Alternatives to brushing cat's teeth?
June 19, 2012 9:50 PM Subscribe
What do we really need to do about our cat's teeth?
We have two cats, Bergamot and Maggie, both four years old. Recently we noticed that Bergamot's gums were red. We took him to the vet, and he ended up getting a proper scaling done. The vet said that now we have to brush his teeth every day.
That was two months ago. Now his gums look fine except over one tooth, which is a bit pink. We're wondering what we actually have to do: Are there alternative treatments to brushing every day? The vet gave us samples of a 'dental kibble' that's supposed to clean his teeth, but he already gets two servings of kibble a day, so it's not like his teeth aren't getting a workout from something dry and crunchy (we're also feeding a high animal protein kibble, as recommended here, and aren't anxious to change). We've also seen references to products that you add to food that clean teeth enzymatically--do these work?
Mainly we're not looking forward to the hassle of a daily brushing, and we doubt Berg will look forward to it either. We're hoping we have some other options.
We have two cats, Bergamot and Maggie, both four years old. Recently we noticed that Bergamot's gums were red. We took him to the vet, and he ended up getting a proper scaling done. The vet said that now we have to brush his teeth every day.
That was two months ago. Now his gums look fine except over one tooth, which is a bit pink. We're wondering what we actually have to do: Are there alternative treatments to brushing every day? The vet gave us samples of a 'dental kibble' that's supposed to clean his teeth, but he already gets two servings of kibble a day, so it's not like his teeth aren't getting a workout from something dry and crunchy (we're also feeding a high animal protein kibble, as recommended here, and aren't anxious to change). We've also seen references to products that you add to food that clean teeth enzymatically--do these work?
Mainly we're not looking forward to the hassle of a daily brushing, and we doubt Berg will look forward to it either. We're hoping we have some other options.
I have limited insight into your problem, but here is what has worked for me. My cat is still fairly young and I've never had tooth brushing presented as an option.
My cat's teeth were getting very plaquey and I switched to a dental kibble (recommended by trusted vet). This has kept all but one tooth plaque free for a couple of years now (he must not chew it with the rear left tooth). He was eating kibble before but it wasn't keeping his teeth clean. Raw bones to chew are often recommended for teeth cleaning but my cat insists on spreading these prizes all through the carpeted areas of my house, so I got a bit over it.
Try mixing tuna water with the paste?
posted by Trivia Newton John at 12:34 AM on June 20, 2012
My cat's teeth were getting very plaquey and I switched to a dental kibble (recommended by trusted vet). This has kept all but one tooth plaque free for a couple of years now (he must not chew it with the rear left tooth). He was eating kibble before but it wasn't keeping his teeth clean. Raw bones to chew are often recommended for teeth cleaning but my cat insists on spreading these prizes all through the carpeted areas of my house, so I got a bit over it.
Try mixing tuna water with the paste?
posted by Trivia Newton John at 12:34 AM on June 20, 2012
At our vet's suggestion, we mix some dental kibble in with their regular kibble.
posted by lawhound at 5:11 AM on June 20, 2012
posted by lawhound at 5:11 AM on June 20, 2012
Dental kibble is not the same as regular kibble. Regular kibble doesn't help the teeth at all (and is less ideal than canned food for cats). But yes, you need to brush if you can. Set a reasonable goal rather than "every day" if every day isn't feasible, but at least try to brush a few times a week. Brushing is the best option for dental health. There are rinses and chews which can help, but if you can brush, you should brush.
posted by biscotti at 5:24 AM on June 20, 2012
posted by biscotti at 5:24 AM on June 20, 2012
We brush our cats' teeth a few times per month due to bad breath. The first tine was a bit of a struggle, but now they love their malt toothpaste. This has, unfortunately, lead to increased incidents of the cats trying to drink our beers. YMMV.
posted by betty botter at 5:52 AM on June 20, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by betty botter at 5:52 AM on June 20, 2012 [5 favorites]
We slowly worked up to the full toothbrushing routine as bearwife describes, with lots of cuddles and treats after every interaction. Our cat doesn't LOVE this process, but she doesn't run away when she sees the toothbrush coming, holds still through the full toothbrushing routine while swishing her tail nervously, and then runs over to the Drawer of Magical Treats to get her reward. It's not too bad.
posted by tchemgrrl at 7:09 AM on June 20, 2012
posted by tchemgrrl at 7:09 AM on June 20, 2012
Chicken necks. Buy a bunch of raw chicken necks. Bash the heck out of them with a meat mallet to break up the small bones, give them to the cats to chew, it takes the cats lots of work to chew through all the gristle and such and it cleans their teeth and gums nicely. Ask a butcher for the necks they are super cheap, they sell them in pet food shops in Australia for just this purpose.
Will take them a while to get the idea so you can start with half necks, also some cats tummys need a time or 2 to get used to something other than dry food if that's all they have ever eaten.
This was recommended to me by a vet, though it was in Australia and I know they have whole other views on raw food and pets in the US but it worked for us with a very old cat who was 17 at the time and half wild so we couldn't clean his teeth and he was too old for anesthetic. One a couple of times a week and their teeth will be clean in no time.
posted by wwax at 1:42 PM on June 21, 2012
Will take them a while to get the idea so you can start with half necks, also some cats tummys need a time or 2 to get used to something other than dry food if that's all they have ever eaten.
This was recommended to me by a vet, though it was in Australia and I know they have whole other views on raw food and pets in the US but it worked for us with a very old cat who was 17 at the time and half wild so we couldn't clean his teeth and he was too old for anesthetic. One a couple of times a week and their teeth will be clean in no time.
posted by wwax at 1:42 PM on June 21, 2012
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Also, I favor those soft rubber brush things that fit over your finger, not the kitty toothbrushes.
It is totally worth the effort. Infected gums are terribly painful. And having kitty teeth pulled, sometimes the unavoidable outcome of gum problems, makes it much harder for your car to eat, costs plenty, and always poses some risk as your cat has to be anesthetized.
posted by bearwife at 12:28 AM on June 20, 2012 [2 favorites]