2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21
Our pets need the same hygiene products as humans. And the teeth of cats and dogs also require care. How to brush a cat's teeth and how, from what age to accustom an animal to this procedure - we will talk about this in this article.
What is a tiger, what is a kitten
Our domestic cats are a species of the cat family. And all representatives of this species are real predators and actively hunt their prey. Accordingly, the structure of their teeth has clear features of adaptability precisely to this method of nutrition. The question of why and how to brush a cat's teeth arises due to the fact that our pets often eat food that is not natural at all. And this weakens their natural mechanisms for cleaning teeth from tartar and bacteria in the oral cavity.
Domestic cat teeth
Like humans, cats have milk teeth, which are replaced by permanent teeth at the age of three months.
A kitten's milk teeth begin to grow from two weeks of age. Atbabies 12 incisors, 4 canines and 14 premolars located on the upper and lower jaws. The growth of milk teeth in kittens is not accompanied by any unpleasant moments.
Loss of milk teeth and growth of molars in cats often goes unnoticed by the owner. A 9-10 month old cat has 30 teeth:
- The front teeth are incisors. There are 6 on each jaw.
- Elongated fangs - 2 on each jaw.
- Distant teeth are premolars. There are 8 on the upper jaw and 6 on the lower jaw.
- At the very end are the molars. There are 2 on each jaw. These are the so-called wisdom teeth and may not grow in all cats.
These are the teeth of a cat and after a complete change of dairy to indigenous, all pets are vaccinated against rabies. A vaccine administered before the end of their shift can lead to underdevelopment of the dental bulbs and partial loss of the cat's teeth. Therefore, no vaccinations are given during this period, especially against rabies!
How often?
It is clear that there is no physiological need to brush milk teeth for a kitten. But it is from childhood that it is logical to start accustoming a pet to this procedure. And you can start with a simple massage of the gums, gradually accustoming the pet to the brush and paste.
During eating, cats, just like humans, accumulate food debris on and between their teeth. Over time, tartar (mineralized plaque) forms on them, while in cats it is located on the outside of the teeth. Its growth leads to damage to the gums, stomatitis and periodontal disease.
In naturalIn their habitat, felines get rid of tartar by eating bones, but our pets are more likely to eat soft and liquid foods. Thus, domestic cats also need to help solve problems with tartar. Cleaning a cat's teeth from tartar (how and with what, we will tell below) is not difficult, but you can do it no more than 2 times a week.
Remember: Eight out of ten pet cats over the age of 3 have dental problems. The growth of tartar injures the gums, leads to their inflammation and bleeding. And bacteria can enter the bloodstream and lead to serious damage to the entire body of the animal.
Symptoms when you can not pull
When certain symptoms appear, in order to avoid major damage and even extraction of teeth in cats, it is imperative to brush your pet's teeth. These symptoms include:
- Bad smell between meals from the cat's mouth.
- Supragingival or subgingival hard formations on the teeth. They are usually yellowish brown.
- Red and inflamed gums, sometimes bleeding.
- Irritability of an animal when eating. A plaintive meow and constant cheek rubbing.
- A tumor like a flux on the gum of an animal. In this case, the veterinarian should be contacted urgently.
Cats are proud creatures and often don't show at all that they have dental problems. This is how the process can go quite far, and gingivitis will lead to the fact that the cat will begin to chew on only oneside and lose weight. That is why older cats should be regularly taken to the veterinarian for examination, which will allow timely identification of the problem and start timely treatment.
Toothbrush and paste
Rule number one - cheek and pasta selection. The veterinary industry offers special toothbrushes for cats, even massaging and bristly fingertip brushes (but be careful - a cat may bite quite painfully unintentionally). In extreme cases, a children's toothbrush with soft bristles that won't hurt the animal's gums is also suitable. A finger wrapped in a soft cloth can also be used.
Special pastas with meat or fish flavors are also sold in pet shops. Cats do not rinse their mouths, so they swallow the rest of the paste. And that is why human pastes that contain fluoride are not suitable for them (it can lead to poisoning of the animal), and their minty taste will only scare the animal away.
Instead of pasta at home, you can brush your cat's teeth using soda and red wine. First, rub your teeth with wine, and then with soda gruel. Wine vinegar and soda react and successfully remove tartar. Hydrogen peroxide can be used instead of wine.
Important: if you have several cats, then everyone should have their own toothbrush. That's exactly the same as people.
