• 29 March 2024

Periodontal disease in cats

 Periodontal disease in cats

Periodontal disease affects almost every cat. According to various studies, in the group of cats over two years of age, these diseases affect from 70% to over 80% of the domestic cat population. In this article you will learn what causes periodontal disease and how to deal with them.

Periodontal diseases in cats cause many diseases and ailments, they can even shorten our pet’s life. Most often, however, the pain caused by the disease leads to the loss of weight of the kitten, which hurts every bite and has lost its appetite due to the pain. Another reaction to pain caused by periodontal disease may be aggression directed at other household members, caregivers or other pets.

Where do periodontal diseases in cats come from?

The main cause of disease is the formation of plaque, which leads to gingivitis and periodontitis. Feeding your cat the right food and understanding that it is a carnivore is essential in prevention. Prevention is much easier and cheaper than cure. The mouth where the teeth are located is the first part of a cat’s digestive system, a system that is fairly short and simple. Digestion takes 4-6 hours.

From the very first bite, Kicia leaves the remains of food on her teeth, there are also bacteria, their secretions and saliva. It all adds up to a small plaque factory. In a healthy cat, the amount of this plaque is small and is constantly monitored by the immune system.

One of the most common causes of plaque build-up is improper diet, which we wrote extensively a few days ago in the article Diet and periodontal disease in cats.

How can we recognize periodontal disease in a kitten? First of all, we should constantly monitor the cat’s breathing. If there is an unpleasant odor, it is a warning that something is wrong. Inflammation can develop in less than 2-3 months. Plaque that is just emerging should be removed as soon as possible before it hardens and forms tartar.

The effect of ignoring periodontal diseases in cats may even result in the death of our kitten. Oral infections can cause inflammation in other organs, and even the liver, kidneys and heart can malfunction.

What to do?

The sooner as we act, the better, it turns out that it’s best to brush your cat’s teeth. This is the most effective way of prevention. Specialist tooth cleaning wipes are also available in stores and vets. We can also consider supplementing the cat with vitamin D and B vitamins. Their deficiencies reflect on the oral cavity. Administering omega-3 fatty acids will help with periodontitis.

There are also special balls available in stores, which, by grabbing them, massages the teeth and gums of the kittens, helping to keep the smile healthy. There are also special pieces of wood, the chewing of which also contributes to good hygiene. In stores, we can find special food that is to facilitate the cleaning of our friend’s teeth. We will write more about it shortly.

Periodontal disease is a serious problem that affects 4 out of 5 cats. Remembering that it all starts with what we give the cat to eat. Remember that we are able to raise a healthy and happy cat. Do not be afraid of brushing your cat’s teeth and remember to pay attention to our cat’s teeth and gums during the next visit.

Related post