Teeth problems turn cats cranky

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 239, 12 April 1988, Page 9

Teeth problems turn cats cranky

A playful, loving cat can turn into a very cranky little rascal if dental problems arise. Nature provided cats with tools to compete and survive - including teeth and claws, even though felines rely more on teeth than claws for self-defence. A cat's teeth are also necessary to strip meat from bones and to cut food into chunks suitable for swallowing. The stomach does the rest. The feral cat - that is, a domestic cat gone wild or a cat born in the wild - seldom has dental problems. Cleansing comes with the mechanical action

of eating food caught „out there. Unfortunately, we can't say the same about cats raised in homes. Modern soft diets cause many dental problems. The most threatening oral problem facing your cat is the gradual build-up of tartar along its gum line. Mild inflammation of the gurns can develop as the start of major peridontal disease. What can you do to avoid costly and painful dental disease? Train your cat at an early age to eat dry foods. Encourage water drinking by adding salt to its diet. The moisture in canned soft foods

isn't enough for the bodily requirements of your cat. Teach your cat to tolerate a mouth inspection while it is young. Preventative teeth cleaning at our facilities helps. With an early start, your cat can become adjusted to a child's soft tooth brush, salt and soda for daily cleaning. Most cats won't tolerate a toothpaste made for humans. All of this may seem like a great deal of work. If so consider the alternative: bad breath, excessive drooling (which occurs when it's painful to close the mouth), and less eating which relates to pain instead of loss of appetite.