my kitty has bad breath. He has no medical problems and I feed him a mix of Nutro Natural choice and Iams. Should I be brushing his teeth? Am interested to know how many of you do this? Thank you.
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How many here brush their cat's teeth?
- Thread starter zander's_mom
- Start Date
I brush all my kitties teeth! Some of my cats get really bad breath
! I heard somewhere that if a cat has fishy breath, it is a sign of an illness. The smell is probably from tartar or a gum disease. Check your kitties teeth and look for pale or dark gums and tartar. You may need to take him to the vet to have his teeth cleaned!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
is healthy as he was just at the vet for his neuter and a complete health check. How often do you brush your cat's teeth? Is there any cat toothpaste that is recommended or better? Thanks again.
The only products I know of, are ones I have seen at Petsmart or Petco. Though I no longer buy from Petco.
They have pet tooth whips
http://www.petsmart.com/cat/shopping...%5F23465.shtml
http://www.petsmart.com/cat/shopping...%5F27540.shtml
And they also have tooth paste, and tooth brushs. You shouldn't use human toothpaste, it's not healthy for them. Plus most CATS wont like the minty taste
http://www.petsmart.com/cat/shopping...%5F15687.shtml
A lot of people like the finger brushs, I just use a small childs toothbrush personally. The one that comes in the kit above is plunty small. Animal tooth paste is often flavored like Turkey, Chicken or Peanut Butter.
http://www.petsmart.com/cat/shopping...%5F15568.shtml
They have pet tooth whips
http://www.petsmart.com/cat/shopping...%5F23465.shtml
http://www.petsmart.com/cat/shopping...%5F27540.shtml
And they also have tooth paste, and tooth brushs. You shouldn't use human toothpaste, it's not healthy for them. Plus most CATS wont like the minty taste
http://www.petsmart.com/cat/shopping...%5F15687.shtml
A lot of people like the finger brushs, I just use a small childs toothbrush personally. The one that comes in the kit above is plunty small. Animal tooth paste is often flavored like Turkey, Chicken or Peanut Butter.
http://www.petsmart.com/cat/shopping...%5F15568.shtml
I tried to brush my cat's teeth, but gave up - he won't hold still and gets so upset that it's not worthwhile (plus I value my hands). He eats dry food every morning, so I hope that helps to prevent tartar.
I really tried, but it was tough on the both of us
Now, I just take him to the vet once per year for a teeth cleening. Hopefully, having dry food out all day helps too.
I always have my animals teeth checked out any time we go to the vet for anything, just so that if they do see something I can catch it early and get it treated.
Though I have never had any teeth issues yet. As none of MY personal animals are that old.
There have been studies world wide showing that dry food helps with tartar in such a way that chewing a hard pretzle would benifit us compaired to munching on taffy (aka canned cat food.)
But there have been studies saying canned food is better for teeth, and some studies saying that neither one makes a difference!
I personally believe dry food works the best for teeth. Any cat I have ever taken care of, had significant breath and tartar increase when fed a mostly wet food diet (of any low or high quality) it didn't matter.
If your cat does eat wet food, there always many hard treats to offer them. Like the tarter control treats, the pieces are oven very big, the bigger the better, as the cat will have to crunch it with their teeth more, verse swallowing small treats whole, and gaining no benifit.
There is also dental treats for cats, one I like is called Greenies.
Though I have never had any teeth issues yet. As none of MY personal animals are that old.
There have been studies world wide showing that dry food helps with tartar in such a way that chewing a hard pretzle would benifit us compaired to munching on taffy (aka canned cat food.)
But there have been studies saying canned food is better for teeth, and some studies saying that neither one makes a difference!
I personally believe dry food works the best for teeth. Any cat I have ever taken care of, had significant breath and tartar increase when fed a mostly wet food diet (of any low or high quality) it didn't matter.
If your cat does eat wet food, there always many hard treats to offer them. Like the tarter control treats, the pieces are oven very big, the bigger the better, as the cat will have to crunch it with their teeth more, verse swallowing small treats whole, and gaining no benifit.
There is also dental treats for cats, one I like is called Greenies.
I brush my kitties teeth everyday, well I try to. Try using the brushes that fit over your finger, they work great for me.
