Iffy Teeth

We've had one cat who just had a dental and several teeth taken out because of gingivitis. He will only eat wet food - just can't get him to even try the dry stuff. Does anyone have any advice on how to keep his teeth clean so he doesn't lose any more? I did try the finger brush - HA! That's not going to happen! I've tried the dental treats but he just looks at them. It's been several weeks now so his gums shouldn't be sore any longer, and I'm sure it feels a bit funny to him, but I'd really like to keep on top of his teeth. Any ideas?

Dry food doesn't actually keep cats teeth clean. It's one of those old wives tales that keep circulating but don't have any real basis. The truth is most kibbles are not hard enough to have the same tooth cleaning impact chewing on raw bones does for wild cats and most cats don't chew kibble enough for it to have any impact on dental health. Watch your cat eat and when it comes to kibble them might crunch a few pieces but most they just swallow.

Genetics have a larger part to play in how much dental care a cat needs. I have a four year old and five year old right now; same diets, same household. My five year olds teeth have been close to needing a dental since he was two years old (the vet saying, they are okay right now but probably at the next appointment he will need it). My four year olds teeth are in perfect shape and don't even hint at needing dental work. My rainbow kitties were the same thing with one having almost all this teeth pulled and the other never needing dental work.

The best way to keep up on cats dental health is to have regular check-ups, do dental work when recommended (your already on top of that one), and see if you can get your cat into a brushing routine. Not all cats will allow brushing though which leaves most of us at the vet care and dental as needed steps. As your cat gets older switch to twice yearly exams and be alert for foul smelling breath, drooling or other signs of dental problems.

The only diet that may, stress the may, help dental health is a properly balanced raw diet. But I don't recommend that for anyone who hasn't done through research because if done wrong it can, and has, hurt cats more then it helps.

You might try a small brush rather than a finger brush, peapie . Our cats hate the finger brushes but even look forward to having their teeth brushed with a regular little brush.

I'd also suggest starting off very gradually with your toothbrushing routine. This blog post from The Conscious Cat discusses a Cornell Vet School video -- we used this method and it worked great for our cats. We've been brushing their teeth almost daily now for four years. FWIW, they like CET toothpaste and brushes.

Thank you so much! We're going to watch that video tonight and go get toothbrushes for each of them tomorrow. I never thought this would be even possible without causing them stress and me losing a finger or two. I'm excited to try this and will post on here how it goes. Thanks again to both of you - I've had cats for donkey's years but this proves you can always learn something new - much appreciated!!

You're welcome, peapie , though thanks really go to our vet for telling us about the video.

I'll cross my fingers that your fingers won't get bitten. Just take things slowly, first introducing whatever they tell you to... I think it's the brush. I, too, thought it was impossible to brush a cat's teeth but quickly found they don't mind if you do it in a way they can appreciate.

Good luck!