How to Keep Your Cat's Teeth Healthy: Did I Cause My Cat's Tartar?
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- Опубліковано 10 чер 2024
- Most cats get some tooth problems during their life. Whether its gingivitis, tartar or loose teeth, there are ways to reduce the problem. In this video I look at periodic dental cleaning by a veterinarian, brushing your cat's teeth and how the food they eat can affect their tooth health. Oh, and yes, I do have a quibble with Jackson Galaxy.
Here are links to the articles I mention in the video.
Cats, Nutrition, and Periodontal Disease
www.vohc.org/
Anesthesia Data
www.veterinarypracticenews.co...
Jackson Galaxy Video
• Should I Brush My Cat’...
Your Cats Dental Health (Catnip - Tufts University)
www.tuftscatnip.com/cathealth...
Clinical Trial Tijdschr Diergeneeskd
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15773...
Here are links to some of the products I mention in the video. I make a small commission from purchases made through these links.
Greenies Dental Treats
amzn.to/3H6ckck
I could not find the exact brushing kit I go online. But this one from Sentry looks very similar.
amzn.to/3Mm5NLD
#9livestolive #jacksongalaxy - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
Great video! Just a heads up, for those who have never heard of it, there is a fantastic prescription dental kibble to be given to cats as treats each day. They love it! Works way better than Greenies. Stuff has worked like magic on my five cats teeth. They have always gotten glowing, very happy and impressed vet checks on their teeth. It really works! Is called t/d dental food by Hill’s. Again it’s by vet prescription and one bag lasts a long time. I feed my cats their regular wet food and add extra water to each meal, plus give them five pieces of the t/d dental kibble once a day. It’s not a replacement for their regular food. Also use a dental water additive in a couple of their main water bowls. All cats are different but just thought I’d share what’s worked fabulously for them.
Thanks for the great tip on t/d dental! I'm going to ask my vet about it next time one goes in. I'm glad you liked the video, KLASwork!
Thanks for this tip!
my vet recommended this also works great.
Can you please tell me if Beef or beef fat is an ingredient in that food? I want to mix dental kibbles with their current food but my cat has an allergy. Thanks for considering.
If you have a cat that does not chew their food, will t/d hill food be of any help? I am wondering about using a dental gel in that situation.
I bought my cat a dental stick. It has straw coming out of each end & twine/rope wrapped around the stick. SHE LOVES IT. She chews it constantly. She's basically ripped it apart in 2 weeks.
I never heard of dental sticks. Thanks for the suggestion, I'm definitely trying one!
Take your cat to a certain room every time for the teeth cleaning with the door shut and that way they’ll know when they go to that room its teeth cleaning time and not always be scared of you.
Great tip, Jason! Thanks!
I love that you freeze framed the dirty look that Mr. Muffin gave you at 6:35. You do a great job w/these videos!
LOL!
I loved how in depth you went on this. I am a regular brusher of my adult cats teeth and am currently training my 9 month old kitten who's teeth have finally grown in. Before bed I will do something they don't like: brushing, teeth brushing, or nail trimming and then immediately after give them a little bit of kibble as a treat. I did this because I wanted the dental benefits that came with eating the kibble but I have also noticed that they rarely chew their regular sized kibble. I'm going to look for some larger kibbles going forward as their bed time treat. Thank you!
You're welcome, Starfishey! It's great you and your cats have the discipline to do regular brushing!
Water additives like Fresh Breath that use enzymes to clean the cats mouth do make a huge difference in keeping their mouths clean. Not only that but I did some experiments with my 10 cats where I let them drink water from their water fountain, without the filter, and every day I just dumped the water out and added new water without cleaning the fountain. After just 3 days the water was slimy (which is bacteria growth) and all parts of the bowl needed a very good cleaning. After cleaning the fountain I then I added the fresh breath to the fountain water and did the same thing and after a week the water was still not slimy. At 10 days it wasn't slimy either. Most of my cats are RagaMuffins who are known to have more dental issues but by always adding Fresh Breath or a similar enzyme cleaner to their water I haven't had any more issues with red gums.
Do you know if the enzymes affect their digestion? There are a lot of good bacteria that in their gut that they need. Just wondering.
@@9LivesToLive I don't think it affects the gut bacteria because I have given cats antibiotics before and the results are pretty messy usually. However there was no change in their stools when I started using the water additive.
Do you still use filter on the fountain with the water additive?
I haven't been using a filter with it but then again with so many cats they empty it out every day so I have to clean and refill it daily.@@AlwaysArianne
@Fievel4 Those water additives have alot of toxic ingredients
I’m so glad to see someone making a video like this , Thankyou
Thanks for your comment, Marilyn!
Excellent! Thank you my friend. So happy I found this channel.
Thank you so much!
Great video! Common sense and patience!😀 Thanks so much for sharing!
You're welcome, and thanks for your comment, Linda!
Thank you very much for this thorough and entertaining video! I really appreciate all of the research that you did, and your links to these references. I also really appreciate all of your respect for Jackson Galaxy, as I highly respect him as well. I think you dispute his comments about dry food very well. I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos. I discovered your channel because I'm working on catifying my home, and your catification video really wowed me! (you may have more than one but I've only seen the one of your own home so far, and watched it many times before checking out your whole channel). Cheers!
