Dental diseases are not just something humans have to deal with. Cats can suffer from tartar buildup, gingivitis, cavities, bad breath, and a host of other dental and oral problems. What’s worse is that a dental infection can usher in other potentially life-threatening diseases. Some cat parents spend a lot of time and effort tending to their pets’ coats and spending money on buying cute toys. However, there is a clear lack of awareness when it comes to dental problems in cats. A short dental care routine performed regularly has the power to protect your cat from most dental diseases. To make sure you never miss a brushing session, here’re are 3 major reasons why you need to care about your cat’s dental hygiene.

Dental Diseases Can Lead to Fatal Health Conditions: According to studies, dental health issues can lead to other conditions including kidney diseases, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and heart failure. This is caused when bacteria from the mouth and teeth enter the bloodstream thus increasing the likelihood of affecting vital organs such as the lung, kidney, and liver.

Approximately 85 Percent Domestic Cats Suffer from Dental Issues: If you think your cat doesn’t need dental care then we urge you to think again. As many as 85% of all cats over the age of 6 are affected by one or more periodontal diseases. Domestic cats on commercial cat food are more susceptible than wild cats. This is mainly because they are fed artificial mushy food instead of their natural protein-rich diet. Cat are genetically tuned to consume raw flesh and bones of small animals. Commercial wet cat food products while convenient can drastically speed up the tartar buildup process.

Dental Diseases Can Cause Severe Pain: As a responsible cat parent, it’s your job to ensure your cat leads a happy and healthy life. While cats are masters of hiding their pain, they are not immune to it. Tooth decay and oral infections can cause severe pain to your cat which may end up affecting its demeanor and overall health. Cats with severe dental issues also face difficulty chewing food which can push them towards being severely malnourished.

Dental Care Tips for Cats

Try Specially Made Dental Care Food Products: Some dry cat food products are specially designed to keep your pet’s teeth clean. However, instead of falling prey to marketing gimmicks pay close attention to the label and see if the dental cat food product is approved by VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council). Supplementing the regular cat food or replacing it all together with a special dental care cat food product should go a long way into keeping your cat’s teeth healthy.