Gingivitis / Brushing Teeth Tips?

Hello!

So I took my new cat, Charles, to his first vet appointment on Saturday. She told me that he has some mild gingivitis (assuming its mild enough to not need any emergency treatment since she didn't mention having to do anything immediately) She said he would benefit from a dry food for oral health (Hill's prescription or Science Diet one for oral health). I only give him a little bit of dry food a day, though...he gets wet 2x a day so that makes up the majority of his diet, so I'm not sure how beneficial it would be for him. I did start giving him some Greenies treats, but I'm guessing the most beneficial thing I could do for him would be to start brushing his teeth regularly. Any tips on how to do that? He's a fairly calm kitty but I have a feeling he's not going to let me anywhere near his mouth! =/

Welcome to the site!! Brushing is the only way to help with cleaning teeth. Here is an article on the how-tos http://www.thecatsite.com/a/brushing-your-cats-teeth Hope this helps and hope that Charles will allow his mouth worked with. Best to start slow. I just use a small gauze pad on my finger to get the started with teeth cleaning. Although, :anon: I am not so faithful as I should with my six and teeth cleaning.

It is a myth about dry food cleaning teeth. It really does nothing of the sort. I mean - does hard food clean our teeth when we crunch. And, most times, cats swallow their dry food whole. http://www.thecatsite.com/a/does-dry-food-actually-clean-your-cats-teeth

Feralvr said:

Welcome to the site!!

Brushing is the only way to help with cleaning teeth. Here is an article on the how-tos http://www.thecatsite.com/a/brushing-your-cats-teeth Hope this helps and hope that Charles will allow his mouth worked with. Best to start slow. I just use a small gauze pad on my finger to get the started with teeth cleaning. Although,

I am not so faithful as I should with my six and teeth cleaning.

It is a myth about dry food cleaning teeth. It really does nothing of the sort. I mean - does hard food clean our teeth when we crunch. And, most times, cats swallow their dry food whole. http://www.thecatsite.com/a/does-dry-food-actually-clean-your-cats-teeth

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Thanks for the link! I'm surprised about the dry food cleaning teeth myth...you'd think vets would be aware of that. I'm a new cat owner so I'm still learning a lot about what's effective/true and what isn't, and just from reading this site it seems like there's a lot of misinformation given to vets regarding food.

I'll pick up some kitty toothpaste this weekend and hopefully Charles won't put up too much of a fuss!

MellieAnne said:

Thanks for the link! I'm surprised about the dry food cleaning teeth myth...you'd think vets would be aware of that. I'm a new cat owner so I'm still learning a lot about what's effective/true and what isn't, and just from reading this site it seems like there's a lot of misinformation given to vets regarding food.

Click to expand...

I know, right? I swear, the vet techs at the place we go to give better advice with regard to stuff like this.

In fact, one recommended this video: http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/pet-owners/cat-teeth/entire-video

We haven't started doing it yet, but we plan on it very soon. ^^

I'm a relatively new cat owner too!

I fed raw, and chewing rabbit and quail bones has helped Ritz' gingivitus somewhat.  But some cats are just predisposed to dental problems (hereditary, poor kitten nutrition), and I think Ritz is one of them.