Common Feline Oral Health Issues: A Comprehensive Guide

Dogs often visit the vet for dental issues, as they tend to show off their adorable smiles and gleaming teeth by licking you. Cats, on the other hand, are less likely to exhibit such behavior, so you rarely catch a glimpse of their oral cavity unless they're meowing. Due to this, feline dental problems are often more about prevention. Let's delve into the issues you should be aware of.

Let's start with a common and somewhat embarrassing issue: halitosis.

Cats can experience bad breath due to two main categories of causes:

Dietary Habits.

Highprotein diets, longterm consumption of soft foods, or coprophagia can lead to residue that ferments in the digestive system, producing unpleasant odors that are then excreted through the mouth. When you get close to your cat's face, you might detect a smell that's anything but pleasant. You might wonder, "How can feeding highprotein food cause halitosis if the diet is balanced and doesn't lead to protein overload?" However, if you consistently feed your cat a diet rich in a single type of highprotein food, such as meat, you might notice halitosis. For instance, a diet consisting solely of meat over time can lead to this problem.

Illnesses.

Common diseases that can lead to bad breath include gingivitis, cheilitis, throat diseases, nasal diseases, dental diseases, and esophageal diseases. So, how can you prevent these issues? Primarily, by focusing on their diet. Avoid feeding hard bones that can pierce the gums or oral mucosa, leading to secondary infections and gingivitis. Also, steer clear of longterm feeding of liquids or soft foods, as these can cause oral residue, fostering bacterial growth and inflammation.

Water intake is another factor. Cats often prefer to drink water with a taste or flowing water, which is why you might see them drinking from faucets or even the toilet. It's best to discourage this behavior.

Even with these preventive measures in place (which can significantly reduce the likelihood of problems), there's still a chance your cat might develop dental issues.

So, when should you pay special attention to your cat's mouth?

Look out for signs such as difficulty eating, swallowing, drooling, frequent opening of the mouth, or a strong reaction when touching the cheeks. Any of these oralrelated abnormalities should prompt a checkup. If there's an issue, it's crucial to treat it promptly, as cats have a lot of oral mucosa. Secondary infections can severely impact eating and take a long time to heal. Delayed treatment might even require intravenous fluids.