Did you know that periodontal disease is one of the most common and overlooked disease in cats? It is caused by bacteria in dental plaque that’s built up on the teeth and gums. We brush, floss and rinse our own teeth every day, on the other hand, cats never brush their tiny cat teeth and certainly do not floss or rinse. As pet parents, we need to step up our cat dental care plan.

Cat nutrition can play a significant role in maintaining optimal dental health. Choosing between wet and dry food, or a combination of both, as well as the right kibble size makes a substantial difference for a pet’s overall dental health. Larger dry kibble pieces are more effective at reducing dental tartar buildup on your cat’s teeth. Regularly giving your cat dental chews also serves as a way to proactively prevent disease caused by poor dental hygiene.

Dental diets are formulated for reducing the amount of plaque and tartar that accumulates on the teeth, and in some cases, may even prevent serious oral diseases from occurring. The larger kibble is composed of fibers that actually scrub the tooth’s surface to reduce plaque. Ask your veterinarian if a prescription dental diet is appropriate for your pet. We recommend trying Hill's Science Diet Adult Oral Care.

One dental treat per day will keep your cat’s teeth stimulated and blood flowing as it scrubs away tartar and prevents it from building up. Try the Greenies Chicken Dental Cat Treat.

Choose treats that are low in sugar, as sugar may worsen or increase the chance of periodontal disease. Aside from diet, here are some additional recommendations to keep your cat’s teeth and periodontal health at their best. Check out Feline Natural Healthy Bites.

We need to start brushing our pets’ teeth. Start when your cat is a kitten, teaching them how to tolerate, and even enjoy, getting their teeth cleaned. If you have an adult cat, although it’s more challenging, so use lots of positive reinforcement.

The key is to use a soft-bristle toothbrush and pet-formulated toothpaste. It is important to make sure that the toothpaste is specifically made for and is safe for pets, as they will swallow it. Follow up with a proper pet-safe rinse to finish the cleaning. Brush daily, but if you can do it twice weekly, you are way ahead of the game when it comes to cat dental care. Give the CET Finger Brush & Paste a go.

A cat teeth cleaning and examination should be scheduled annually, or biannually, with your veterinarian to clean your cat’s teeth in places that you cannot reach with a toothbrush, like under the gumlines. Regular brushing, though imperative, is not a substitute for a dental cleaning and oral exam with an ultrasonic scaler and polisher.

Keeping your cat healthy and helping them live a long life is top priority. Cat dental care should be part of any cat owner’s daily routine because, unfortunately, poor dental health is the most overlooked cause of disease.

If you need help finding the right dental solution for your cat, feel free to contact the friendly pet expert team on 0800 200 240.