As a pet parent, understanding oral health problems in felines and how to prevent them can help you be more aware of cat dentistry in general.
Cats tend not to receive the same level of veterinary attention as dogs due to their incredible ability to hide health problems from their owners. However, feline dental care is no exception. Cat dentistry is critical, and Alexander Animal Hospital is happy to help you understand how to improve in the feline dental care department.
Common Oral Health Problems in Cats
As a pet parent, understanding oral health problems in felines and how to prevent them can help you be more aware of cat dentistry in general. They include:
- Gingivostomatitis: Some cats experience a reaction to the plaque on their teeth, leading to painful intraoral swelling. Although some cases are mild, the severe cases can provoke extreme discomfort.
- Periodontal disease: When plaque and tartar gather on the teeth, it can collect bacteria and cause inflammation, destroying the periodontal ligament holding the tooth in place.
- Feline oral resorptive lesions: FORLs refer to cavity-like holes in the tooth near the gumline. Even though the causes are unknown, this abnormal resorption of the tooth may be painful.
Moreover, many feline oral health troubles can be challenging to inspect in an awake patient without X-rays. Therefore, anesthetized dental exams must be part of any good wellness care plan.
Cat Dental Hygiene
Despite our best efforts, most pets over age three have some dental disease. If left untreated, this can result in severe consequences. Cats suffering from dental problems might experience:
- Bad breath
- Oral pain
- Reluctance to allow their mouth to be examined
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Poor grooming habits
- Weight loss
- Picky appetite
However, these signs are not noted until things become terrible. This makes the importance of cat dentistry paramount and offers our team the chance to notice trouble and intervene when it becomes severe.
Home Dental Care Tips
While the most essential piece of excellent cat dentistry lies in allowing routine anesthetized exams and cleanings, you can complete dental care at home, too:
- Brushing your cat’s teeth if they allow
- Use products like food, treats, and water additives to support good dental health
- Observe your cat’s habits and physical traits
- Maintain your cat’s yearly wellness exam to stay on top of dental health
While home oral care products can be beneficial to cats, they still need to visit the dentist from time to time. So, schedule an appointment for your feline by calling us at410-777-8678!
Support Your Pet’s Wellness at Alexander Animal Hospital
Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.
We understand you have a choice when deciding on the care for your pets, and we strive to provide you with unparalleled services including wellness exams, vaccines, lost pet microchip ID, dental care, surgical services, digital radiography, and in-hospital laboratory services and diagnostics. Other highlights of Alexander Animal Hospital are the separate cat and dog waiting and exam rooms, as well as after-hours on-call emergency services.
Please take a look around our website and then give us a call at 410-777-8678 to set up an appointment. We’re social! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for all the latest updates!