Simple And Effective Methods To Ensure Feline Dental Care

It is interesting to note that nature has its own ways of ensuring the dental care of felines. Such natural protection from dental diseases is mainly attributed to a cat's real, wild nature of nutrition. So while you may have to depend on scientific spaying & neutering techniques, flea control methods and vaccination shots for cats, you may rest assured that dental care of cats is something that you can manage on your own.

Natural Nutrition Equals To Natural Dental Care

Cats in the wild live on small animals and birds that they hunt down. After capturing a prey, these cats have to tear through a thick mass of skin and bones before reaching the fleshy parts. While the routine of chasing and hunting keep the cats healthy and agile, the aggressive eating sessions keep the cat's teeth free from sticky bits, plaque and dental diseases. However, this means that only wild cats would be naturally protected from dental diseases.

The domestic cats of today cannot access these natural dental care techniques due to their new habits of nutrition. Nowadays, the menu of a household cat is limited to cans of manufactured cat food. Since cat food contains well-minced meat products, there is nothing much available for the cat to tear apart and munch on. As a result, the cat is often left with sticky bits on its teeth after a meal. These food remains that support bacterial growth may soon lead to grave dental care concerns like tooth decay or gingivitis.

Feline Dental Care - What You Can Do

Caring for your cat's teeth begins by familiarizing the cat with a regular routine of brushing teeth. You can start out by inserting your finger in a treat that the cat loves and then making the cat lick the stuff off your finger. While it is busy relishing the treat, try gently rubbing its teeth and gums. If the cat does not seem to mind that, make it a point to praise him profusely and rub its teeth in a similar way everyday.

After a while, you can further the cat's dental care by wrapping a piece of gauze around your finger and scrubbing its teeth with that. When the cat is quite used to this, you may substitute the gauze with a real toothbrush. Since most cats may not actually like the feel of a toothbrush in their mouth, you must first familiarize the cat with the toothbrush before beginning to brush with it. Either, let the cat play around with the toothbrush or offer a treat on the brush for it to lick. Soon the cat will be accustomed to the feel of toothbrush in its mouth.

Finally, it is time to get your cat something special - a pet toothpaste that tastes like meat. Before you begin brushing its teeth, offer the cat a bit of the toothpaste to lick. Your cat's dental care regime will be most effective once you begin to brush all its teeth regularly. Remember - just as you keep yourself updated about new flea control treatments or vaccination shots for your cat, it is similarly important to spend some time to contribute to its dental care.