YOUR CAT’S DENTAL HEALTH
        (Pull-Quote from Dr. Melinda for image)
        “Remember that a healthy pet has healthy teeth, and maintaining good oral hygiene is one way to ensure your pet’s ongoing good health.”
        -Dr. Melinda DVM, Ph.D.

        Bite-Sized Dental Tips from Dr. Melinda
        Dr. Melinda is the Manager of Scientific Affairs and resident veterinarian at Hartz. She holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and a Ph.D. in Animal Sciences. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

        Q: How important is your cat’s dental health to their overall health?

        Dr Melinda: Your cat’s teeth are the gateway to her overall well-being.  Show me a cat with clean healthy, teeth and gums, and I’ll show you a healthy cat! Unfortunately, what few people realize is cats can suffer from a wide range of dental problems in addition to periodontal disease that originate in the cat’s mouth.

        Cats can display other oral diseases such as Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORLs), a condition that is common in cats starting at age 2.  As your cat ages, this condition becomes even more common!  Another oral disease is chronic gingivitis-stomatitis.  This disease is characterized by persistent inflammation and sometimes ulceration of the oral tissues.  Both of these conditions are very painful and can lead to poor body condition (especially in geriatric cats), as well as behavioral changes such as irritability, lethargy, depression or aggression.

        Just taking a little extra care of your cat’s teeth can make a big difference in her overall health!

        Q:  What exactly is tartar?

        Dr. Melinda: Dental tartar is formed by the hardening or mineralization of plaque, which forms a thick, hard layer on pets’ teeth. Left untreated, plaque and tartar accumulation on teeth can lead to oral disease, negatively affecting both tooth and gum health, and ultimately even leading to serious overall health issues, such as disease of the heart, kidneys and liver.  While heavy accumulations of tartar are removed during a cat’s dental cleaning by a veterinarian, at-home dental care is required in between cleanings to prevent new accumulations of tartar.

        Q: Can I save money by giving my cat Crunch 'n Clean?

        Dr. Melinda: Professional dental cleanings and treatment can be costly. Prevention is key!  The average cost of a dental cleaning is approximately $500 (between $150-$900).  Since tartar buildup begins immediately after teeth are cleaned, regular professional dental cleaning combined with daily Hartz® Crunch 'n Clean – five treats twice daily for cats – will ensure optimal dental health.

        Q: Does the simple act of chewing play a role in dental health?

        Dr. Melinda: There is some evidence that soft food diets are associated with greater incidence and severity of periodontal disease in cats. However, cats can develop significant dental disease even when fed exclusively dry diets. The small kibble size of most dry diets does not offer much opportunity for chewing, and many cats will swallow the pieces whole. Even when they do attempt to chew, the individual kibbles are brittle and shatter into smaller pieces with little effort on the part of the cat. Dental treats are larger so that the cat chews each piece instead of swallowing them whole. This allows for some mechanical removal of plaque from the tooth surface.

        Q: What is the best way to brush your cat’s teeth?

        Dr. Melinda: Daily tooth brushing is an essential part of your pet’s health. As with any new learned behavior, it is important to start slowly, with patience and positive reinforcement. To start, place a small amount of pet toothpaste on your finger and let your cat sniff and lick it. If your cat is not interested in the toothpaste, brush the teeth without it. Do not use human toothpaste because it contains fluoride, which is harmful to your pet. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface, with the bristles pointing toward the gum line. Work the toothbrush in a circular motion on the outer surfaces of the teeth. Try for 15 seconds on each side of the mouth. Go slowly, and be patient. If your cat is getting upset, stop and wait a few hours before trying again.


        Q: How often should my cat have an oral exam at the vet?

        Dr. Melinda: A yearly veterinary exam is important for the overall health and well-being of your cat, and part of this exam includes an oral exam. Because cats can have dental diseases such as chronically inflamed gums in addition to periodontal disease, it is important for your vet to check their teeth at their annual visits. Older cats tend to have more dental diseases than kittens and may require more frequent examinations.  Remember that your cat ages approximately 7 years for every one of your years, and dental issues can arise quickly. The earlier dental disease is treated, the better the outcome for your cat.

        * According to the American Dental Society.