Dental issues with cats -- advice?
March 27, 2024 3:38 PM Subscribe
Our 3 year old cat has just come back from his first teeth cleaning appointment -- and they ended up removing 7 teeth! Poor kitty! We've been advised to try brushing his teeth. He probably will fight it tooth and nail. Any product recommendations to help with this? Also things like probiotics/water additives/food supplements/food brand recommendations that have worked for you around dental care?
He is currently a healthy weight and has no other health issues. He grazes on a no-grain kibble and one small can of fussy cat wet food per day. Vet recommended we use a no-sugar cat food but didn't mention any particular brands. I'm not sure there is sugar even IN my current cat food.
Anything that has worked for you, please let me know! I've had cats my whole life but have never had any with teeth problems before. Please link to specific brands you like if possible. Thank you!
He is currently a healthy weight and has no other health issues. He grazes on a no-grain kibble and one small can of fussy cat wet food per day. Vet recommended we use a no-sugar cat food but didn't mention any particular brands. I'm not sure there is sugar even IN my current cat food.
Anything that has worked for you, please let me know! I've had cats my whole life but have never had any with teeth problems before. Please link to specific brands you like if possible. Thank you!
Best answer: My kitties needed a big cleaning and our vet gave us a few recommendations afterwards. I bought this oral care cat food, and we sprinkle a few kibbles (like four or five) on top of their wet food at each meal. So we don't substitute out all their food for this, but use it as a supplement. It's been about six months and we haven't been back to the vet, so I'm not sure if it's working. But reading the label, I think it's as much about the texture of the food as the ingredients. Probably can't hurt to try?
(Also, you can look at the ingredients list for your cat food. Should be on the label.)
posted by bluedaisy at 4:22 PM on March 27
(Also, you can look at the ingredients list for your cat food. Should be on the label.)
posted by bluedaisy at 4:22 PM on March 27
Best answer: A previous vet told me that it's not the "toothpaste" that makes any difference, but just the brushing; she recommended I use a free toothbrush from the (human) dentist and give treats after. I have the cats jump up on a desk so they're arm-height, and then just brush the outsides of their teeth quickly. (And then treats.) The cats are fairly easygoing, though, so I know that may not work for everyone.
posted by lapis at 4:39 PM on March 27
posted by lapis at 4:39 PM on March 27
Best answer: I think sometimes, anticipating that a cat will hate something, we can over-restrain them, and the restraint itself is the most upsetting thing for the cat.
If you can, start out by playing with your cat with the toothbrush. He may start chewing on it, which would be nice, and then maybe gradually transition, over a period of a couple of weeks, to you holding and petting the kitty while letting him chew the toothbrush, which becomes you brushing his teeth.
I'm not experienced at this -- I need to start with foster cat Jonathan -- but I am experienced with him reacting primarily to restraint over the actual treatment for e.g. nail trims and giving medication. With his weekly B-12 injection, I _always_ show him the syringe beforehand, and he is very calm during the dosing. I think knowing what's coming is much much better than being randomly surprised by various grabs/medical treatments.
posted by amtho at 4:47 PM on March 27 [3 favorites]
If you can, start out by playing with your cat with the toothbrush. He may start chewing on it, which would be nice, and then maybe gradually transition, over a period of a couple of weeks, to you holding and petting the kitty while letting him chew the toothbrush, which becomes you brushing his teeth.
I'm not experienced at this -- I need to start with foster cat Jonathan -- but I am experienced with him reacting primarily to restraint over the actual treatment for e.g. nail trims and giving medication. With his weekly B-12 injection, I _always_ show him the syringe beforehand, and he is very calm during the dosing. I think knowing what's coming is much much better than being randomly surprised by various grabs/medical treatments.
posted by amtho at 4:47 PM on March 27 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Our cats' vet recommends the HealthyMouth water additive, but I'm not convinced that it's not woo.
Brushing: we use a soft baby toothbrush + Virbac C.E.T poultry flavor; they like the taste of it, they never have liked the brushing itself but tolerate it.
None of this has worked particularly well on our two siblings: more extractions at this years' dental. Our third, from a different litter, has perfect teeth. Dental health in cats seems to be very much a genetic lottery.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 6:39 PM on March 27 [1 favorite]
Brushing: we use a soft baby toothbrush + Virbac C.E.T poultry flavor; they like the taste of it, they never have liked the brushing itself but tolerate it.