Thanks for your comment, Deb! I appreciate it! I only have one other video on catification, on windows. You might want to watch that if you have not seen it. Goo luck with your projects!
Excellent video, very comprehensive and sensible advice. Thanks.
Thanks for your comment!
Thank you for this, I didn’t know what to do but definitely feel like professional teeth cleaning should be a last resort despite what the vets say. Trust your gut and don’t give in.
Yes, it should be a last resort, not first.
Hello! you just popped up and I must congratulate you on your production, sense of humor!! and your beautiful cats. my Steevo needs a brushing...looks scary. I really appreciate yr no nonsense advice to watch out for mistrust, biting, and the kibble thing!
WOW! New sub Thank you!!!
Thanks so much for your comment, Darline! I am glad that you liked this video and I hope you enjoy the channel! Hello to Steevo!
Great info explained very clearly. Thank you. Your conclusions exactly match our current experience with our nearly 4 yo rescue cat. Bad breath sent us to the vet. Yup, periodontal disease. Exam also showed an abscess; poor kitty. Had to extract a couple of teeth and also cleaning. A tad over $800 and kitty is well again. Her diet continues to be high quality/protein wet food but she now gets large “kibble” treats - several a day, but only after eating her meals. This routine has encouraged her to drink more water. Totally agree with what you’ve said. Well except for tooth brushing. Amber is a rescued feral and she’ll never allow that! She is now a happy inside kitty. Love your Channel - best one on YT! 😻
Thanks for your comment, Cyn! Yeah, it's hard to brush cat's teeth, and I don't think many actually get used to it. They are animals, after all, and it's not natural. I'm glad your kitty is doing better!
I started by playing with a q-tip (cardboard not plastic ones) with my cat. You could perhaps play with a toothbrush or q-tip sometimes with them and encourage them to bite at it. Or loads of other dental toys. This helps too, just ensure if a plush toy to clean sometimes with dishsoap soap and water.
Best video I've ever seen on cat oral health. Thank you!
Thanks so much, Cind! I appreciate your comment!
@@9LivesToLive You're welcome. You've helped me and my cat so much, unlike the many videos I watched before finding yours.
Thank you! My cat is 11-years-old now and started developing plaque and gum problems half a year ago. This video really helps.
Glad it helped!
It's essential to teach cats brushing from early on, so spreading that information can save people SO much problems. But I know it often doesn't go that way. In our case, we did. We let the brush lie on the table so that he would get used to it being around, and yes it did happen that he hide it from us, but still it made him less chocked when it appeared. We also did that thing with introducing him to the toothpaste slowly in steps. As for the toothbrush that we use it is one that brushes both sides of the teeth at once, and it's very easy to use as well (which might not be what one would think hearing this). Truly this is the only real way of making sure, and I think it goes easier over time. So people should not give up!
Thanks for your comment! Great to hear how you did it!
Wonderful video! So practical
So glad! Thank you, Esantana!
this has been the most helpful video . thank you !
Great! Glad it was.
I'm so happy I found your channel
Great! Thanks for your comment, Libby! I'm glad you like the videos!
This subject matter of pet care should be taught in schools. We should be brushing our cat's teeth when they are kittens. One of my cats had their teeth cleaned with an extraction. I had no idea how much pain she had endured.
I’m more than thankful for this video. I had been to a vet visit for my 4 year old cat where he suggested scaling procedure done under anaesthesia. I would want go with your recommendations even before I take my cat to the actual procedure. Thank you
Glad it helped, Sowmya!
Great info. Thanks.
I'm glad it was helpful! Thanks for your comment, Isidro!
Great video!
This is so helpful!
Glad it was helpful, Vic!
Congratulations on a thorough video about cats teeth.
My vet suggested giving my cats Hill's Science cat t/d to remove tartar build up and to help my 2 cats to be healthy without having to brush or do teeth cleaning.
It's not cheap food, but the cats love it and after 3 years, their teeth are clean and healthy.
I also put out wet food for them too, but they prefer the Hill's Science t/d.
I give mine Hill's Science Diet - Oral Care Adult once a day, at night. Otherwise they get wet food. They do like the Hill's a lot, but I prefer that they mostly eat the wet for the moisture. Everyone must make their own decision on a balance that works for them. Thanks for your comment. I appreciate all perspectives.
9 loves to live, I'm glad you've found a satisfying solution 😊
A wonderful solution when it's actually possible. Unfortunately, my cat doesn't really chew his food, making kibble quite useless. Plus he is now old and diabetic and requires a specialised diet consisting mostly of wet food. The only solution now is just brush, brush, brush, pet chlorhexidine and scraping.
Great information as usual. We feed our three cat dry kibble during the day, but give them wet food in the evenings. Plus we use dental treats, but like you one cat has an issue where the others don't seem to. She will have a tooth removed later this year, so definitly good advice on training your cat towards brushing. Thanks for all your great information.
You're welcome! Thanks for your comment!
The best food for a cat’s teeth is raw meaty bones. A 1 inch piece of raw chicken neck is another good option. There are no kibbles that are good for a cat’s teeth, especially not any with corn, wheat, or soy as ingredients.