Liquid cat paste
Veterinary stores also offer a product such as liquid toothpaste. If your pet does not agree tomechanical cleaning, it is better not to injure him and not spoil your nerves. Liquid paste simply dissolves in ordinary water, and the cat drinks such water.
Together with such a paste, it is recommended to include solid food in the diet of the animal. Or let the cat gnaw on the bone with the rest of the meat.
Special vitamin sticks for brushing your teeth are also on sale. This is an easy way, but also the least effective. Cats quickly lose interest in them, and teeth still require more thorough care.
Preparing and conducting the procedure
It doesn't matter how your cat will sit in your arms, the main thing is the result. Do not immediately start taking action - let the cat taste the paste and get used to the brush.
The whole process of brushing your teeth should take no more than a minute. Teeth are brushed one at a time with gentle pressure at an angle of 45 degrees. Start with the front incisors and gradually increase the number of teeth, taking the edge of the gum, but not the gum itself. If you started to accustom a kitten to this procedure, then an adult cat may well even enjoy this procedure.
After brushing your cat's teeth at home, you can wipe them with a swab dipped in warm water.
A few general recommendations
The owner's biggest mistake in this matter is haste. Trying to clean the cat's teeth the first time usually ends with scratched and bitten hands and the cat's persistent aversion to the procedure. Accustom the cat to brushing his teeth gradually, without injuring the animal, and it will not be for him.the most terrible torture.
Reward your pet after the procedure. The cat must learn a lesson: a successful brushing will be followed by a treat. During the procedure, talk to the animal, use affectionate intonations and strokes.
It's very good to do "operation" at the same time. This will teach the pet to the obligation and the need for brushing.
Teeth cleaning in clinic
A specialist in the clinic performs ultrasonic cleaning of the cat's teeth as a last resort in case of neglected and inconvenient tartar for the animal. This procedure is painless for the animal and is performed without anesthesia. Before you brush your cat's teeth in the clinic, you need to prepare for the procedure.
For young cats, this preparation includes fasting for 1-2 days. For weakened and old animals, it is advisable to conduct a general examination and pass clinical tests.
The procedure usually includes several stages: mechanical cleaning, removal of stones by ultrasound, grinding and polishing of the cat's teeth. In general, everything is like people.
However, the whole procedure will be useless if, after such a cleaning of the teeth, they are not maintained at home.
Prevention of dental diseases
Now we know how to brush a cat's teeth. But in order to keep them he althy and ensure good he alth for your pet, you must follow some rules. For example:
- Continue brushing your cat's teeth at home. How and what, we detailexplained.
- Get your cat a proper and balanced diet. The diet of the animal should include solid food, and even better - a special food to prevent the formation of tartar and gum disease.
Remember that brushing your cat's teeth won't harm you, but will save your pet from many intestinal diseases caused by bacteria and poorly chewed food boluses.
Recommended:
How to wash a sofa from cat urine: ways and means. Dry cleaning of the sofa at home
Even a very nicely furnished apartment can feel uncomfortable because of an unpleasant smell, such as cat urine. Especially strongly it eats into upholstered furniture, which is able to perfectly absorb moisture. Removing the smell of cat urine from the sofa is not an easy task, but it must be mastered. There are many methods that will come to the rescue in this difficult matter
Create your housekeeping rules: zoning your apartment for efficient cleaning. Economical management of the family budget
Every woman thinks every day about the need to optimize housekeeping. But not everyone gets to choose the optimal cleaning and cooking scheme the first time, especially when a small child appears. The first piece of advice given in such cases is to formulate your own housekeeping rules. How to do it, read below
How to brush your dog's teeth at home? Dog teeth cleaning kit
Our four-legged pets suffer from dental diseases, just like people. As a result of malnutrition, lack of regular veterinary examinations and a sedentary lifestyle, a dog can develop tartar and become infected with microbes and bacteria that affect the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. All this gives the pet a certain discomfort. Therefore, the owner must definitely monitor the oral hygiene of his pet
Professional cleaning products: list, rating of the best, manufacturer, product quality and safety of use
The main dilemma that arises when cleaning is what means to choose for it. When buying, it is worth considering many factors: safety, price, manufacturer. To make it easier for you to navigate this variety of tools, the article provides a list of the best. Consideration should be given to both the manufacturer and safety
How and what to feed your dog - your pet's he alth
In order not to spend money later on treating your pet and before taking the animal into the house, you need to study well the question of how to feed the dog. Because proper nutrition is the key to your pet's he alth
