All about cat dental care and oral health

Dental disease in dogs and cats

Danger signs that may mean pain or infection.

Signs of dental disease
Cats lying on the floor yawning and relaxing

How to brush cat (and dog!) teeth

Yes, you can do it! See our step-by-step tips.

How to brush

doctor checking dog teeth

Professional dental cleanings

How and why dental cleanings can help oral health. Why cleanings count

Commonly asked questions about cat dental care

A:

For unknown reasons, many older domestic cats reabsorb the structure of their teeth. We can’t prevent it, but we can help make your cat more comfortable if it happens. Talk to your veterinary team about recognizing the signs and how we can help.

A:

Dogs and cats aren’t quite as good as people at keeping their mouths open for dental cleanings, and their teeth are way sharper. Anesthesia helps us safely examine and clean their entire mouth Watch our video on professional dental cleanings

A:

Our industry-leading anesthetic protocols have been developed with veterinary anesthetic specialists. We prioritize keeping your pet safe and comfortable throughout their dental cleaning, just like we do all other procedures under anesthesia.  See our video on anesthesia

A:

Ideally, yes! Good home dental care helps support all the benefits of a full professional dental cleaning, just like it does for people before and after they see the dentist. How to brush your pet’s teeth

A:Although we can tell quite a bit from your awake pet’s mouth, we can’t take a full look until your pet is under anesthesia. That’s when we can take radiographs, examine under the gumline, check the back of their mouth, and explore all the little nooks and crannies where disease might hide. 

If we do find evidence of additional dental needs (and costs), we’ll always reach out to discuss what next steps we recommend. It’s really important to keep your phone handy during your pet’s procedure because it’s often simpler (and less expensive) to address these dental issues while your pet is already under anesthesia instead of needing a new surgical appointment.
A:

They sure do. Regular veterinary oral exams and professional teeth cleanings can help tackle the buildup of smelly, sticky tartar on your cat’s teeth, helping the cat you love avoid painful periodontal disease, tooth loss, and truly stinky kitty breath.

A:

Yes, but only toothpaste that’s specifically made for cats! Human toothpaste can be dangerous for them.

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Periodontal disease at any stage is a very common dental problem found in cats. It begins with plaque that can turn into tartar that’s impossible to clean with brushing. The tartar can lead to gingivitis (infected gums) and even tooth loss.

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