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Questions
- Are Dental Problems Common in Cats?
- How Many Teeth do Cats Have?
- How to Check Your Cat’s Teeth
- How to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
- Common Cat Dental Problems
- How to Improve Cat Dental Health
- How to Keep Your Cat’s Teeth Healthy
Everything You Need to Know About Cat Dental Care
Cat dental care is incredibly important, however, whilst we all know that regular dental checks and ongoing dental hygiene are imperative for humans, few of us consider the same for our felines.
Unfortunately, cat dental care goes beyond setting a timer for two minutes and cracking out the electric toothbrush to do the hard work for you - getting to grips with your cat’s teeth can be tricky, especially if pesky plaque has already had its wicked way. Fear not, though, because we’ve got all the information you need to help you keep your cat’s mouth as healthy and clean as possible.
Are Dental Problems Common in Cats?
Much like in humans, dental problems can cause a number of issues for our feline friends and can be seen in as many as 90% of cats over the age of four, showing that feline teeth need a little TLC too.
That’s not to say that your cat will inevitably experience issues if you didn’t realise the need for feline dental care until now, but it does mean that getting to grips with their dental care moving forward is the best way to prevent issues in the future.
How Many Teeth do Cats Have?
Kittens have around 26 deciduous teeth, or milk teeth as they’re more commonly known to us humans. Like milk teeth, this starter set typically falls out by the six-month mark and is replaced by 30 adult teeth. The growth of new teeth can cause some inflammation and discomfort to your cat, but this shouldn’t be cause for concern if it clears itself within a few days.
Even at this stage, however, you need to be on the alert for early-onset dental problems that may be a sign of worse things to come - or even require veterinary attention from the off, including:
Milk teeth that don’t fall out
Teeth that grow too close together
Missing teeth
Adult teeth that fall out
Contacting your vet quickly when you notice issues like these will give you the best chance of reducing any discomfort and set your cat on a positive dental footing. In cases of overcrowding, especially, starting treatment early can drastically help your cat to avoid escalating problems like periodontal disease in later life.
How to Check Your Cat’s Teeth
Spotting these early problems is dependent on your ability to get a good look at those gnashers. As you’ll soon realise after a few nasty nips (those teeth can feel like needles, can’t they?), this is much easier said than done.
The simple fact is that even the most docile of cats are unlikely to enjoy having a finger in their mouths - especially if it’s never happened before! And, let’s be honest, most of us don’t have docile cats, so it can seem like we stand no chance!
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As difficult as it may be, it is an important aspect of owning a cat and general advice suggests that you should do a thorough dental check at least two to three times a month. We know it sounds a lot, but dental problems and trauma can occur quickly, so keeping a close eye is your best chance to avoid escalating issues. During your checks, you’ll want to look out for the following:
Visible damage
Bad breath
Bleeding or inflamed gums
Ulcers, swelling or bumps at the back of the mouth
Any foreign objects
Each of these signs is especially worrying when paired with a change in behaviour, including difficulty eating, pawing at the mouth or excessive drooling.
When preparing to do a check, it’s vital that you keep the right equipment on hand so that you can act fast – your cat probably won’t be very receptive for a while after this, so you only get one shot! As soon as you have the thought of doing a dental check, stock your pockets with:
Safety gloves (trust us, you’ll need them!)
A small flashlight or torch
Talk to your cat quietly throughout the process and, as you do, tip their head backwards slightly while using your thumb and index finger to spread their mouth. The key here is to go slowly and gently, and avoid rushing or prying their mouth wide open.
Instead, be slow, keep the strokes coming, and open their mouth only as much as you need to get a good look. Start with the front teeth as these are easiest to inspect without ruffling your feline too severely, then move onto the back of the mouth after your other checks are finished so that it won’t matter as much if they snap shut and run away shortly after.
Always offer a treat when you’ve finished so that they associate this process with a positive outcome. While they might not become receptive as such, this should at least prevent them from running a mile next time they see you getting your flashlight out. However, if they start fighting, it’s probably best to simply try again when they’re in a better mood. And, of course, you should always supplement these at-home checks with a once-yearly veterinary examination to make sure that any potential problems are picked up early.
