Your kitten’s pearly whites bring them a lot of joy—they use their teeth for catching toys, eating treats and grooming. Your young cat needs your help keeping their teeth healthy so that these activities remain fun and pain-free.
While cavities (dental caries) are uncommon in cats, around 50 to 90% of cats over 4 years of age have periodontal disease,1 which is inflammation of the tissues in their mouth. This condition can progress to pain and tooth loss. Plaque can harden into tartar, which must be professionally scraped away, within 48 hours.
The best way to protect your young cat’s teeth is by brushing them at least once daily. The absolute minimum to help remove plaque and prevent tartar accumulation is at least 3 times a week. You should try to brush each side for at least 30 seconds. Make sure to only use pet toothpaste.
Brushing your pet’s teeth also allows you to note other concerns, such as abnormally large amounts of bleeding during brushing, oral masses or unpleasant odors.
Even with tooth brushing, most pets would benefit from a professional cleaning at least once yearly. Your VCA care team can let you know if your pet is a good candidate for a professional cleaning. Dental cleanings can also be added on to your CareClub® plan.
Other tips for maintain your pet’s oral health include:
- Providing dental treats that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)
- Using VOHC-approved water additives
- Feeding a prescription dental diet
- Using dental wipes or gels, especially in cats who do not accept tooth brushing
While we hope you’ve been brushing your kitten’s teeth already, it’s never too late to start.
Learn how to train your pet to accept tooth brushing.
CareClub Memberships are preventive pet health care plans and not pet insurance. CareClub Membership covers only the selected health care services and products which are specifically identified in the applicable CareClub Membership agreement.
