Welcoming a new kitten into your home is a joyous occasion, but it also comes with the responsibility of ensuring their overall health, including their dental well-being. Dental disease is a prevalent issue in cats, with a staggering 90% developing problems at some point in their lives. Kittens, just like adult cats, are susceptible to gum disease, tartar and plaque buildup, bad breath, and even abscesses, which can lead to infection and tooth loss. This guide aims to empower you with the knowledge of proper dental care, diet, and treats to protect your kitten’s oral health from the very beginning.
Understanding Breed Predispositions
While dental disease can affect any cat, certain breeds are more predisposed due to their physical characteristics. Brachycephalic (smooshed-faced) breeds, such as Persians, Chinchillas, British, and Exotic Shorthairs, often have shortened muzzles. This can lead to abnormally positioned teeth, overcrowding, and misalignment because their jawbones may be too small to accommodate all their teeth properly. Being aware of these predispositions can help you be more vigilant about dental care for these breeds.
What a Healthy Kitten Mouth Looks Like
To effectively care for your kitten’s teeth, it’s crucial to know what a healthy oral environment entails. A kitten’s teeth should be clean, white, and free from chipping. Their gums should be a healthy pink color, without any sores, lesions, redness, swelling, or bleeding. Equally important is their breath; it should not have a foul odor. Persistent bad breath can signal an oral infection or even a more serious systemic disease, necessitating a veterinary check-up.
Establishing a Dental Care Routine
Proactive dental care is key to maintaining your cat’s oral and overall health. This involves a combination of regular home care and annual veterinary check-ups, including professional dental cleaning.
The Power of Brushing
Daily brushing is the most effective way to keep your kitten’s teeth and gums healthy. While adult cats can be resistant to this process, it’s ideal to introduce the habit early on. Start by gently rubbing your fingers on the outside of your kitten’s muzzle for about a week, offering positive praise and a treat. Gradually progress to rubbing their gums with your finger, continuing with praise and treats. You can make this more appealing by dipping your finger in the water from a can of tuna. Subsequently, introduce a finger brush or a cat-specific toothbrush, again associating it with positive reinforcement. Begin brushing without toothpaste, followed by a treat. Finally, introduce a pet-specific toothpaste, slowly brushing their teeth daily, starting with just a few teeth on one side, and always concluding with praise and a treat.
For kittens or cats that strongly resist brushing, specialized dental wipes can be a helpful alternative. Products like Maxi/Guard dental wipes, which can be purchased online, allow you to wrap a wipe around your finger and gently clean the teeth once daily. Establishing this routine before their morning meal and immediately following it with their food can serve as positive reinforcement.
Dental Diets and Treats
For kittens that remain resistant to brushing, a specialized dental diet can be beneficial once they reach adulthood (after one year of age). Diets like Hill’s t/d are specifically formulated to promote healthy dentition in adult cats.
Additionally, certain treats can contribute to reducing tartar buildup on your cat’s teeth. Look for treats approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). While not all effective products have VOHC approval, those that do have met stringent requirements for veterinary dental efficacy. Examples of such treats include Feline Greenies® Dental Treats and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Crunchy Bites Cat Treats. A comprehensive list of VOHC-approved products is available at www.vohc.org.
Addressing More Serious Dental Issues
It’s important to understand that much of the dental disease in cats occurs below the gum line. Many cats develop feline odontoclastic resorption lesions (FORL), which are painful conditions affecting the teeth. They can also develop stomatitis, a painful inflammatory gum disease. Regular at-home dental care, combined with annual professional dental cleaning performed under anesthesia, can help prevent or mitigate the pain and discomfort associated with these conditions by enabling early detection and intervention.
In conclusion, while dental disease is unfortunately common in cats, a proactive approach can make a significant difference. By incorporating routine at-home teeth brushing, considering specialized dental diets for adult cats, and ensuring annual professional dental cleanings with X-rays, you can help maintain your cat’s healthy teeth and prevent the onset of systemic disease and inflammation.
If you have any further questions or concerns regarding your kitten’s dental health, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team at Countryside Veterinary Hospital at (978) 256-9555.
