Cat dental care: Cleaning, tips and advice

Keeping on top of your pet’s oral hygiene can help them to live a happy and healthy life. Cats are masters at hiding discomfort and pain, so it can be tricky to spot if your feline has an issue. They may be eating and drinking normally, so you wouldn’t expect anything to be wrong. 

But cat dental disease is one of the most common health concerns facing felines. By the age of two years old, 70% of cats develop some degree of periodontal disease.

Here’s a breakdown of common cat dental care problems to be aware of:

Periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease in cats. It’s caused by a buildup of plaque that hardens into tartar, a yellow-brown substance, that can completely coat the teeth. The bacteria in tartar can cause redness, swelling, and loosening of the gum’s attachment to the teeth. This can result in loose teeth and even abscesses at the tooth root.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, due to a buildup of bacteria and plaque. The inflammation of the gums causes them to become red and swollen. If left untreated, it can become more severe, causing receding gums and tooth loss. If it’s caught early and treated with the correct cat dental care, it can be reversible. 

Fractured teeth

If your pet gets into mischief, it’s possible to crack their teeth. Falls, accidents, or biting down on hard objects can cause tooth fractures. Sealing or bonding can fix minor fractures, but deeper ones may need extraction or root canal treatment. 

Tooth resorption

Tooth resorption in cats is a painful condition. It occurs when the dentin (a hard tissue beneath the tooth enamel) erodes and, over time, becomes irreversibly destroyed. Eventually, it can affect all areas of the affected tooth.
 

Even if your feline doesn’t enjoy the experience (who can blame them), it’s important to check the inside of their mouth. When checking your cat's teeth, it can help to have someone else hold them. But it’s still possible to do it alone. 

You need to:

1. Gently hold their head, tip it back slightly, and tilt it to the side
2. Carefully pull back their lips with your thumbs
3. Look inside their mouth as far back as you can

Check for signs of dental problems in cats by:

• Looking at their teeth. Healthy teeth are clean, white, and free of chips. Their gums should be pink and healthy without redness, bleeding, or swelling, and free of sores. If you come across grey or black patches, don’t worry, this is their natural pigment.
• Checking the back of their mouth. Keep an eye out for ulcers, lumps, or swellings. See if you can see any foreign objects they could’ve picked up – like a string.
• Smelling for odour. Your feline’s breath shouldn’t have a foul smell, as this could indicate an infection in their mouth or elsewhere in their body.

Keep an eye out for cat dental disease symptoms, including:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Bad breath
• Drooling
• Pawing at their face
• Changes in their eating habits, or discomfort when eating
• Reduced appetite or weight loss
• Bleeding gums
• Reduced grooming and worse coat condition
   

Brushing your cat’s teeth is a good way to keep dental disease at bay. It’s a good idea to start getting your cat used to having their teeth touched from a young age. 

Here are some cat dental cleaning tips from Cats Protection:

• Ask your vet for advice
• Buy specialised toothpaste – never use human toothpaste
• Only use a cat toothbrush – you can buy one from pet stores

Ready to get started? Here’s a step-by-step guide to brushing your cat’s teeth:

1. Put the cat toothpaste on your finger and offer it to your pet to lick
2. Slowly pull back their lips and touch their teeth with the toothbrush and then soothe them. Repeat until your cat is comfortable with the feeling of the toothbrush on their teeth
3. Once they’re ready, gently brush their teeth with the bristles at a 45-degree angle

Dental care for cats is notoriously expensive. And it’s hard for vets to advise on the extent of the dental work needed until your cat is under anaesthetic, so they can clean and examine their teeth and take mouth x-rays.

The exact cost will vary depending on the work your cat needs and the location and veterinary practice you choose. 

To give you a better idea, we had a look at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) pricing guide:

• £550 for dental assessment, scale and polish
• £400 to £700 for extraction (depending on the number of teeth)

These costs may incorporate general or local anaesthetic, drugs, intravenous fluids, full dental assessment, x-rays, scale and polish, suture materials, and more – depending on the procedure. 

If dental work on your cat is necessary, ask your vet for a detailed breakdown of your cat’s case to understand the costs involved.

Feeding your cat a healthy and balanced diet can limit the likelihood of dental issues. Diet by itself cannot control plaque, but specialised dental diets may help to maintain your cat’s teeth and gum health. Avoid feeding your feline sugary treats as they can erode enamel, causing tooth decay and dental disease.