Comments on: The Importance of Good Dental Health for Your Pets http://consciouscat.net/2009/11/02/the-importance-of-good-dental-health-for-your-pets/ conscious living, health and happiness for cats and their humans Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:08:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ingrid http://consciouscat.net/2009/11/02/the-importance-of-good-dental-health-for-your-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-7268 Ingrid Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:55:23 +0000 http://consciouscat.net/?p=1667#comment-7268 Esme, I'm a little concerned that your vet is not recommeding a dental cleaning. I've always been taught that if there's gingivitis and even slight redness, a cleaning is indicated. It's always better to treat gingivities at the very early stages. You might want to think about having your kitty checked again in three to six months rather than waiting an entire year. Other than brushing, which, for most cat parents isn't realistic, there are a few other things you can do: - Eliminate dry food. Contrary to what most people believe (and unfortunately, contrary to what a lot of vets recommend), dry food is bad for teeth. The residue from the dry food sticks to the teeth and causes more plaque than canned food does. I recommend a canned, grain-free diet. - You can add Oxyfresh mouthrinse to their drinking water. I use it for Amber and Allegra, and I've also seen great success with cats in my years in veterinary clinics. - This last one is a bit of leap for most people, and I haven't done it with my own, either, but letting cats chew on some raw bones can really help scrape the teeth clean. You'll need to do your research as to which bones are safe to use, and this should only done under your supervision. If you haven't had a chance to listen to the recording of our Ask the Vet seminar, you might want to do so - there's a great segment on dental health, Dr. Crist goes into great detail about why it's so important and also about prevention. I hope these help. Let me know if you have any questions. Esme, I’m a little concerned that your vet is not recommeding a dental cleaning. I’ve always been taught that if there’s gingivitis and even slight redness, a cleaning is indicated. It’s always better to treat gingivities at the very early stages. You might want to think about having your kitty checked again in three to six months rather than waiting an entire year.

Other than brushing, which, for most cat parents isn’t realistic, there are a few other things you can do:

- Eliminate dry food. Contrary to what most people believe (and unfortunately, contrary to what a lot of vets recommend), dry food is bad for teeth. The residue from the dry food sticks to the teeth and causes more plaque than canned food does. I recommend a canned, grain-free diet.

- You can add Oxyfresh mouthrinse to their drinking water. I use it for Amber and Allegra, and I’ve also seen great success with cats in my years in veterinary clinics.

- This last one is a bit of leap for most people, and I haven’t done it with my own, either, but letting cats chew on some raw bones can really help scrape the teeth clean. You’ll need to do your research as to which bones are safe to use, and this should only done under your supervision.

If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the recording of our Ask the Vet seminar, you might want to do so – there’s a great segment on dental health, Dr. Crist goes into great detail about why it’s so important and also about prevention.

I hope these help. Let me know if you have any questions.

]]> By: Esme http://consciouscat.net/2009/11/02/the-importance-of-good-dental-health-for-your-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-7265 Esme Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:51:15 +0000 http://consciouscat.net/?p=1667#comment-7265 Ingrid-my kittie that is about 18 months-has gingivitis-I was at the vet-only one tooth as slight redness-any suggestions other than brushing? The vet did not suggest a dental cleaning. Ingrid-my kittie that is about 18 months-has gingivitis-I was at the vet-only one tooth as slight redness-any suggestions other than brushing? The vet did not suggest a dental cleaning.

]]> By: How to Care for Your Older Cat | The Conscious Cat http://consciouscat.net/2009/11/02/the-importance-of-good-dental-health-for-your-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-7244 How to Care for Your Older Cat | The Conscious Cat Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:05:35 +0000 http://consciouscat.net/?p=1667#comment-7244 [...] vet exams should include a thorough examination of your cat’s teeth and mouth.  Good dental health is one of the most important health issues for cats, especially as they get older.  Dental disease [...] [...] vet exams should include a thorough examination of your cat’s teeth and mouth.  Good dental health is one of the most important health issues for cats, especially as they get older.  Dental disease [...]

]]> By: Amber's Mewsings | The Conscious Cat http://consciouscat.net/2009/11/02/the-importance-of-good-dental-health-for-your-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-3974 Amber's Mewsings | The Conscious Cat Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:44:15 +0000 http://consciouscat.net/?p=1667#comment-3974 [...] know how important it is to keep my teeth nice and clean, but I sure am glad that this is over with for hopefully at least another six months.  And in all [...] [...] know how important it is to keep my teeth nice and clean, but I sure am glad that this is over with for hopefully at least another six months.  And in all [...]

]]> By: Amber's Mewsings | The Conscious Cat http://consciouscat.net/2009/11/02/the-importance-of-good-dental-health-for-your-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-3581 Amber's Mewsings | The Conscious Cat Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:21:10 +0000 http://consciouscat.net/?p=1667#comment-3581 [...] me while I wake up, and she takes me home as soon as she can.  Mom has explained to me before how important it is that we keep my teeth and gums healthy, and I understand it – but I don’t have to like [...] [...] me while I wake up, and she takes me home as soon as she can.  Mom has explained to me before how important it is that we keep my teeth and gums healthy, and I understand it – but I don’t have to like [...]

]]> By: Ingrid http://consciouscat.net/2009/11/02/the-importance-of-good-dental-health-for-your-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-2893 Ingrid Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:55:33 +0000 http://consciouscat.net/?p=1667#comment-2893 You're welcome, Elizabeth. Layla, anesthesia can be tailored to be safe for elderly cats. A comprehensive pre-anesthetic work up, including bloodwork and urinalysis, will give the attending veterinarian the information they need to adjust their anesthetic protocol as needed. That's not to say that anesthesia doesn't carry risk - but it really comes down to weighing the potentially far greater risk of untreated dental disease against the mostly preventable risk of anesthesia. Amber is one of those cats who has to have her teeth cleaned at least once a year, and I hate putting her through it each and every time. But I also know that if I don't, I'm putting her overall future health at risk. You’re welcome, Elizabeth.

Layla, anesthesia can be tailored to be safe for elderly cats. A comprehensive pre-anesthetic work up, including bloodwork and urinalysis, will give the attending veterinarian the information they need to adjust their anesthetic protocol as needed. That’s not to say that anesthesia doesn’t carry risk – but it really comes down to weighing the potentially far greater risk of untreated dental disease against the mostly preventable risk of anesthesia. Amber is one of those cats who has to have her teeth cleaned at least once a year, and I hate putting her through it each and every time. But I also know that if I don’t, I’m putting her overall future health at risk.

]]> By: Layla Morgan Wilde http://consciouscat.net/2009/11/02/the-importance-of-good-dental-health-for-your-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-2892 Layla Morgan Wilde Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:08:40 +0000 http://consciouscat.net/?p=1667#comment-2892 Good points. The link between periodontal and heart disease is true for both human and their pets. What about anesthesia risks and elderly cats? Good points. The link between periodontal and heart disease is true for both human and their pets. What about anesthesia risks and elderly cats?

]]> By: Elizabeth Spann Craig http://consciouscat.net/2009/11/02/the-importance-of-good-dental-health-for-your-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-2891 Elizabeth Spann Craig Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:58:43 +0000 http://consciouscat.net/?p=1667#comment-2891 Thanks for this important reminder, Ingrid! I appreciate it. Elizabeth <a href="http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Mystery Writing is Murder</a> Thanks for this important reminder, Ingrid! I appreciate it.

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder

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