Brushing your feline's teeth maintains its good health
If you look at the inside of your feline's mouth you will see perfection based on the functionality of the large fang-like teeth, tearing molars and baby grooming incisors. That is a lot of mouth to keep in great working condition, including teeth and gums.
Why should we be obsessed with our felines' dental health? Prevention of periodontal disease is key. If periodontal disease occurs you will be dealing with a host of problems, from loss to infections and ultimately bacteria going into their blood stream, which can damage major organs.
Water additives, hard food and treats can be a great aid, but not the ultimate end-all cure. Nothing beats simple brushing.
If your feline refuses to let you use a finger brush, start with something less invasive like gauze and work your way back to a finger brush or child's toothbrush.
Pet tooth pastes can make the chore more tolerable for both of you. Your feline needs to accept teeth cleaning as a tasty treat. A word of caution regarding tooth paste: never use human tooth paste. You will make your feline sick. The cat will never let you near its mouth again with that type of negative experience.
Before you approach with feline tooth paste, just practice handling your feline's head by gently opening the mouth and inspecting the teeth. If this is routinely practiced, your feline will let you take the next steps
Sometimes tuna juice or canned food gravy can coax your feline to let you explore the mouth. Feline specific bottled gravy is also available at most pet stores. Wrapping a feline in a towel or blanket can also have a calming effect. Just know your feline's body language to know how much cleaning can be accomplished in any given session.
You should also start in small sections of the mouth to see how tolerant your feline is to the experience. If you go slowly, your feline will tolerate continued cleanings. You may find that your first experience with brushing may take you a week or more to clean the entire mouth.
Patience is key for both you and your feline in the initial acclimation to tooth brushing. A reward with a tasty treat also makes the experience positive for both of you.
Finally, home care is only one part of the battle for a healthy feline mouth. Annual visits to your veterinarian for dental checks and possible cleanings are a must. Professional care is a crucial preventive measure for a healthy, happy feline mouth for the life of your pet.
February, coincidentally, happens to be dental maintenance month, so you have added incentive to schedule your appointment with your veterinarian. Preventive measures will, in time, actually save you money on veterinary expenses. More, is really less.
Did you know?
If your feline does not get much enjoyment from organic dried catnip or the real plant, research shows there might be some alternative plants to try. Silver Vine and Tatarian Honeysuckle received a positive response to felines that were unresponsive to catnip. It is worth a try to see your feline in a frenzy (small doses, of course)!
Upcoming
• Join Buddy on Thursday, Feb. 22, at Chandler's Chop House, 401 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, for Buddy's 23rd Birthday Bash and St. Patrick's Day celebration. Your donation of $30 in advance or $35 at the door includes a buffet and two drink tickets. The evening will feature auctions, games, prizes and raffles.
Reserve your tickets today. Send your check to The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, or call (847) 290-5606. Credit cards are accepted and tickets will be returned by mail. Or you can visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org to purchase tickets through Pay Pal.
If you cannot attend this event, show your support for Buddy by sending in a ticket donation or contributing a raffle/auction prize.
• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 shelter. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.