Yes, raw meaty bones are good for cats teeth, but the are not a practical option for many people. And many vets have concerns about raw, especially chicken. So, I think we should not let the optimal be a barrier to the good. My point was that you should not feed your cat only mushy wet food. But if you are feeding raw, your suggestion is spot on.
@@9LivesToLive Just passing on info from my vet…
@@savioursoul I am considering doing a video on feeding raw in the future, but I do not do it myself. Do you have experience feeding your cats raw? Anything you can share?
thank you for sharing - I agree on kibble - it adds more sugary crud than does good. I give my cats dehydrated roasted beef lunngs - they are big enough size, good for them and gets them crunching. I heard people giving chicken feet or chichen necks. I have always been afraid to give my animals chicken bones. Is it safe to give them these items? Won't they splinter and cause damage?
@@9LivesToLive I fed my 3 cats raw ground chicken and sometimes lean ground beef only (stopped feeding kibble) for the past 8 years, and their teeth looked great until they passed away recently. I would mix in the chicken only a teaspoon of canned food for flavor. I periodically checked their teeth and gums by lifting up the lip, and pulling down the bottom lip. Gums were light pink and teeth were white. Now I have 2 new cats, a 4 year old boy and a 5 month old girl kitten, and I'm feeding them the same way, except, the kitten is getting kitten kibble until she is 1 year old. But I do give her raw chicken too, and she loves it.
Thank you for making this video - it helped me a lot!
Glad it helped!
Thank you for this video! You did so much research. I too watched Jackson's video before I ran across this one and I didn't agree that it was good to have your cat put under for a teeth cleaning. Thank you again! I appreciate it.
You are so welcome, DawnK! Thanks for watching!
I have read that a general anaesthetic is necessary for several reasons:
Cat's mouths are small and inaccessible; a fully aware cat is unpredictable and likely not to co-operate
Cleaning and removal of rotten teeth requires pain management
Water is used in the cleaning process and the cat being 'tubed' prevents it swallowing debris
My elderly cat has significant tartar and gingivitis so in his case it makes sense. If you've been able to follow an oral hygiene routine with your cat perhaps it will never be necessary to consider a dental procedure by your vet.
That’s because Jackson is correct. Kibble is not good for your cats teeth as it’s loaded in carbs / starches which coats the cats teeth creating plaque, and other artificial crap.
Feed large freeze dried treats instead. They can also contain enzymes that will help with the plaque.
Calypso and Skyfall - great cat names!
Thanks for the comment, George! I like the names too!
I have two bengals and I brush their teeth every night after the last meal before bed. I would recommend the “dome-shaped tuft with short filaments” type of brush that humans use for precision cleaning, it is small and soft, perfect for cats.
Thanks for the suggestion!
I have two bengals also. One will tolerate a bit of brushing and the other one will move his head away from me 😭
@@cloroxbitch2491 Gosh, same! The weird thing is, I feed them the same food(raw and cooked), the one that tolerates has tartar and the one who turns her little head away doesn’t have any…
Thanks for the video😊 I started brushing ourcats teeth when he was ten years old. I sat behind him, with him sitting between my legs. This keeps him steady and calm, and I can lift his lips and brush with a fingerstocking with cats tootspaste. It took some time for him took use to, but it worked out fine😊 I would really recommend sitting in the position, I describe. Also give your cat kibbles, that are big (Royal Canin has a special, veterinary diet with extra large kibbles) and has to be chrunshed, not swalloved. A small brush for spaces between human teeth can be used to get behind the teeth infront of the cats mouth. Don't give up😊
Thanks so much for the helpful tips, Winnie! Much appreciated!
How do I brush the back part of the teeth, I seen people only brush the front part of the teeths
One of our cats does not mind brushing teeth, but we keep forgetting
Excellent presentation!
Thank you kindly!
@@9LivesToLive I have been viewing other videos on the matter of cat's teeth and gum health from vets. Surprisingly,, not everyone is on the same page.
Thank you for the helpful video 🐈
Thank you, Anna! I'm glad it was helpful.
More informative than Jackson’s video. Thanks! My 18 yo cat thanks you.
Thanks for the comment, Anthony. I tried to make it as useful as possible.
My cat had a dental visit planned in January and I’ve never maintained his teeth so this video was very helpful in preparing me for maintaining his oral health!
I think Mr. Muffin is going to need a cleaning also. 🙁
Thanks for the great information! One of our cats had a dental flare up. You could see the red like in your picture. The plaque wasn't too bad so I am hopeful we can get it under control.
I know the problem. I'm going to do a follow-up video on tooth health soon.
A vet told me that the vet schools are now teaching the students to pull the teeth if the gums are inflammed. Not good idea. It does not solve the problem. They also pull them if loose.Better nutrition could tighten up loose teeth.
Wow! I had no idea. Sounds awful. Thanks for watching, Judith!
Judith that us what they did to my friends little cat. Pulled out all her teeth! I was personally horrified and confused-until i saw the bill!!!The sales pitch was great
Docs told me the same - that most of my cats teeth must be pulled because of the mix of viruses, infected teeth and pain that he has in his gums. Which all is true actually, so I don't know...I'm looking for alternatives but honestly haven't found any proof that cats gums can be healed without any surgery/extraction.
