Wondering about Dental Care

I was wondering how many cat owners are able to brush their cats teeth or do you get annual cleanings. I always had dogs and years ago no one brushed their dogs teeth that I knew of. I gave them the dental enzyme bones from the vet and their teeth looked good.. Now I have 4 cats all rescues and now I am dealing with dental issues. I feel horrible cause my female had some bad breath and I got a brush and the pet paste not cheap stuff and was using it but she is so hard to do anything to cause several years ago she went blind so she is very skittish. She was hiding from the other cats but she would come out at night on the bed with me and she ate very well actually a bit overweight. Well when I could get to check her mouth from time to time I saw a swelling over her front canine and it looked strange. Took her to the vet and she had to have 12 teeth removed one was an extra tooth so would have been 11. All were on the one side of her mouth. Other side of her mouth was fine. It was infected under the gum line into the bone so  they had to be pulled. She had to lose 1 front upper canine. Total  $1400 which my vet dropped it to $800 luckily but I have limited income but I had to get it done. Now my other male has some weird looking tooth so I am freaking out with the vet bills. I ordered some Healthy Mouth stuff you put in their water for plaque. Any input would be appreciated I feel awful that she had to go through this. My vet bills over time are insane with so many other issues. 

I have to say that I never tried brushing my cat's teeth. She did get a cleaning once. Here's a good video on how to train your cats to accept brushing.

http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/pet-owners/cat-teeth/entire-video

When I first started brushing my cats' teeth, I found that they didn't like the bristles or they just weren't used to the bristles, and I suspect it probably hurts if the teeth/gums are already sore to begin with.

I started with a Q-tip. I put a small amount of the cat toothpaste on the cotton tip and swabbed their teeth and gums. I didn't even have to open their mouths because the Q-tip fits perfectly in between their cheek and gums. They tolerated that much better, and I figured it was better than nothing. I try to use a small bristled cat toothbrush about once a week, as this does a better job at removing plaque/tartar.

I also occasionally use the "Gingivitis Recipe" at this site: www.holisticat.com/dental.html

Unfortunately, if your other cat is starting to have a FORL forming, it's really difficult, if not impossible, to stop it. 

When I first adopted my boy at around 15 weeks I used to use the teeth wipes you can buy in pet stores to try to get him used to me touching his mouth but wasn't convinced they did any good and he certainly didn't like them. I was a bit wary of putting stuff in his water as he drinks a lot and didn't want to give him chemicals he didn't need.  

After teething and adult teeth coming through he developed severe stomatitis and was pretty sick for a while  (much better now but gums still get inflamed).  After initial pain relief and antibiotics he was started on an enzyme tooth brushing routine twice a day plus prescription dental food. Once I checked he liked the taste of the paste (he loves it), like GoHolistic I started the tooth brushing with a cotton bud as it fitted nicely past his lips and it was quite easy to reach around his mouth without loosing my fingers.  After a couple of weeks I moved on to the little finger brush supplied with the paste and he much preferred this - I suspect because he thinks it's like permission to chew my finger!   I don't brush with every session as I don't want him to loose his idea that the tooth routine is a treat and the enzymes are supposed to help with or without brushing. I give his teeth a more thorough brush every other session and even then he's really good and I just have to support his head a little so he doesn't move away. It starts with me going 'Oooooh, tooth time' all silly and like it's play time and he comes running, then jumps up on to the worktop waiting for the brush and paste.      Way better than him thinking I'm going to pin him down and force his mouth open. To be honest I'm not sure I'd cope if we hadn't found a way for him to like it.

The paste I get from the vet is an enzyme paste for cats and dogs and the only 'bad' ingredient it has in it as far as I can tell is glucose for some inexplicable reason! For cats you only use a tiny bit each day so a tube lasts about 3 or 4 months (for 1 cat using daily).  In UK £ it works out less than £2 per month and that is way less than nasty vet bills (and yes, I can tell if I miss it for a day).

I am going to try some of this. I have a 5 year old who only eats wet food and is having some dental issues (along with bad breath). My other kitty, age 9, doesn't seem to have the same issues because she eats only dry food and drinks a lot of water. The 5 year old RARELY drinks water (because she gets her water from the wet food) and won't really eat dry food (only if it is the only thing available). I am trying dental treats for her but I am afraid they won't be enough. She also acts like a kitten and is really skirmish, especially when someone is trying to give her meds or something. We will see how it works out. Sorry for the long note! <3

2catminimum said:

I am going to try some of this. I have a 5 year old who only eats wet food and is having some dental issues (along with bad breath). My other kitty, age 9, doesn't seem to have the same issues because she eats only dry food and drinks a lot of water. The 5 year old RARELY drinks water (because she gets her water from the wet food) and won't really eat dry food (only if it is the only thing available). I am trying dental treats for her but I am afraid they won't be enough. She also acts like a kitten and is really skirmish, especially when someone is trying to give her meds or something. We will see how it works out. Sorry for the long note! <3

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Good for you.  Even starting from 5 I reckon if they like the taste of something you can make it fun for them.

Don't worry about the wet food, it is better for the cat.  Cat kibble doesn't help with dental hygiene either as you may see in some of the other posts on this site.The difference between your cats is more likely to be genetics and luck more than what they eat.  (The prescription dental diet is very large, hard kibble that they have to crunch so it scrapes their teeth but nutritionally and health wise I'd far rather feed my boy on healthier wet food if I could).  Tooth brushing and dental checks are definitely a good idea - esp if your 5 year old's breath has a smell to it.  I used to describe Mouse's breath as 'meaty' - cat's breath shouldn't smell and his was really strong!  

I just found out now that the wet food is actually better for them to cause it has more water content for them. I give them the the Science Diet tarter food as treats and ordered the stuff you put in the water I think its called Healthy Mouth I had to order online they also make a gel now. I also am using Ora-Vet Plaque Prevention gel after the cleaning that i use once a week on my girl since the cleaning. I will check out the Holistic recipe too thanks.  

I have two cats with ongoing dental issues. For one, it's clearly an issue of genetics, as her three brothers are also our pets, so they've all been on the same diet. Spooky had her first tooth removed at just over one year old; two of her brothers had their first tooth removal(s) at 10 years old, and the third just needed his teeth cleaned.

The other kitty I have that has dental issues is Chumley, who is FIV+. Cats with FIV almost always have dental problems.

I brush Spooky's teeth 3 or 4 times a week. I use the finger brush. It was actually rather easy with her, because she LOVES being brushed (with a brush), and would always push her mouth and gums against a stiff brush REALLY hard. So all I had to do was brush around her mouth with the finger thingy, and she basically started brushing her own teeth. I did start with baby food rather than toothpaste when it came to getting her used to having her teeth brushed with stuff on the brush.

I don't brush Chumley's teeth. He was rescued as a feral at "3 or 4" years old. He's lived inside with us for 3 years now... but he's still pretty leery of hands, and I think regular dentals are going to be less stressful than trying to brush his teeth. I was feeling bad for Chum for having had one canine removed, but I'm feeling like he/we are pretty lucky now!

Took my other boy in today to check his teeth they did not think it was FORL but I guess the xrays will tell more. They did his bloodwork and will set him up for a cleaning in a few weeks as soon as I get some finances together they said overall he didn't look bad so it was ok to even wait a bit. He was not like my female was. So I will not wait now that I know what can happen. Hope your guys are doing well after their dental s.