Feline dental care - what do you do?

[AZBlue]

My Maggie is about 3 now and is going to the vet this month for a check-up. I figure this year or next year will be about the time they start talking about teeth cleaning. I'm not a fan of anesthesia for just cleaning, so I try to keep Maggie's teeth clean without it.

I give her Friskie's tartar control treats, but I'm not really wild about that. I know Friskie's is an ok brand, but I'd prefer something natural. I've looked around but haven't found anything - does anyone know of one? Or, do you have any other ideas on keeping a cat's teeth clean? I'm not sure about brushing them myself - it might work or it might be a disaster. She's a pretty good cat - for example I clip her nails with no trouble. But, a toothbrush and toothpaste may be more than she's willing to put up with from me.

Thanks! :hi:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

1. You might try using one of those finger brushes

They're soft and you can put a bit of paste on there and rub your kitty's gums with it. Our cats don't like having their teeth brushed, but I manage to get the job done with a brush. I also attempt to use a scraper to get any stubborn tartar off, which can be challenging, but occasionally successful. I would suggest getting the finger brush and a regular cat toothbrush and just giving it a try. You can spend a few minutes each day just getting her used to the idea and give her lots of reinforcement so she won't associate it with bad stuff. Good luck!

[AZBlue]

3. Good idea - maybe I'll pick up a finger or regular brush and just ease her into it.

Start with a dry brush and work my way up. Thanks!

[lizerdbits]

2. Regular vet cleaning is practically my only option for Max

He has quite a bit of tartar and I give him chews for it but it's not a complete solution. I tried to rub stuff on his teeth and almost lost my hand, and he peed outside his box to show his feelings about it. He's about 10 so they vet always does blood work before anesthesia to make sure everything is OK, apparently that's only an issue with the older ones.

I hope Maggie will be more receptive to having you do that!

[AZBlue]

4. It's good to know they can do blood work first - I'll keep that in mind if the need arises.

I had a dog who had a reaction to anesthesia while being spayed and died during the surgery, so it's something I want to avoid if at all possible. Luckily though, Maggie has been spayed, so I already know she's not allergic or overly sensitive to it - and if I have to have it done, a blood test would make me feel better going into it! Thanks!!

[Eurobabe]

5. Nothing, my cats are indoor guys, one is 16

the other is 8. I've never had their teeth cleaned. I personally think it is a scam. My cats are very healthy. They eat Royal Canin (made overseas) and Yarrah organic wet food.

I never gave my boys treats for tartar or any other reason, never brushed their teeth.

Just my own opinion. :hi:

[Samurai_Writer]

6. I had Sterling's teeth cleaned for the first time last year

He's 12 1/2 now. The vet said that with Persians, they do seem to build up tartar more than other cats, because of the shape of their face. I was really nervous having him go under anesthesia, but he did fine. They also shaved him while they had him under. He's going next week for his annual checkup and we will see how his teeth are this year.

[MrsMatt]

7. Tried to brush Stanley's teeth

because he had such horrible smelling breath. He hated it, and we decided that it was too much for us to have to handle 15 pounds of furious feline in order to continue. We can't give him any treats, because he has a sensitive stomach and throws up if he is given food other than his normal food (Organix & Wellness).

We brought him in last month to have one tooth removed (he's only 4 1/2 years old), and a cleaning. The vet ended up extracting 4 additional teeth - when he tried to clean the teeth, they started to fall out! We'll have to have more removed next year. Our vet says that he thinks Stanley's dental problems are genetic, and there isn't much we can do to stop the loss (figure he'll have no teeth left by age 10).

[CC]

8. After Ayja was in to get his teeth cleaned

and lost two my vet recommended Pet Oral Hygiene Solution. I now give it to all the cats, dogs and ferrets. It has really helped keep their teeth clean and breath bearable. I also use the pet gel on the older animals that went so long with out it. It has been two years now and none of them have had to get dental cleaning from the vet. Ayja and Karma used to have to have their teeth cleaned yearly.

[AZBlue]

9. I'd heard about something like that but never saw it - thanks for the link!!

[grasswire]

10. I was just reading about using aloe vera gel...

....to eliminate plaque and gum troubles in cats. You might want to google that. I don't know how it works, but am also tempted to use it on myself! Hey, why not?

[xultar]

11. I use those tartar control treats...MAN THEY WORK. After I got a dental on one

of my cats, I started using them like 6 years ago and I haven't had to do a dental since.

If I were to brush my cat's teath I'd be a walking mass of shredded meat.

[AZBlue]

12. You know, apparently they do!

I posted this question because I've been giving them to her and wasn't sure how effective they were. But, this week I had to take her to the vet because she wasn't feeling well - and the doctor went on and on about how clean her teeth were!

I may try the brushing idea, but I'm afraid I'll end up "a walking mass of shredded meat" too (excellent description, BTW!).