Your kitty’s oral health is extremely important to her overall health and well-being. Just like people, cats can suffer from some very painful and dangerous dental problems. Of course, Fluffy can’t tell you if her teeth hurt, so it’s up to you to watch for warning signs. A local Roanoke, VA vet lists some common ones in this article.
Drooling
While some of our canine pals are a bit slobbery, cats don’t usually drool. However, sometimes dental issues can cause them to drool.
Dribbling Food
You may notice changes in your cat’s eating habits. Your feline buddy may dribble food out of her mouth, chew on one side of her mouth, take longer eating, or eat less than usual. She may also start showing preferences for softer foods.
Tartar Buildup
Visible tartar buildup is a definite indication that Fluffy needs a deep cleaning, at the very least. That gunk is also often a sign of gum disease. Gum disease is very common in cats, and afflicts as many as 90 percent of kitties over aged four. This is very dangerous, as the bacteria can spread to Fluffy’s vital organs through her bloodstream, and can contribute to other issues, such as heart disease.
Bad Breath
Bad breath is another indication of dental issues in cats. If Fluffy’s breath is foul, she may need her teeth looked at.
Weight Loss
We mentioned above that dental issues can cause cats to have difficulty eating. If you’ve ever tried to chew with a toothache, you can understand why! This can actually lead to malnutrition and weight loss.
Grumpiness
Dental issues can be very painful, if not outright debilitating. It’s no surprise that Fluffy may be a bit cranky. Your furry buddy may also withdraw.
Unkempt Fur
Healthy cats are very diligent about keeping their fur in order. However, if your kitty is sick or in pain, she may not feel up to her usual beauty routine. Her fur will soon start looking matted or greasy if this happens.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, contact your vet right away. Kitties tend to try to hide signs of weakness, so you may not notice anything is wrong until the issue has gotten quite severe.
Please contact us, your Roanoke, VA vet clinic, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!
