About my cat's teeth?

My cat really needs to get his teeth cleaned. I always try to brush them for him but he hates it and he tries to bite me and scratch me so I can't do a good job of it.


How much does it cost to have the vet clean them - but more importantly, do they give cats a general anesthetic before cleaning their teeth? Isn't that dangerous? Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing?

About my cat's teeth?
Cats who chew on raw meat chunks and bones have healthy teeth that do not need to be cleaned. So unless your cat has that diet professional dental cleanings may be necessary on an annual basis. Like humans, some cats have a genetic propensity to have poor teeth. I have one cat who has never required a dental cleaning (she is 13). My other cats need a cleaning every year or at least every other year. It is more important as the cat gets older.





Vets now use a gas anesthesia which is very short acting - when the mask is removed the cat is out of anesthesia very quickly so it is not dangerous. All vets will do a blood panel to insure that the cat's kidneys are in good shape and they can undergo anesthesia induction. My 22 year old cat had her teeth cleaned last summer and she was given fluids early in the morning before the procedure which was done around noon and then fluids after the procedure. She did perfectly fine.
Reply:i once had a cat who had terrible plaque. what i did was but the treats that clean their teeth. it worked wonders. i reccomend the nutrience brand with eucalyptus. cleans their teeth, freshens their breath, kills any and all plaque bacteria over time and best of all cats love it!!
Reply:It can cost a couple hundred dollars to get a cats teeth cleaned. Yes, the vet must put the cat out and yes there are risks with this, however they are trained professionals who monitor the cats heart rate to be sure they are not giving too much. Are you brushing your cats teeth with a toothbrush specifically made for cats? Human toothbrushes are typically too big. Also NEVER use human toothpaste. First, the fluoride can make the cat very ill and second the cats detest the foaming action. It is best to try to get the cat used to you messing with his or her teeth by running your finger over his or her teeth and rewarding the cat when he lets you. Work you way up to the toothbrush. Good luck!
Reply:No, it's BETTER for them!





Do NOT trust places that say they can clean teeth without anesthesia. It has actually killed some animals.





DO take your cat to your vet. Anesthesia, while always a bit of a risk, is much more refined now than even 20 years ago. My 17-year old cat with kidney problems underwent anesthesia for her teeth cleaning with no problem at all! She sailed right through it. You might ask them to hydrate him with IV fluids both before and after if your cat has kidney problems. Your vet can advise you.





And DO try to take your cat not just to a vet, but to a vet that specializes in dentistry and is board-certified. You may actually save money that way. I took my other cat in for a routine teeth cleaning. While cleaning, they discovered he had a broken tooth with two exposed roots - ouch! Since the vet doing the cleaning was already a dental specialist, he took care of it right then and there. If I had taken my cat to a regular vet, I would have received a referral to the specialist for the problem, and had to pay for another trip and dental job, and my cat would have had to go under anesthesia twice. So you see if your cat has not been through a teeth cleaning recently, it would be better if you took him to a dental vet.





Cost varies with area (in the southern CA area it can be about $200-$300). I use www.carecredit.com The vet gets paid, my cat gets the care needed, and I can make monthly payments.





Please don't wait. Too many animals have serious health problems because the bacteria from their uncleaned teeth circulates through their system and can actually get into the heart valves.
Reply:Clean your cat's teeth once as directed, and then treat this with the cat treats sold to prevent the plaque and build=up on their teeth.


Watch the things they eat, give plenty of healthy toys, and toys to pounce and chew.


The veterinarian says if you don't do this, and do this regularly it can get expensive. They will normally show you how to clean your cat's teeth once.


If they haven't, look it up on the internet, and print it. Always brush away from the gums, and be careful near the gums, although this has to be cleaned. Use a soft (disposable) cloth if you have to near the gum area. Your cat may need an antibiotic in the beginning, or special applications of medicine, to kill germs and plaque. Wrap your cat in a large towel, so it doesn't claw at you. The cat may squirm, although you will get the job done.
Reply:The diet we feed our pets is not what they origingated with in the wild. As we have over centuries domesticated animals we have left them more vunerable to disease in certain ways. You SHOULD try to keep your cat's teeth clean if you want him to live a long and healthy life. There are some things you can buy at the pet store that will help. If that doesn't help then have the vet do the cleaning.
Reply:you dont have to clean pet teeth.


remember,


all pets originated wild at one point.


it wont hurt his teeth to be dirty