annual dental check-up. This allows us to assess your cat’s mouth thoroughly. Some cats develop a specific dental condition called neck lesions, which can be extremely painful. Unfortunately, the cause of these lesions is not fully understood, and cats often don’t show obvious signs of discomfort. That’s why regular check-ups are essential.

During these visits, we’ll evaluate your cat’s dental health and determine if they need professional cleaning or other treatments. For younger cats with healthy mouths, we’ll teach you how to brush their teeth at home. You’d be surprised how many cats can be trained to tolerate daily tooth brushing, which can significantly improve their oral health.

A person gently holds a cat's head and opens its mouth to show the cat's teeth. The cat has white and brown fur and appears calm.
A person gently holds a cat's head and opens its mouth to show the cat's teeth. The cat has white and brown fur and appears calm.

What’s Involved in Cat Dental Care?

We recommend bringing your cat in for an annual dental check-up. This allows us to assess your cat’s mouth thoroughly. Some cats develop a specific dental condition called neck lesions, which can be extremely painful. Unfortunately, the cause of these lesions is not fully understood, and cats often don’t show obvious signs of discomfort. That’s why regular check-ups are essential.

During these visits, we’ll evaluate your cat’s dental health and determine if they need professional cleaning or other treatments. For younger cats with healthy mouths, we’ll teach you how to brush their teeth at home. You’d be surprised how many cats can be trained to tolerate daily tooth brushing, which can significantly improve their oral health.

A person in blue scrubs and gloves examines a gray and white cat's mouth, gently holding the cat's head and opening its mouth, likely performing a dental or health check.

At-Home Dental Care for Your Cat

In addition to professional care, there are several things you can do at home to maintain your cat’s dental health:

  • Feed a healthy, balanced diet
  • Ensure your cat gets plenty of exercise
  • Brush your cat’s teeth regularly

We recommend using a small brush specifically designed for cats and cat-friendly toothpaste (available in flavors like chicken or salmon). While it might sound strange to us, cats often tolerate these flavors well, making the brushing process easier.

A person in blue scrubs and gloves examines a gray and white cat's mouth, gently holding the cat's head and opening its mouth, likely performing a dental or health check.

At-Home Dental Care for Your Cat

In addition to professional care, there are several things you can do at home to maintain your cat’s dental health:

  • Feed a healthy, balanced diet
  • Ensure your cat gets plenty of exercise
  • Brush your cat’s teeth regularly

We recommend using a small brush specifically designed for cats and cat-friendly toothpaste (available in flavors like chicken or salmon). While it might sound strange to us, cats often tolerate these flavors well, making the brushing process easier.

Signs of Dental Problems in Cats

Cats are masters at hiding pain, especially when it comes to dental issues. However, some signs to watch out for include:

  • Bad breath
  • Redness along the gum line
  • Changes in eating habits
  • Drooling
  • Pawing at the mouth

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to bring your cat in for a check-up at Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care.

A person holds a fluffy gray and white cat while using a blue finger toothbrush to clean the cat’s teeth. The cat looks calm and has green eyes.
A person holds a fluffy gray and white cat while using a blue finger toothbrush to clean the cat’s teeth. The cat looks calm and has green eyes.

Signs of Dental Problems in Cats

Cats are masters at hiding pain, especially when it comes to dental issues. However, some signs to watch out for include:

  • Bad breath
  • Redness along the gum line
  • Changes in eating habits
  • Drooling
  • Pawing at the mouth

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to bring your cat in for a check-up at Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care.

Our veterinarians can spot many dental issues during a routine examination. However, for a more comprehensive assessment, we may recommend a dental procedure under anesthesia. This allows us to take x-rays and thoroughly examine the gums and teeth for signs of periodontal disease or other issues.

Some dental conditions we frequently encounter in cats include:
  • Resorptive lesions: Painful lesions at the gum line that extend to the tooth root
  • Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums
  • Periodontal disease: A more severe condition affecting the structures supporting the teeth
  • Broken teeth
  • Oral tumors

Regular check-ups are crucial for early detection and treatment of these conditions. We recommend annual examinations for most cats, and twice-yearly check-ups for cats over 10 years old.

  1. Use cat-specific toothbrushes and toothpaste
  2. Start slowly and be patient
  3. Make it a positive experience with treats or praise
  4. Aim to brush daily, but even every other day can be beneficial
  5. Focus on brushing along the gum line

Remember, never use human toothpaste on your cat. It’s not designed to be swallowed and can upset their stomach.

While dental treats can be helpful, they’re not a substitute for regular brushing. And yes, cats can develop cavity-like conditions, particularly the painful resorptive lesions we mentioned earlier. This is another reason why regular check-ups are so important.

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Schedule Your Cat’s Dental Check-up Today

At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we’re committed to providing the best possible care for your feline friend. If you have any questions about your cat’s dental health or would like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Call us at (657) 756-5683 or visit our website at Love.vet. We’re located at 16161 Springdale St, Huntington Beach, CA 92649, and we’re here to help keep your cat’s smile healthy and bright!