Why would you think cats don't need their teeth brushed?

Some people think treats clean the teeth. Do treats clean your teeth? I highly doubt it. Our vet says to brush their teeth and use the pet toothbrushes and pet toothpaste and it'll save on future vet bills with decayed cat teeth. We had a dog with bad teeth and nothing is worse than that rotten pet mouth licky kiss.

Why would you think cats don't need their teeth brushed?
At our clinic, I do anywhere from 4-8 dental cleanings on cats each week. That's just me! Our other two technicians probably do the same number! These cleanings need to be done under general anesthesia and probably half the time, we end up pulling one or more teeth. Though anesthesia nowadays is very safe, there is still an inherent risk in any anesthetic procedure. Extending time between professional dental cleanings is not only better for the cat's teeth, but her overall health (and the owner's pocket book!) :-)





When I discharge a kitty after a dental cleaning, the first thing I always recommend is brushing the teeth. Kitties tend to be less cooperative about this than dogs, but for many, it can be done. We recommend brushing 2-3 times a week. The only time I would suggest NOT brushing, would be in cases where the owner/pet relationship suffers because of it. If kitty runs under the bed every time you approach her, it is just not worth it.





Another option for cats who won't tolerate brushing is a new product called OraVet. It is a barrier sealant that helps prevent plaque from sticking to the teeth. It only needs to be applied weekly. See http://www.oravet.us.merial.com/ I use it on my own kitties.





There are also diets on the market designed specifically to prevent tartar build-up on kitty teeth. A few examples are Hill's Prescription t/d and Science Diet Oral Care, Purina DH and Royal Canin Dental DD. My own kitties eat t/d and love it.





Most hard food on the market does nothing to maintain dental health in a cat. It is a myth that hard food (except those listed above) is better for the teeth than soft food. Most hard food crumbles into tiny pieces as soon as kitty bites into it. The only part of the tooth being scrubbed is the very tip! Adding soft food to your cat's diet will add much needed moisture. Kitties simply do not drink enough to make up for the lack of water in their diets if they are only fed hard food. In addition to t/d, my kitties split a can of Science Diet Adult canned each night.





Just an interesting fyi - kitties very rarely get cavities like humans and dogs. They have their own special brand of dental disease called an oral resorptive lesion (ORL or FORL). No one knows for sure what causes them, but they are thought to be immune-related. The body breaks down the tooth and can cause painful lesions. These are extremely common! Make sure your vet is doing a thorough dental exam each time kitty visits the clinic so these can be caught early.
Reply:Cats and Dogs do require brushing from time to time. I think that there is some confusion in the general public about this issue.





Cats and Dogs can benefit from occasional brushings, but overall the saliva of both cats and dogs does an excellent job of keeping the animals teeth healthy.





Occasional biscuits that are designed to clean the tarter from the animals teeth and generally are good for the animal.
Reply:I think people just get lazy because cats %26amp; dogs are a pain to hold while you brush their teeth. But I definitely agree with you, although their teeth take longer to rot than human teeth, they will eventually rot. %26amp; its gross.
Reply:Cats do need their teeth brushed, as they can build up tartar and develop gum disease just like humans. In severe cases, teeth may have to be removed, which could be detrimental to a cat's being able to eat regular cat food, or defend itself outdoors. We take our cat into the vet to have his teeth cleaned about twice a year--his "kitty" insurance covers it!
Reply:both cats and dogs to require that you brush their teeth or get them cleaned or else when they get older their teeth will start to fall out
Reply:Cats don't need their teeth brushed. Of course your vet would say so - look how much more you have contributed to the economy by buying extra cat stuff like the brushes and paste! Dogs are a different story entirely....

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