Cats are very reliant on their teeth. Unlike humans cats are obligate carnivores which means that they need meat or fish to survive. This is because only in meat and fish can cats get access to the complete proteins that they require for healthy growth and wellbeing.
One of the side-effects of being so reliant on a meaty diet is that a cat’s teeth have evolved to be very specialised. A cat’s tooth is a finely tuned device for killing prey and tearing into meat, and so they are to some extent essential tools of the trade.
Unlike humans, when a cat develops problems with their teeth they can’t tell anyone, and instead it is the responsibility of the owner to be able to identify a dental problem. Better still, cat owners should have in place a rigorous procedure for caring for their cats teeth.
Plaque is a common cause of dental problems in cats, and so just as in humans regular brushing of the teeth can keep plaque at bay. Vets are well trained to clean a cats teeth under general anaesthetic however this procedure can be relatively dangerous, and so you should try and clean your cat’s teeth at home too.
This can be done with a child’s toothbrush, and you can even get edible toothpaste suitable for your pet. You can get lots of pet care products as well as lots of different advice and guidance on Hills Pets. Hills Pets specialise in pet care, and especially the care of cats.