A friend recently went to a seminar on dental health for cats. Each attendee was given a biscuit to eat. Then asked if their teeth felt clean. Everyone said "NO". The vet said now you know why dry food does not help - cats cannot chew like you do, the food gets caught between the teeth and decay is the obvious result. He supports quality canned food and preferably raw chickken necs or wings three to four times a week.
patcatpet
patcatpet
Patcatpet: They've also done similar tests where the results yeilded that yes, there was a reduction in plaque. It's just like humans, we too get things caught between our teeth, which is why we brush and floss, and which is why we do it for our pets. lol.
Raw chicken necks attribute to the same thing brushing would, or even under the belief of some people, eating dry food.
I just think it's another one of those things that will always be up in the are and people will constantly be changing their opinions on it based on new findings. Much like our struggle with the egg, raw eggs are good, then their bad, the whole egg is good, and now you should only eat the yolk, and it goes on like this. Did you know that eggshells are good for helping ferrets pass hairballs? But then again a lot of people don't believe that.
I encourage you to do your own studies and come to your own conclusions, it's the only way you can feel semi good about what you feed and how you care for your animals.
Raw chicken necks attribute to the same thing brushing would, or even under the belief of some people, eating dry food.
I just think it's another one of those things that will always be up in the are and people will constantly be changing their opinions on it based on new findings. Much like our struggle with the egg, raw eggs are good, then their bad, the whole egg is good, and now you should only eat the yolk, and it goes on like this. Did you know that eggshells are good for helping ferrets pass hairballs? But then again a lot of people don't believe that.
I encourage you to do your own studies and come to your own conclusions, it's the only way you can feel semi good about what you feed and how you care for your animals.
After losing a cat to liver cancer and another, to the complications of diabetes and CRF I did a heap of research before getting my new kittens. Never again would I feed dry food - one manufacturer admits it can cause FLUTD! I know it causes obesity (high carbohydrate content) and therefore diabetes; because it contains no moisture it cannot be good for the cats' kidneys. Much of the canned food is not nutritionally sound - all canned fish is VERY high in phosphorus and most of the canned food we get here in Australia is the same.
Mine are are on free range chicken and chicken necks, free range eggs, yolk only - uncooked white is linked to a particular type of anaemia. I balance the phosphorus and give them a complete supplement. They also get goat's milk yoghurt which is naturally lactose free and contains the EBC for good intestinal health.
After all, a cat is an obligate carnivore and must eat meat and fat if it is to remain healthy!
patcatpet
Mine are are on free range chicken and chicken necks, free range eggs, yolk only - uncooked white is linked to a particular type of anaemia. I balance the phosphorus and give them a complete supplement. They also get goat's milk yoghurt which is naturally lactose free and contains the EBC for good intestinal health.
After all, a cat is an obligate carnivore and must eat meat and fat if it is to remain healthy!
patcatpet
hmmm..i wonder where can i get my hands on free range eggs, chicken necks and chickens.
Ro-zie are you teasing or really asking? A lot of stores are selling them, or you can check your phone book for meat distributors or processors, check for more health conscious stores or co-ops, check with holistic vets and pet stores, all sorts of places to look!
Wow, this has been an interesting thread! I don't brush my kitties teeth but they do eat some chicken necks or wings, depending on their mood.
Angel, are they special kitty greenies or are all greenies the same? Not sure my cats would go for those!
Wow, this has been an interesting thread! I don't brush my kitties teeth but they do eat some chicken necks or wings, depending on their mood.
Angel, are they special kitty greenies or are all greenies the same? Not sure my cats would go for those!
Chicken necks? Do you mean like raw chicken necks from the grocery store/butcher? Do you just give them a raw neck and they chew on it? what about salmonella? It sounds like it might be a good idea but i am haveing a hard time pictureing it.
Rozie: I know that I have seen free range eggs in my grocery store. You probably have them too if you just look. As far as the others one. I don't know, but I'm sure they wouldn't be too hard to find.
Ali: They have the bone figure ones for dogs of all sizes, and then they have like shredded greenies for small animals. People normally sprinkle some on top of their food.
I have the small sized greenie bones. I've offered it to my cats, they sniff, take a lick, and then decide that it's a toy.
