Dental care for my cat

Your cat's teeth are tough. She uses them both for eating and for protecting herself. Good teeth are very important for your cat's health.

My cat's teeth

A cat, like us, has baby teeth that she replaces with permanent teeth. She is born toothless as a kitten, the first teeth and molars only come through after 2 to 4 weeks. When your kitten is 3 months old she starts teething. This doesn't happen all at once but in stages. Around the age of 7 months your cat has finished teething and her adult teeth are complete.

Dental plaque is a common condition. It is a soft layer consisting of a combination of living and dead bacteria, calcium and phosphorus from saliva, food remnants and water. The space between the tooth and the gum is an ideal space for bacterial growth. Over time, plaque turns into tartar. Besides bad breath, this can cause gum inflammation. Prevent this by taking good care of your cat's teeth.

How do I prevent dental problems in my cat?

There are many things you can do to prevent dental problems in your cat:

• Preferably give dry food.
• Brush your cat's teeth twice a week with a special brush and cat toothpaste.
• Have tartar removed by the vet in time.
• Use mouthwash specially made for cats.
• Give your cat dental care cat snacks.

If your cat prefers wet food, alternate it with dry food. For some cats brushing is difficult because they don't tolerate it. This is a matter of getting used to it and building up slowly. If you get your cat used to brushing at a young age, it will usually go well later in life.