Taking care of your pet's health is like caring for your own, where feeding and putting a roof over their heads isn't enough. They need a proper hygiene routine just like us, and brushing or cleaning is critical. Take the next step for your pets' hygiene and follow these ten practical and helpful tips for your cat. Some of these tips are preventive measures you should definitely know about to keep your feline friend's health in check.
Taking your cat to the vet is as necessary as going to the dentist every few weeks for a checkup. Now, you don't necessarily have to take them as regularly as you do because they are more resilient, so at least an annual checkup is recommended.
The visit will allow you and the vet to assess your furry friend’s overall health and see if something needs immediate attention. Please don't wait on it, as you don't want them to have serious dental problems, which may cost way more than intended.
It isn't as prominent when they are young and starts showing signs of bad health once they are over two years old. Tartar starts building up, you can smell their bad breath, and if you look closely, you will see their gums swollen.
It is vital to observe these indications because if ignored, they can cause difficulties for them and heavy medical bills for you.
Mind you, it isn’t regular like we do, which is twice a day. You can brush your cat’s teeth every 3rd or 4th day because it isn’t easy to get hold of them to perform the brushing. You might want to add a bit of flavor to their brush first or let them touch their teeth.
You can train them to sit and let you inspect them by following some typical training tricks found online that they use for different pets. Brushing their teeth is an invasive practice for them, so they need to feel comfortable first if they let you perform it in peace.
You can do so much to brush and ensure they remain clean, so you must take them regularly for a scaling or dental cleaning. It is costly but much more accessible because your cat will be under anesthesia, and they won’t feel a thing or fuss about it.
Pets don’t know how to communicate about the pain they are experiencing, mainly due to bad teeth care or hygiene. They might already have been going through the pain for months on end. There are visual indicators like losing appetite, being lethargic more often, or sometimes getting irritated, but it may be due to their old age.
So, instead of leaving things to chance, follow the tips regarding regular visits to the vet to have them checked.
Many owners have experienced these bones and have seen significant improvement in their pets’ health. They are designed to remove tartar or plaque from your furry friend’s teeth while also tasting really good. It also becomes a good exercise for their teeth.
You can search for them online, and there are many options available in flavor, shape, and size. Your pet’s vet will also have some good recommendations on what their other patients found relief from, so don’t forget to ask for a good pair for your cat.
There is dental food that your cat’s vet can recommend that is designed to minimize the accumulation of tartar and plaque. Furthermore, their texture closely resembles the bristles of a toothbrush. When your cat is eating them, it slowly removes excess tartar while eating. They are also known to slow down the accumulation process. It is recommended to mix them with regular cat food in a 3 to 1 ratio so they don’t go off a regular diet.
There are situations where a typical overview or checkup just isn’t enough, as there might be underlying long-term issues. Only taking X-rays of your pet can give you the actual picture. More than 20% of cats had the disease when observed through X-rays. The disease amount increases for pets having abnormal teeth, so you must take such precautions regularly.
Another great tip is to add water additives like Potassium sorbate, Sodium citrate, etc., to your pet’s diet. They are great in plaque and tartar reduction and improve their gut health. Furthermore, they also don’t allow them to build up again. Do you know the best part? Your cat’s breath will smell really nice, and you will cuddle with them more often.
Water is the essence of life; even day-old water may have bacteria that aren’t healthy for your cats. So, keep fresh water in their bowls and replace it daily. Don't forget to wash their bowl every couple of days as you don't want mold to develop even if you don't see it immediately.
Having bad breath is an underlying indication of many issues, but the prime time is when they don't have access to clean and fresh water. Now, the more fresh water they drink, the better their gut health will be and the more friendly they can become.
It goes without saying that we all love our furry friends because they are cute and cuddly, even if they seem elitist or pompous. Probably most of us love them for that. Nonetheless, giving them treats, a warm and soft bed to sleep in, and lots of love is essential, but their dental care is no less.
So take a cue from these simple and effective tips and enhance your feline friend's health. Understandably, we see devastating effects if humans don't brush their teeth regularly. Imagine how bad it will be for those who can't express their pain and feelings.