Thank you so much !
This video is so helpful
Very clear and well explained !
I hope your cat didn't gave to go to the vet and that you got rid of the tarter(sorry if it is not the right word, i am from Belgium)
Wishing you and all of your cats Good Health and many many years together ! ❤
You're welcome! Glad it was helpful!
great video man thanks 🙏
Glad you liked it!
Thank you so much for this good video 🙏
Thanks, I appreciate your comment!
Helpful!! TY!!
Glad it was helpful!
If your cat absolutely VETOs brushing, I recommend spreading the kitty toothpaste on some extra chewy treat that they like. My choice is freeze dried chicken or turkey hearts, cut in half/smaller pieces. Very fibrous in texture and 100% made of meat. And my cat spends a long time chewing on them, hopefully spreading and scrubbing the toothpaste all over their teeth. Depending on your cat you may need to cut the hearts into smaller pieces. Sometimes they are advertised as just dog treats but they are fine for cats, just a bit BIG.
Thanks for the suggestion!
I also heard of raw chicken or turkey gizzards (has to be raw for the texture) as another natural way to get a cat to chew & scrape off tartar. Freeze dried chicken hearts are more convenient so I'll start w/those.
Great information and video. l appreciate your research and learning how to take the best care of my kitties. I knew brushing my cat's teeth 😾 was not a viable option. One thing you did not discuss is a dental water pick? I'd love to see you demonstrate 😸 !!! I had never heard about dental large sized catfood, that sounds like a winner! Of course professional dental scaling, but only as needed for reasons you mentioned. Thank you so much 💓 your videos
Glad it was helpful, Dianne! I'm not sure about a water pick. I think they splash a lot and not many cats will tolerate that. But I will look into it. Thanks for the idea!
I’m impressed.
Thanks so much for your comment, Dawn!
Thank you so much. Very informative video. It answered some of my questions. I've heard so many different theories about food. It can be confusing. I used to feed my cats Royal Canine dental kibble from the vet. I will probably go back to doing that.
I know. Cat food can be very confusing. Everybody has an opinion and they don't all agree.
thanks a lot
I agree about reducing anesthesia risks. Ever since my boys adult teeth came in I actually got him used to teeth brushing with a cat enzymatic toothpaste. He doesn't like it and turns his head away but he accepts that it's something that mommy does lol. He's 2 years old and his teeth are nice and white. Although I certainly don't do it every day! Definitely seems like an ideal to shoot for but even just keeping some tabs on how they're looking and doing a session as often as I can/he'll allow/before any plaque visibly builds up. I know teeth pain can really have an effect on quality of life and the organ effects like you mentioned, so for me, it's a task I do for his benefit the same as how I do it for myself. Very comprehensive coverage of this topic
Thanks for the comment, Christine! It's great that your cat let's you do the brushing!
The toothbrush only can get the front part of the teeths, what about the back of the teeths?
Cats have no problems with teeth until 3 years old
EXCELLENT
Many thanks!
I'm going to try this tomorrow.
Great!
Bit of ancedote, my cat was 18+ years when she passed away. Spent her whole life eating only dry Iams chicken-favored food pellets because she was super picky. She had zero dental problems at the age of 18.
I think cats do better with some wet food, but some chewing of dry is also necessary. Thanks for the information.
Thankyou!
You're welcome!
There is also an additive that you can add to their water that will also help. Just add a capful every time you add water to theirs water supply.
I have heard of them, but have not done any research. It's a good topic for a video.
My cat loves the fish flavored enzyme toothpaste for cats (C.E.T. brand, I have been waiting for ryercat brand to be ready). When I get the toothbrush out he excitedly comes over for toothbrushing and fish toothpaste licking 🤣 I also got him a small toothbrush, smallest I can find is from ryercat, it's great and he allows me to brush pretty well (but we agree 30 seconds is asking a lot!) Good luck and happy brushing!!
(I also purchased a $10 set of dental tools from Chewy to scrape off more stubborn plaque before brushing. He doesn't like that part of the process as much but tolerates it because he knows the fish paste is coming 🤣)
That's fantastic! Good for your cat!
For help with the brushing, look at the cat schools clicker training video they made on this topic! It’s got the best advice I’ve found so far.
This helps a lot my kitty rosy is getting this condition at 9 months old already it looks like it just started but her brother Simon same aged as rosy dose not
Yeah, I think it's something genetic. But I'm not sure anyone really knows. Thanks for the comment.
Great video, thank you for sharing all the info. I do belive that dry food is bad for dental hygiene, its mostly bc it has a lot of carbohydrates in it and how the the dry food pieces fall apart while they are chewing it it feeds the bacteria to grow on the surface of the teeth. The right solution for food is to have a few times a week give them raw food, like chicken meat what they bite into while eating. I also learned from vet whom i trust a lot that before y see any tartar you need to put a bit of hydrogen peroxide on a soft cloth and wipe the surface of their teeth on the outer part all the way to the back she said if this is done like 2-3 times a week its enough to let the bacteria calcified and become those colored rock type of plaque what we see on the teeth surface. Also and other great tip is to add coconut oil to their food as it fights the bacteria and also helps with hairball. Some cats love coconut oil so much its a treat for them and they happy to lick it off from your palm. So i guess its the best to prevent the dental problems than already have it and resolve it. Again thank you for the great video and lots of information, and experience shared on your part.
