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How to Brush Your Cat's Teeth Properly: Should You Do It?
15.02.2024 06:10
To keep your cat healthy, you need to strictly follow hygiene rules.
Due to insufficient oral care, plaque may appear on your pet's teeth.
And in this case, the risk of tartar formation is very high, which can later even lead to death. Therefore, regular cleaning of the teeth and gums of a pet is a mandatory procedure.
Why Oral Hygiene Is So Important
Everyone knows that cats are predators. In the wild, the teeth of these animals are cleaned by chewing prey with cartilage, which erases plaque and maintains the whiteness and smoothness of the teeth.
Domestic cats often eat soft food. Refusing dry food and eating only stews or pates provokes the hardening of plaque remaining on the surface of the teeth.
The location of the stone is the neck of the tooth near the gums. Over time, the overgrown stone injures the mucous membrane and causes inflammation. If measures are not taken in time, various diseases with serious consequences may occur.
To avoid problems, you need to brush your cat's teeth and gums yourself at least once every 3-4 days.
How to perform the procedure
Before cleaning the oral cavity, you should prepare. If this is the first such procedure in the pet's life, you should first introduce the cat to new objects: let it sniff the brush and try the toothpaste. Half an hour before the planned cleaning, it is better to limit your pet's access to food and water.
Rules of preparation
To minimize stress for the pet and danger for the owner, it is better to take the following actions in advance:
- feed your pet no later than 1.5 hours before cleaning;
- ensure peace and quiet;
- introduce the cat to new things;
The first few times it is worth asking someone to help with this procedure, later the owner will cope completely on his own.
Cleaning rules
Cleaning your cat's mouth may seem difficult at first, but after a while, the process becomes second nature and is quick and easy. The procedure is as follows:
- applying a special paste to the brush;
- placing the cat on the owner's lap so that the animal's back is turned towards the owner;
- opening the mouth with two fingers and gently pulling the lips apart;
- performing smooth movements first from top to bottom, then in other directions.
If the cat is feeling unwell, the procedure is postponed to another time.
How often should you brush your cat's teeth?
The frequency of cleaning a cat's mouth recommended by veterinarians is 1-2 times every 7 days. However, if the cat has any problems with its oral health, you can increase the number of procedures to 5-6 times in the specified period of time. But for this, the pet must be completely accustomed to such actions and not be aggressive.
Cleaning your cat's teeth and gums is essential to maintaining a healthy oral cavity. Regular hygiene procedures will help you avoid a variety of problems that can even lead to the death of your pet.
Previously, we wrote about which dog breeds are suitable for families with children.
