Your feline friend’s oral health is just as important as yours. But unlike when you have issues with your teeth, they aren’t able to tell you when something’s wrong. So how do you know what tell-tale signs to look out for? The most common symptoms are:
- Bad breath
- Gum inflammation
- Ulcers on the gums
- Excessive pawing at the mouth
- A difficulty to chew and eat
- Bleeding gums
Once you notice any of these above symptoms, you should take your cat to the vet immediately to diagnose the issue. However, it’s important that you try to maintain your cat’s oral health before these issues take over.
What Should I Feed Them?
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A cat’s oral health can be maintained by brushing their teeth regularly, taking them to the vet for checkups and feeding them suitable cat food. But what is the best type of food for them? Cats can thrive on a wide range of cat food – whether it’s wet or dry food. In particular, however, grain-free food is recommended as the best for cat oral health.
To maintain good oral health, many vets also recommend to give your cat treats. Now, although many commercial products guarantee to clean their teeth, it won’t combat issues such as gingivitis. The most effective way to prevent this condition is to give your cat treats which rub directly on their gums whilst they eat – for example, a piece of raw chicken.
Food Supplements
Alongside a healthy diet, many veterinarians will recommend supplements as a way of preventing dental issues. Examples of which are natural food-based antioxidants and probiotics. Working to reduce inflammation in the mouth, they minimise the progression of periodontal disease.
Of course, before you put your cat on these supplements it’s vital that you ask your vet for recommendations to ensure that they are suitable – as well as checking that they aren’t allergic to them. Used alongside their food, they are a preventative measure that could benefit your feline in the future.
Final Thoughts
So, there you go! Those are our recommendations as to what you should feed your cat in order to maintain their long-term oral health. Of course, all cats are different – and they all have their own preferences as to what food they like. Therefore what will work for some, might not work for others. Their oral health should be taken seriously, but it’s also a learning curve – so it’s advisable to check with your vet and ask their advice before taking action.
Barking Heads Cat Food
At Barking Heads, we have a wide range of cat food available that is suitable. Helping to maintain a good level of nutrition, our dry and wet cat food is high-quality and can be used in conjunction with a healthy diet. With grain-free options, you’ll be able to find a cat food that will help to maintain their oral health.