The dogs I have used them on, for the ones that ate it, it DID work, improved teeth and breath. Plus they are all natural.
http://www.greenies.com
Binkihoo: Regaurding the feeding of RAW/BARF materials, you should do some reading on it and you'll understand how it is fed. Cats eat raw food, they can eat it in our homes, or they can eat it out in the wild, they are much more resistant to the enzymes in things like raw meat, either from the beef at a bucher shop, or from a fresh kill. However most people who do feed RAW or BARF (this includes chicken necks.) Regularly deworm their animals.
There are a lot of great websites out there. Just do a search for RAW Cat Diet.
Ali: They have the bone figure ones for dogs of all sizes, and then they have like shredded greenies for small animals. People normally sprinkle some on top of their food.
I have the small sized greenie bones. I've offered it to my cats, they sniff, take a lick, and then decide that it's a toy.
The dogs I have used them on, for the ones that ate it, it DID work, improved teeth and breath. Plus they are all natural.
http://www.greenies.com
Binkihoo: Regaurding the feeding of RAW/BARF materials, you should do some reading on it and you'll understand how it is fed. Cats eat raw food, they can eat it in our homes, or they can eat it out in the wild, they are much more resistant to the enzymes in things like raw meat, either from the beef at a bucher shop, or from a fresh kill. However most people who do feed RAW or BARF (this includes chicken necks.) Regularly deworm their animals.
There are a lot of great websites out there. Just do a search for RAW Cat Diet.
Thanks AngelzOO for the information. Next time I to the grocery store I'll double check for the free range eggs again.
I feed only free range - guaranteed no hormones or antibiotics chicken necks driect from a certified free range supplier. The cats demolish a neck within 10 minutes. I observe strict hygiene when preparing their raw food diets and what is not eten in 30 minutes is refrigerated until they are ready to eat it. What is no eten at the second attempt is discarded.
As far as salmonella is concerned - my childhood cat ( black shorthair domestic, was given to me when I was three - there were no vacinnations in those days. He was fed raw meat and a saucer of milk. He supplemented his food intake (we lived in the country) with mice, rats and the occasional rabbit. He was never sick - Vet expenses were zilch. He lived a long and happy life, finally passing away sleeping in the sun under his favourite tree, when I was in the UK and 26 years old. My Aunt, living in the city, had a longhaired ginger cat who ate similar food, but with only mice as an optional extra. He was 25 when he left her for a better place.
Today we vaccinate out cats and feed them canned and dry food. The develop diabetes, oxalate and struvite stones, renal failure, pancreatitis, cancer, chronic renal failure and most are at the Rainbow Bridge by the time they are 16 or 17, often younger.
That is why I have gone back to feeding them the food nature designed them to eat - high protein, low carb raw food - all organic or as near as I can get to it, properly balanced and nutritionally complete!
patcatpet
pactatpet
As far as salmonella is concerned - my childhood cat ( black shorthair domestic, was given to me when I was three - there were no vacinnations in those days. He was fed raw meat and a saucer of milk. He supplemented his food intake (we lived in the country) with mice, rats and the occasional rabbit. He was never sick - Vet expenses were zilch. He lived a long and happy life, finally passing away sleeping in the sun under his favourite tree, when I was in the UK and 26 years old. My Aunt, living in the city, had a longhaired ginger cat who ate similar food, but with only mice as an optional extra. He was 25 when he left her for a better place.
Today we vaccinate out cats and feed them canned and dry food. The develop diabetes, oxalate and struvite stones, renal failure, pancreatitis, cancer, chronic renal failure and most are at the Rainbow Bridge by the time they are 16 or 17, often younger.
That is why I have gone back to feeding them the food nature designed them to eat - high protein, low carb raw food - all organic or as near as I can get to it, properly balanced and nutritionally complete!
patcatpet
pactatpet
I don't brushed my cats teeth either, the odd time I do. But some cats do not like have their teeth being brushed. I give tartar control treat once a day and that seem to help get rid of the tartar and prevent build up of tartar on the teeth. Also, kibbles help in prevented tartar on cats teeth. They say to get a cat use to having their teeth brushed, is to start when they are kittens and it would be alot easier on the cat.
This is a bit unconventional...When I can get my hands on one, I just give my boys a cardboard box (even a shoe box will do), and they chew the corners and edges of the box. I don't let them swallow the pieces, however, the teeth do come out nice an clean!
Most of the time I just brush the teeth.