Thanks for the suggestions!
TL;DR: I am facing another tooth extraction & cleaning at the age of 8 for my cat and unsure whether to do it or not...makes me nervous about the potential complications, so having been researching online for guidance!
First of all, thanks for this well researched and articulated video :) I also watched Jackson's video before this one, so it gave me a chuckle.
I have an 8 yr old female cat long-haired domestic who definitely has some Siberian/Maine Coon/Persian somewhere in her background.
I went through this journey with her as well; at age 3 had to get some teeth extracted and had a full mouth cleaning (very nerve wrecking experience for me re: sedation). Now at age 8 I have another tooth issue that has come up and I'm even more anxious about having to put her under again at an older age. It's a tooth that's recessing inward - but vet tells me it would cause NO change in outward circumstance: she could continue to eat, play, and use the litter as normal with no signs of issues unless that specific spot is touched. It's the oddest thing to see because everything is normal at home but apparently this tooth will continue to get worse, and she'll just deal with it???! Obviously that makes me feel horrible lol. I don't want her to suffer.
The first time around, brushing was just too difficult, so I went with the gel for after-care, to the point where my cat definitely knew I was coming for her at night LOL. Not going to lie, sticking with this routine was difficult for me, even with the gel. Now I'm at the point of doing this process all over again and this time committing to the gel again, even if it's not every day.
By the way...my vet also reco'd something you can put in the cat's water to help - but it would need to be a non-fountain delivery as the filters will block it, and of course you've got the issue of cats already being poor water drinkers.
Yes, VP, these tooth problems are complicated! I think it is worth getting the tooth fixed, even with the anesthesia. All you can do is try to help. Some breed cats are more prone to problems. Good luck!
I had a cat die during this surgery from the anesthesia, they think a blood clot in the brain. I wish I had gotten done much sooner when he was healthier. The tooth decay leads to other health problems. My other cat also had to have tooth removal, she did great and is much happier after the removal. It’s scary.
So sorry to hear about your cat, Kyla. Fortunately, that does not happen too often. It's tough to find the right balance.
Great video. Yes, my vet said the same thing that just a wet diet isn't good for their teeth. Large kibble is a great idea.😻🦷
Thanks for your comment! I appreciate it.
Thank you for your video! Very informative! We have had many cats who we could brush their teeth and it worked fine! Our vet one time even mentioned how our 19 year old cat had the best clean white teeth he had ever seen! Unfortunately those cats have passed away and now we have a 8 year old cat who was homed twice before we got her and she doesn't like her mouth opened AT ALL! She had some dental problems a couple years ago and actually lost some teeth! I have finally gotten yo where I can get the dirt toothbrush in her mouth a little..but only after I have brushed her fur on the sides of her mouth up by her whiskers on the outside and then getting it in her mouth! No toothpaste tho and I tried the gel too..she just doesn't like it! No om worried tho that after seeing your video that if I'm just rubbing the teeth whith a dry and somfurry brush that the bacteria is going in her mouth! Oh dear! We do give her dry kibble in the morning and then dry kibble with wet food over it at night..I'm worried now as to what to do next...I will have to give it more thought.
By the way your cats are adorable! Our is named Joy and she is a gray tabby!
In the end, you do what you can. Some cats just don't let you. I had to have Mr. Muffin's teeth cleaned.
Try raw meaty bones, chicken wings for example, or any other small meaty raw bones and they will perform really well on your cat's teeth.
Yes, several people have recommended raw bones they can chew. I worry a little about the raw. But maybe it's time to try it.
They break easily. The cat could choke.
@@thalie3182 I have heard that about chicken bones, but mostly when cooked and especially for dogs who have much stronger jaws. Still, I would not give chicken bones to my cats. Thanks for the comment!
Very informative... thank you...the contents of dry food have a lot of carbs... different types of flour eg... probably grain free is better...btw what if we make jerkys at home...
Great point!
V useful. And unintentionally funny 😅
Glad you think so! LOL
My cats thank you.
Excellent video. Thank you. I have used the gel. It does remove the odor and some of the plaque. I am not sure if it is really safe for the cat to ingest even though the instructions says it's safe. BTW, cat dental cleaning can be done without anesthesia. The cat is awake so it is safe.
Thanks for the info, very useful!
I also brush with a q-tip sometimes to massage the gums. My cats act like tuna toothpaste is killing them. Malt is okay.
I don't do Greenies anymore because my cat chopped his tooth on them 😦 I'm afraid it will happen again. I use temptations dental treats.
I do use dental gel and I do find it helps but I still brush a few times a week. The gel helped to remove some large pieces of tartar that built up on a cat before his dental cleaning.
PS. I appreciate that you provide your sources. I note that Jackson Galaxy and others that cite him, do not cite any references. It makes me feel suspicious of the information, especially when I see places such as the VCA recommends different things.
Thanks for the comment, BA! It's great that you can do the brushing and gel. I noticed that sometimes Mr. Muffin bites really hard on the Greenies and do worry a bit about him breaking a tooth.