None of this has worked particularly well on our two siblings: more extractions at this years' dental. Our third, from a different litter, has perfect teeth. Dental health in cats seems to be very much a genetic lottery.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 6:39 PM on March 27 [1 favorite]
N-thing the genetic lottery, just like in people.
One of my cats needed a bunch of teeth removed at age 7 - we had never been able to perform any kind of dental care ourselves for her before then nor after the extractions because CLAWS. The teeth that didn’t get extracted at age 7 stayed with her and did just fine the rest of her life with no care from us. The only realistic thing I’ve ever been recommended to do by vets is to offer tartar control treats.
posted by Tandem Affinity at 11:23 PM on March 27 [2 favorites]
One of my cats needed a bunch of teeth removed at age 7 - we had never been able to perform any kind of dental care ourselves for her before then nor after the extractions because CLAWS. The teeth that didn’t get extracted at age 7 stayed with her and did just fine the rest of her life with no care from us. The only realistic thing I’ve ever been recommended to do by vets is to offer tartar control treats.
posted by Tandem Affinity at 11:23 PM on March 27 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Try these cat toys with a mesh material that helps cats sort of brush their own teeth. Other similar toys exist too. Recommended by my vet. Our cat doesn’t play with them in front of us but he definitely destroys the mesh over the course of a month and they are in different places every morning. He absolutely will not let us touch his teeth and gums, despite being incredibly tolerant of everything else, so we’ve never been able to brush his teeth at all. It’s all about the gentle abrasion and not so much a particular toothpaste or medication. And yeah, it’s also genetic. Don’t worry though, toothless indoor cats are able to live long comfortable happy lives, just with more blepping.
posted by Mizu at 11:45 PM on March 27 [2 favorites]
posted by Mizu at 11:45 PM on March 27 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I use tropiclean water additive for my dog. (I also brush his teeth.) They have a water additive for cats as well.
I would also recommend checking out the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) website. They have lists of products that have been approved (and designate whether they help with plaque, tartar, or both). Although the one toothpate they recommend (petsmile), both my dog and cat absolutely hated so I use the Viribac poultry flavor toothpaste.
But also, when getting them used to teethbrushing, try using a little bit of liquid from a can of tuna or something super appealing and mix it in with a bit of the toothpaste, and then let them lick it off your finger, then try using a finger brush and let them lick from that. Then use just your finger with a little bit of toothpaste to gently touch one tooth, etc. Gently build up to actual brushing.
Good luck. My dog lets me brush his teeth b/c I started when he was a 10 week old puppy. My cat who I adopted at 3 years old has never let me brush his teeth.
But genetics definitely play a role. My cat needed teeth removed for the first time at 11 years old. Despite no brushing.
posted by litera scripta manet at 5:36 AM on March 28 [1 favorite]
I would also recommend checking out the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) website. They have lists of products that have been approved (and designate whether they help with plaque, tartar, or both). Although the one toothpate they recommend (petsmile), both my dog and cat absolutely hated so I use the Viribac poultry flavor toothpaste.
But also, when getting them used to teethbrushing, try using a little bit of liquid from a can of tuna or something super appealing and mix it in with a bit of the toothpaste, and then let them lick it off your finger, then try using a finger brush and let them lick from that. Then use just your finger with a little bit of toothpaste to gently touch one tooth, etc. Gently build up to actual brushing.
Good luck. My dog lets me brush his teeth b/c I started when he was a 10 week old puppy. My cat who I adopted at 3 years old has never let me brush his teeth.
But genetics definitely play a role. My cat needed teeth removed for the first time at 11 years old. Despite no brushing.
posted by litera scripta manet at 5:36 AM on March 28 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I bought this oral care cat food, and we sprinkle a few kibbles (like four or five) on top of their wet food at each meal.
Another vote for this method. We've been mixing in Science Diet oral care kibbles in with other cat food for years for 3 cats and the vets have remarked more than once that their teeth look great.
posted by msbrauer at 9:16 AM on March 28
Another vote for this method. We've been mixing in Science Diet oral care kibbles in with other cat food for years for 3 cats and the vets have remarked more than once that their teeth look great.
posted by msbrauer at 9:16 AM on March 28
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posted by egeanin at 3:40 PM on March 27