How to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
We wouldn’t attend our six-monthly dental appointments and assume that our teeth will happily take care of themselves in the interim. In the same respect, while checking your cat’s teeth often is crucial, this is not the only step you need to take towards a healthy mouth - you also need to consider proactive teeth cleaning. As with humans, a toothbrush and toothpaste is the best way to keep your cat’s teeth sparkling clean.
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We know what you’re thinking… this is madness! Your cat will never let you get scrubbing! However, regular brushing in cats is just as essential as brushing your own teeth twice a day. After all, cats are as prone to plaque as we are, so keeping them fresh and clean is essential.
Admittedly, we don’t see cats in the wild pulling out their toothbrushes, but that’s because wild cats will naturally chew on things like bone and grass to keep their dental health in check. Domesticated cats often don’t have access to these resources, meaning that a few extra steps need to be taken. But how on earth do you brush a cat’s teeth?
The good news is that if you’re on top of your regular examinations, your cat should already be becoming more receptive to dental interference, which will definitely help.
Once you’re at a point where your cat doesn’t bite you the moment you take that dreaded finger near, it’s time to start brushing. It’s recommended that you do this a minimum of twice a week, so it’s best to establish a rigid routine so you don’t forget.
There are a huge variety of great toothbrushes and toothpaste to choose from, such as the Dentifresh Toothbrush & Toothpaste Kit, which has been specifically formulated for your cat’s dental needs. Once you’ve managed to stock up on the best essentials, it’s time to get brushing following our top tips below:
Build up slowly – Get your cat used to you touching their mouth and the taste of the toothpaste. Do this from a young age if possible so it becomes a normal part of their routine.
Choose the right time – Choose a time when your cat is relaxed but not sleeping.
Approach from behind – Even if your cat loves to snuggle, this is a new experience, so approaching from the front could read as aggressive and send them out of the door straight away. Instead, approach from behind so that you don’t startle them.
Perfect your hold – You can’t brush your cat’s teeth without holding them, so try to plan how you’re going to do that. The best position is often a palm on the back of their head while you use your thumb and index finger to manage their mouth.
Start with your fingers – Your fingers are more familiar than a toothbrush, so use your finger to run toothpaste around your cat’s mouth the first few times you do this. Introduce a toothbrush over a period of time and then get brushing at last!
Common Cat Dental Problems
Brushing your cat’s teeth might seem like a lot of work, but failure to care for your cat’s dental hygiene can lead to a range of painful conditions, including:
Gingivitis
Periodontitis
Tooth resorption
Stomatitis
Fractures
And more
Each of these can typically be attributed to plaque and tartar build-up – which is precisely the issue you stand to solve through regular cat teeth cleaning!
How to Improve Cat Dental Health
Most cats will become more accustomed to regular brushing over time. They may not jump for joy at the sight of that toothbrush, but they should at least sit through the process to get the treat at the end.
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However, if you have a particularly fearsome feline who still gives you nasty nips and fights every time you try to brush, it’s time to think about your alternatives. After all, a twice-weekly battle like this is only going to stress you both out!
Luckily, while brushing does remain the best way to tackle plaque and the issues it causes, there are plenty of cat teeth cleaning alternatives on offer. These are a lot better than leaving teeth unchecked and work in much the same ways as natural chewing behaviours would if your cat was in the wild. Some of the best options include:
Dental gels like the Beaphar Fresh Breath Tooth Gel for Dogs & Cats
Dental treats like the DentaLife Chicken Treats
Chew toys such as the Grumpy Cat Chew Toy
To supplement these without creating a scene, it’s also vital to keep up regular annual checks with your vet, who can do a proper clean and make sure that your preventive measures are keeping plaque at bay.
How to Keep Your Cat’s Teeth Healthy
As well as getting to grips with brushing and its alternatives right now, it’s essential to consider a long-term plan to keep your cat’s teeth as healthy as possible moving forward. Obviously, regular cat dental care itself is the key cog in this machine, but you’ll also want to consider things like:
Ongoing dental veterinary checks - around once a year
Diet - choose dry cat food or treats specifically targeted towards plaque removal
At-home checks – look out for any signs of dental problems
With these tools to hand and a regular routine that works for your feline and you, you should find that your cat’s pearly whites stay strong, white, and wonderful for many years to come. Explore our expert tips and advice for your cat on our blog to keep them as healthy and happy as possible.