@@9LivesToLive I've ordered some dental kibbles as you recommended. I found that Hills suits my cats allergies and the ingredients list is decent. The boys all tried it and liked it today. I'll mix it with their regular food to save money
@@9LivesToLive oh! We also provide and give silvervine sticks for chewing.
Thank you for sharing! I am unable to get my adult cats to get their teeth brushed. Like you said, you should start young.
So it sounds like keble just needs to be bigger in order to clean cats' mouths. Greenies are expensive and they have so much crud in them. I give my cats dry roaster beef lungs, they sell them for dogs - and I just cut them into smaller peaces. But thank you for your research and ideas!
Great advice, Thanks! Greenies are expensive. They only get those as treat, never as food.
Great research! I have also seen that there is an additive that you can add to cat's drinking water which is supposed to help. Over the years we have had several cats where their teeth have gotten so bad that 1 or more teeth have had to be removed!.
Thanks for the comment, Fat Cats! I have seen that water additive, but have not tried it. If anyone out there has, let us know if it works! I appreciate your comment!
@@9LivesToLive - I just purchased Oxyfresh the additive today. Gonna give it a try.
@@wephotogal Great! Let us know if it makes a difference!
@@wephotogal How did the water additive work out?
@@nibabi I feel like it helps a little with the breath, but it is unfortunately not a substitution for brushing their teeth.
So my older cat started howling like she is in pain in front of water bowls about a month ago. I am thinking it is a dental problem, but she has no problem eating sll types of good and treats. We are in a heat advisory and she goes out on the back patio occasionally, so water is especially important right now. She wants moisture from her food, so I am opening a lot of cans for her. When it is less moist she stops eating it. But after howling and hesitating, she will suddenly start drinking.
This seems to be a very mysterious issue in some older cats and a lot of very weird suggestions have been made, and crappy websites parrot them about static electricity and chemicals in the water supply but neither of these explain my cat's issue. (Water containers are nonconducting and she has the same reaction to distilled water.)
She howls less if I am in the same room with her, but still occasionally does it. It breaks my heart. Can the texture of the water hurt her while good does not?
That is odd. I have never heard that about drinking water.
My 10 year old male cat, on his last visit a few weeks ago, they pointed out his teeth and gums. Instead of forcing me into a cleaning, the vet recommended a couple of products for me to try. No way I'm attempting to brush his teeth, he will freak out. I don't want to stress him either. Lol
Fingers crossed 🤞🏻
Virbac CET Intellident Dental cat bites
Virbac CET Aquadent solution for the water bowl
Also, my vet left notes to try to brush his teeth 2-3 times a week if I can since he's never had that experience. Not 30 seconds a day, she was very realistic. My old cat loves me but he can get grumpy fast lol
Thanks! I'm going to ask my vet about those!
The one quibble I have with large kibble is a cat who tends to swallow his food whole, despite the size. One of mine got a kibble stuck in his throat and couldn't breathe. I finally put my finger down his throat, he gagged and up it came, but I have been afraid of large kibble ever since.
Good point! It's very important to know your cat.
The price for cat dental cleanings is vastly understated in this video and most articles I saw about it. A vet last week gave me a quote of $760-1,350. My 7-year old cat definitely needs 1 tooth extracted but I'm not so sure about the need for full dental radiographs (the most expensive part of the estimate, besides the actual cleaning). Any thoughts on the radiographs - necessary, or are the vets just trying to make more money?
Very helpful video, especially regarding the different factors that can help dental health. I never brushed my cat's teeth but he ate dry food all his life and had outdoor access for 3 years, during which time he did plenty of hunting. He always seemed very clumsy at chewing though, so I'm not sure if it was actually dental pain that I didn't deal with ☹Just this past week he came to me with 1 of his teeth (large bottom canine) suddenly pointing completely horizontal out of his mouth instead of vertical. seriously how does that even happen 😧The tooth doesn't feel loose, strangely enough, but it's now completely obvious that it's very painful, cat is drooling, can't eat dry food or groom himself properly. Of course I want to help him but the vet prices are unbelievable.
Thanks for the comment, Oksana. Certainly, dental cleaning can cost a lot. The numbers I have seen for routine dental cleaning with no complications or extractions ranges from $100 to $400. (www.pawlicy.com/blog/cat-dental-cleaning-cost/) But I have not called around to the vets in my area and maybe it varies by location. But I have seen that age and extent of the problem can change the cost considerably. I do not know if x-rays are necessary. But if I were you, I would call around to see if you can get a better price from another vet.
@@9LivesToLive hmm... How does age factor into it? I know there can be blood tests required to make sure the cat can undergo anesthesia, but do they really charge more for older cats?
Unfortunately, other vets won't give an estimate without their own evaluation, and that also adds up!
Wow! In France it is around 150 euros. Maybe try to go to another vet? How is that so expensive?
@@bambinaforever1402 I ended up taking my cat to the original vet and did a dental cleaning with 5 tooth extractions (yeah, apparently things were pretty bad w his teeth☹️). Paid $900 for the cleaning/extractions, plus $500 for the initial consultation, antibiotics and painkillers. Medicine for both humans and animals is insanely overpriced in the USA 😵💫
Just cost me $1100 Canadian for a cleaning and 4 tooth extractions. Never mind the cost of blood work leading up to this. $500 Canadian 😢
When I see my cat trying to break up a dental treat in his mouth (same as with yours) it looks way harder than it should be. I know human teeth are different, but we know it's not good for us to need to chew something as tough as that, and have such a hard time doing it. So I feel it can't be great for cats.
