Complete Care for Your Aging Cat - Amy Shojai [95]
“Sixty to 80 percent of cats do much better if we remove all their teeth,” says Dr. Gengler. The pain is removed, and because cats don’t tend to chew food much anyway, they typically do very well. “They’re pretty amazing. They kind of gum it down and swallow it. A lot of times they don’t even have to have a special diet.”
Whenever possible, Dr. Holmstrom tries to keep the canines (fang teeth) and carnassial teeth (big molars), which do most of the chewing. “The lower canine teeth act as a guide for the tongue and the upper ones keep the lip away from the gum tissue,” he says. Without these teeth, the cat may have trouble keeping his tongue in his mouth.
Bottom Line
Cost for professional dental care for cats varies, but the anesthetic, antibiotics, and basic cleaning combined usually starts at $80.
Prevention
Some cats have more problems with tartar than others. “There’s certainly a genetic predisposition with animals,” says Dr. Gengler. Young cats may get away with a yearly professional veterinary cleaning, but more frequent attention usually is required as the cat ages. “Once the animal loses its natural defense mechanism and pockets are formed and bone is lost, that is not regained. It doesn’t heal naturally,” says Dr. Gengler. “That animal is going to be a much higher maintenance animal.”
Brushing the cat’s teeth every day is the best possible answer. Starting when the pet is a baby is ideal, but you can begin brushing at any age. Start slowly, find a toothpaste flavor the cat likes, and use it like a treat, suggests Dr. Holmstrom. “Avoid human toothpaste. They often don’t like the flavor, and also there’s detergents in it that shouldn’t be swallowed,” he says. Cats can’t spit; the foam makes them mad, and can upset the stomach if swallowed.
Commercial cat toothpastes in seafood, poultry and malt flavors are safe for animals to swallow. These pastes may include the enzymes glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase, which have antimicrobial activity and aid in plaque control. Kitty toothbrushes are available, or choose a preschool-size human toothbrush with the softest bristles. Some cats more readily accept the finger toothbrushes that slip over your finger.
Put the paste on the brush, let them lick the brush three or four times a day without making any effort to brush the teeth for several weeks, until the pet’s coming to you to beg for treat time,” says Dr. Holmstrom. Gradually progress to handling the cat’s mouth until he’s more comfortable. Finally, he suggests putting a toy or a pencil in his mouth to prop it open, put your hand around his muzzle to hold him steady and keep the object in place, and then brush the teeth.
Age-Defying Tips
Proper dental care throughout his life provides a positive impact on his total health, improves quality of life as he ages, and may prolong longevity. In addition to brushing your cat’s teeth, a dental diet may help prevent dental disease.
Look for sodium hexametaphosphate (sodium HMP) listed in the food. This helps to prevent plaque from attaching to the tooth surface. More and more “regular” pet diets contain sodium HMP as a part of the formula. Some diets with dental claims include polyphosphate crystals to help prevent the mineralization of plaque into calculus.
Some diets have unique fibers that offer a scrubbing action to clean the tooth as the cat chews.
Look for the “Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance.” That means the product has passed a rigorous and objective review of effectiveness from representatives from the fields of veterinary dentistry and dental science along with representatives of the American Dental Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, and American Animal Hospital Association.
Although these diets can help with