One thread: 2 unrelated questions!

[zoeysmom]

I didn't see the point in starting 2 different threads, so hopefully people who can help with either of these questions will stumble upon this thread!

First:

I noticed today at the pet store (I seem to be going there a lot lately!

Spoiled cats!) that they have a tartar removing liquid that can be added to water. Does anyone know if these actually work, or are they are marketing scam? I have the toothpaste and toothbrush for the cats, but no one (us, or that cats) seem to have much interest/tolerance of brushing those tiny little teeth! I thought maybe the liquid would be a good alternative. Has anyone used them?

Second:

I'm not complaining, but it's darn cold in our apartment. We live in a basement apartment and the upper neighbours have control of the thermostat. I don't really want to ask them to turn it down because, having lived in basements before, I know that there can be a huge difference in temperatures on different levels of a house. I have just been putting on a sweater and some socks. Should I be providing a source of more warmth for the cats, and, if so, what can I use? There are blankets in some of their sleeping spots and I'm not comfortable keeping a heating pad plugged in all day while I'm at work. I can't think of anything else that would provide heat for an extended period of time. If anyone has any suggestions (or just want to say not to worry about it!), that would be great!

Thanks!

 

[enuja]

On the heat question: would you be comfortable with leaving any heat-producing device on while you are away? Ceramic heating lamps made for reptiles are pretty safe; the real big danger with them is having them hit something flammable. If you put one in a small metal cage so the cats can't bump it and it can't burn anything, that would probably be the safest way to provide heat. Even though you can't see the infared, aim it at a comfortable resting spot. Providing radiative heat is safer for the animals, too; much harder to get burnt.

On the other hand, if it's just "need a sweater" cold and not "see your breath" cold and you've got cats with fur, they do already have a sweater and are good at curling up and minimizing surface area. So I really wouldn't worry about it.

 

[cloud_shade]

I leave an oil-filled radiator space heater on for my cats (actually, I use it as the only source of heat in the house, since the radiant ceiling heat is too darned expensive to run). I also purchased a cat-safe heating pad--it's designed to go inside a cat bed. My old, arthritic boy loves it.

As for the water additive, I strongly doubt that it can remove tartar, though I wouldn't be surprised if it can help prevent it by reducing plaque. Tartar is plaque that has hardened on the teeth, and it typically needs to be removed by scraping with very sharp instruments or other mechanical action.

 

[sylorna]

teeth:
I've looked at that stuff too and have serious doubts about it. For one, it may make the cats drink less. Also, I'm pretty sure I've spoken to some folks on here who say it doesn't make much of a difference. I HAVE seen a big difference by mixing vet dental formula in with their normal dry, that way it costs a bit less and is easier to keep around, but they still have the plaque removed.
Other people will recommend a raw feeding or going all wet, apparently that helps too.

Heat:
I wouldn't be too concerned. I'm sure there's lots of places for them to cuddle, and besides that cats love a good plush blankie!

 

[bnwalker2]

I know what you mean about the basement! We live in a basement too, and it's always much colder down here than the rest of the house. In a way, it's not a horrible thing... if the air conditioner ever goes out, we'll still be nice and cool down here. I'm always cold and wear a sweater all the time, but the cats don't seem to mind much. They snuggle with us or each other and they seem content.

 

[cc12]

The water additive my vet advises is to help along a dental program for the cats not in place of one. I use something I add to their food and it seems to be helping. The vet swears by it and I am seeing results. I do CET dental chews once a day, raw feeding and brush as much as I can. They just had their checkups and their teeth are good. Mary who is 3 and Cleo who is 1 1/2 had no tartar at all. Seldon had a little but I brush him more often and it seems to have gone.
I have not started my kittens yet but I am getting them used to having fingers in their mouths.

 

[purrrplej]

I can't vouch for the liquid, but I give my kitty Friskies Dental Diet along with his other dry food, and the vet says it is doing good things for his teeth.

 

[zoeysmom]

Thanks for the responses. Do dental chews come from the vet? Are there any dental cleaning treats that actually make a difference?

 

[cloud_shade]

The dental treats are made by C.E.T. and can be purchased at the vet, but I think PetSmart carries them too. I know several online stores have them as well.

 

[nekochan]

I use Petz Life dental spray for my dogs and it has removed tartar from their teeth (also improved breath.) I don't use it for the cats because they really hate having it sprayed in their mouths! However the company makes a gel version with salmon oil which supposedly works well for cats.

 

[meowers]

If you have more than one cat, and have some sort of cloth furniture or cat bed, the cold shouldn't be a problem. Cats are great snugglers and will find warmth. If it's so cold you can barely live in it, maybe you should ask your neighbor casually what the temp is like up there.

haven't had any teeth probs with my two cats, so unless it's a concern the vet has told you about, don't stress too much. Dental treats do help I'm sure. What you feed them daily has more impact than anything else, just my thought.