If cats' teeth are not cleaned in the end, they end up accumulating so much dirt that dental problems do not take long to appear. To avoid this, it is highly recommended to accustom them from a very young age to the routine of oral hygiene because if they do not they can lose their precious teeth before their time.
So If you need tips to remove tartar in cats, here are some 🙂.
What is tartar?
Tartar It is made up of stones that form as debris builds up on the teeth. These residues are a mixture of bacterial plaque, food debris and mineral salts that occupy the space between teeth and between the gums. In addition, it is necessary to know that any cat can have this problem, although those that are more than three years old and those that are fed with low-quality feed (such as those from the supermarket) are more prone.
What consequences can it have?
If we do nothing, our furry ones may have to deal with:
- Bad breath or halitosis: is the first symptom. It occurs when the accumulation of tartar breaks down.
- Gingivitis: it is the inflammation and redness of the gums. Over time the root of the tooth is exposed, which causes them a lot of pain.
- Periodontal disease: it could be said that it is the continuation of the previous two. The teeth continue to deteriorate, to the point that they fall out. Then the maxilla, the mandible, the palate, etc. they will be harmed. If the problem continues to be ignored, it can become so complicated that the lives of cats can be in serious danger.
- Secondary infections: when the health of animals is weakened, infections appear. What began as a simple problem of accumulated tartar, can end up with a much more serious problem that affects the nose, eyes, heart or kidneys, among others.
How is it prevented / removed?
Now that we know how important oral hygiene is, let's see how to prevent or remove tartar in cats:
- Brush their teeth: at least three times a week, although the ideal is every day. We will use a brush and a specific toothpaste for cats, and we will get used to them little by little.
- We will give them a high quality diet: without cereals and without by-products, and better if it is dry feed since less scale will accumulate.
- Give them special toys: they are specially designed to remove tartar as soon as animals bite them.
- Take them for a professional cleaning: If the tartar has accumulated too much and the symptoms have already appeared, what we will do is take them to the vet for a cleaning under general anesthesia.
With these tips, cats are sure to be able to use their teeth throughout their lives 🙂.