Can't the treat be slightly softer and more chewy and maybe it could leave a dental residue stuck around the teeth for a while, the same as chewing a toffee would?
I know. One of those bites looked really hard. I think it had a hard spot because most was ok. I think a chewy treat would not do the job. Thanks for the comment!
From experience with my half persian cat, and my vet's recommendation I have been feeding my cat 80% dry kibble as per my vet's opinion and every vet's opinion online, dry food doesnt get as stuck to teeth as wet food, and as a result Just now (my cat has just turned 5 years) now the vet recommend's cleaning under anesthesia. I also was brushing maybe once a week as I did not know it was important.. now i know and i brush every day. However, as dry is "better" for teeth, its actually damaging to the kidneys to have mostly dry food.. so I try to feed her wet food canned food or sometimes gravy (pouch).
It seems theres no perfect way to raise a cat.
I know. It's really hard. I give mine mostly wet food, but also give them some dry Hill's Oral Care dental kibble after a couple of meals to clean out some of the wet food.
I adopted my and he came to us with flu and then I noticed he had an issue with the back of his mouth, we kept an eye on his mouth and it started to become worse, so off he went to the vets where the vet said he had gingivitis, it then spread down his gum so we were given antibiotics, all seemed good after the medication but then his mouth started to become red again, so off he goes again to the vets, this time we were told that it was probably chronic gingivitis which was possibly caused by him having calicivirus prior to us adopting him, his teeth aren't dirty, they are pretty clean. We have now got him on plaque off which was okayed by the vet, he is also having oral biscuits at night, he has dental biscuits, we are also slowly introducing him to tooth brushing, his mouth does look a lot better in regards to the gingivitis.
It's great that you take the time to help him with the problem!
My vet is recommending a cleaning and i am little concerned about it, one the risks and two the costs, my cat has a little tarter built up on 2 of his teeth. he has stopped eating dry food completely and only prefers wet food now....what would you do? should we try toothbrushing first?
Depending on how much buildup there is, I think I would consider getting them cleaned, and then trying to slow down the tartar buildup with brushing or some other form of tartar control. Thanks for the comment, U Taug.
𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮
You're welcome,17G1RL
I have an 8 months Siberian kitten. I took her to the vet for a general checkup. The vet noticed all red gums. He said it was possibly teeth resorption! I thought that disease was normally seen in older cats, but a kitten? He recommended I take her to a specialist for a re-evaluation. Not sure why he jumped to that awful diagnosis instead of saying gingivitis or some simple treatable gum infection.
Wow! That is not good. I can't say, but maybe there are signs that it's resorption instead of other things.
I have a violent cat that won’t allow me to do much that includes brushing and petting her when I want to. It is always on her terms. I’ve tried touching her mouth she won’t go for that. I get all claws.
Yeah, with some cats it's just not possible.
I have two elderly cats that eat moist food only. they eat gravy lovers chicken flavor. They have never had their teeth cleaned and I have never brushed their teeth. They don't have any dental problems. I have a fairly young cat that has serious dental problems so now I'm researching this. She only wants to eat dry food.
Genetics has a lot to do with it. Some cats are just prone to dental problems.
I have stray cat staying at my house having this problem. She is not used to brush so its is a big problem to clean her mouth.
Yeah. Some cats will never get use to it.
Oratene is great and dental treats after as a reward
I have not heard of Oratene. I'll look into it. Thanks for the comment!
My cat has always eaten dry food and has always had healthy teeth however recently after going to the vet, it was pointed out that my cat had some yellowing of the back teeth. My cat has started having bad breath but I'm so worried my cat is in pain. Unfortunately, I cannot take her to the vet at this moment as I cannot afford this and I'm so worried.
Bad breath could be a sign of gingivitis. Save up your money to get a vet appointment when practical.
I do have a brush and tried several tooth pastes for cats yet she always pukes after I brushed her tooth. I tried to brush it without tooth paste and as expected, it doesn't seem to be effective. Did anyone had similar experiences and could give me some advice? Thanks a lot!
Try to use very little tooth paste. She might be swallowing too much.
Great video. So I dont need to clean the back o cats mouth į mean where iš the deep of the mouth, the last teeth?
Thats the most important parts of the teeth because its hard to reach
But I didnt see any person who talks about cleaning doing that I mean cleaning in the deep its almost impossible to reach. How? So until the gum line at least? Because the last teeth its very deep in mouth@@tensei1710
I think that the outside molars are most important. You do what your cat will allow without getting upset.
Yeah I need to get some dental care for my cat now. Since I started giving mostly wet food and softening the hard food cause he has a tendency to eat it too quickly and puke often, his mouth has gotten quite the buildup and some sad gums :/ . I was in contact with the vet but they told me to try some remedy on my own since - they are expensiiiiive. So I guess in one way - the vet was very nice to me and told me. I just hope now that with buying and testing some of these tips it will improve the mouth health - like - a lot. The cat is already a little suspicious of me cause he has a bit of this and that with his body and I have to keep on doing these remedies haha xD It's working but, yeah, the cat is like - "Oi - stopp"
I know! It's so hard to find the right balance!
