Bad Breath
Cat-Astrophe
by Jed Yorkshire
Are you dealing with cat breath that's nothing short of
"cat-astrophic?" Fear not - for your days spent living with horrid halitosis
are nearing a much anticipated end.
Nasty feline breath is,
unfortunately, pretty common and is probably caused by dental disease.
Basically, what's happening is bacteria is building up along the gum line,
leading to gingivitis, inflamed gums, or infection. If left unchecked,
gingivitis can eventually cause periodontitis, an inflammation of deeper
tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth, and in severe cases, infection
in the mouth can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body!
So which cats are at risk for
dental disease? Most pets show early signs of dental disease soon after
reaching maturity, especially if they haven't been getting preventive care.
But other factors can influence your pet's risk for dental disease. Here are
just a few:
* Diet - Dry foods leave less
residue on the teeth compared with soft foods. Chewing hard kibble helps
keep your pet's teeth clean, but it isn't always enough. Ask your
veterinarian about a specially formulated diet for cats that reduces tartar
formation.
* Chemistry - One of the main
factors that could lead to tartar buildup is your cat's individual mouth
chemistry. Some pets need yearly dental cleanings and others need them only
every few years.
* Metabolic Diseases - Certain
metabolic diseases, like hypothyroidism or kidney disease, can boost your
pet's risk of dental disease. Diseases that wreak havoc on the immune
system, like feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus
infections, can also play a role.
So aside from the funky feline
breath, how can cat lovers tell if their precious pet has dental disease?
Keep an eye out for any of these signs:
* Red, swollen gums
* Bleeding gums
* Little or no interest in food
* Trouble eating
* Drooling
* Loose or broken teeth
* Heavy tartar deposits on teeth
* Swelling or a draining hole under the eye
If you notice any of these, get
your cat to the vet ASAP.
Aside from weekly home
cleanings and yearly cleanings at the vet's office, make sure your cat has a
lot of dental chew toys and rawhide strips. While those alone won't prevent
dental disease, they do help remove plaque. And that means your cat's bad
breath will soon be a distant memory!
About the Author
Jed Yorkshire is a retired
teacher and pet enthusiast who writes about canine health topics, specialty
breeds, animal training and grooming. An avid pet lover and breeder, he owns
four beautiful Giant Schnauzers. Yorkshire also works as a private pet
behavior consultant.
