Feline dental care

Plaque is the gooey stuff that forms on everyone's teeth between brushings. It is a mixture of bacteria, minerals from saliva, and gummy food particles. Soft at first, plaque gradually hardens and turns brown. The hardened material is usually called tartar. As more forms, it gets up under the gums, carrying infection. In time, the teeth loosen and become painful. Eventually they fall out.

Simple things you can do while your cat is young and healthy make a big difference later on.   

Brush your cat's teeth (if possible)
We have little kitty toothbrushes and toothpaste, and can tell you how to brush your cat's teeth.  Many owners do this successfully.

Feed a good dental diet
Science Diet Feline Oral Care (from the pet store) and Hill's Feline t/d (from the veterinarian) require a lot more chewing than ordinary cat foods and are much better for the teeth .  

Use C.E.T. Aquadent
Aquadent added to your cat's drinking water produces a huge improvement in mouth health.  It reduces plaque and tartar formation and improves mouth odor.  Introduced in the summer of 2006, it promises to be a major aid in maintaining dental health for both cats and dogs. 

Aquadent clinical study
Acrobat download

Use enzyme-treated dental chews
In addition to using Aquadent, give one or two enzyme-treated dental chew biscuits every day. CET Chews for Cats are available from veterinarians and are not the same as the little dental biscuits you see in the grocery store.