I just noticed it on my cat peace bless him 😢😢😢
Sorry to hear that.
I have the same problem my ginger cat is drooling with stinky saliva now he doesn't want to eat food and keeps sleeping. Unfortunately we live in small town in Philippines and don't have veterinary hospital that offers dental prophylaxis. So i have to lookup from faraway city. I asked 5 different vets and i didn't know cat dental care is very pricey.
Yes, that is unfortunate. Dental care is pricey.
@@9LivesToLive Pricey than human
Kibble contains a lot of carbohydrates, which creates an environment that promotes bacterial growth. Germs love sugar. And the other health problems that can find m come with a diet that includes kibble shouldn't be taken lightly.
A raw diet that includes raw meaty bones and whole prey is ideal for overall health, including dental health. The bones scrape plaque, as does chewing chunks of meat.
However, i understand raw diets aren't for everyone. It is admittedly quite a bit more work and does come with a higher risk of causing illness, mostly in humans, since cats' digestive tracts evolved to handle higher levels of bacteria.
A good option I've discovered is silvervine sticks. My boy goes crazy for them. He crunches them up with his molars, uses his front teeth to nibble the bark off, and even licks them. They're a whole mouth experience, and he drools all over the floor every time i give him one, so i know it's stimulating saliva production, too. You can also put a little tooth gel on them if you find a flavor your kitty likes, and the brushing takes care of itself. They're really affordable, too. You can get 30 of them for under $5 on Amazon.
My guy only chews them, he doesn't eat them, so I've usually got a few twigs on my floor, but no big deal if the sticks do get eaten; it's just some added fiber.
The sticks are also similar to catnip, and generally cause a short burst of energy followed by sleepiness.
Thanks for the suggestion! I had not heard of silvervine sticks, but I will certainly check them out!
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My poor baby loves to eat, tiny cat huge appetite, now if only she'd actually CHEW on her food! She even "breathes in" the big dental snacks -.- but I won't give up ofc, so thanks for very helpful video and motivating comment section :)
Grad it was helpful. I think your cat will slow down in time.
Hi my cat has quite a lot of tartar build up, his teeth have a yellow-brown tint to them, and he has gingivitis. I’ve brushed his teeth for as long as I can remember but some days he would not let me because he doesn’t like it so much so unfortunately I haven’t been consistently brushing everyday :( also he only eats wet food for a really long time now because he had some urinary issues ages ago. Could this be the reason for his teeth or is it because of my brushing? Anyway, we are going to hopefully take him for dental scaling next month as it is expensive and we don’t have the money at the moment to do it right away. Will there be any issues of having to remove his teeth or will scaling be enough? I really hope the scaling is all we need for his teeth to be perfect and so he has good dental health :(
Please suggest anything you might think this is it’d be great help
Sometimes it's just genetics even when you do everything you can. I had to take Mr. Muffin in for a cleaning also. But I do think giving him a few hard (5 or 6) dental kibbles at night would help.
My cats eat dry and wet, the healthiest of all the cats has the worst teeth, he refuses to eat the dental treats. I'm trying to get him on brushing, but I think it might be too late. The degredation was very rapid.
Yeah, some cats have a genetic predisposition. Mr. Muffin has a problem, but my other two do not. All we can do is try our best.
Outdoor cats don't have toothpaste, and usually die before problems occur, that's why it isn't an issue for them
Yes, sadly many outdoor cats have very short lives.
I run the local Humane Society here. There are LOTS of things Jackson Galaxy gets wrong.
I'm not a fan.
Dental health is a major problem in cats. Especially feral/stray cats. In fact, Monday morning I'm having the two upper fangs removed of this precious eight-year-old 💔
Yes, it's a problem that is hard to control, especially if you only have the budget for inexpensive cat food.
My vet told me to use greenies as alternative to toothbrushing
Yes. That's one thing I use. Thanks for your comment, Anthony!
My vet disagrees
Is it normal if my cat’s gums bleed a bit when i brush her teeth? Her gums bleed everytime 😭even if i use the cotton buds😢😭
No. It's not normal. I suggest you take your cat to the vet for a tooth evaluation.
Best tip that worked for me:
- brush their teeth AND then give them a Lickable Cat Treat (they love those) ! AND only give you cat that treat when cleaning their teeth. Don't ever give them that treat in other situations. They will associate their favorite treat with cleaning their teeth. Mine doesn't run and comes running to me and pouring when i take out his toothbrush.
Extra tips:
- use small tooth brush and get a 360 one too that they can bite, so after cleaning with normal tooth brush you just squeeze their treat in the 360 one.
- if you cant hold him or moves too much. Is easier if someone helps you. Or you can wrap them like a burrito.
Thanks for the tips! I'm definitely going to try the Lickable Treats!
FINALLY! a critical thinker!
Thanks for the comment, Iona!
I have to wrap my cat in a towel for me to be able to even do this. The problem is she makes her mouth really tight so I struggle to open it sometimes. After a while she starts to growl and that's when I know I have to stop. I have to say though, it's a scary process.
Try just doing the outside with her mouth closed.