Cat Gingivitis
Gingivitis is an inflammation of your cat’s gums. Food particles and bacteria become trapped beneath the gums and cause infection. Gingivitis makes it difficult for your cat to eat and, if left untreated, can lead to severe gum disease.
Cat Gingivitis Symptoms
Your cat may have gingivitis even if it shows no difficulty in eating. Inspect your cat’s mouth and look for the following symptoms:
- Red, receding gums
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
Cat Gingivitis Treatment
Daily brushing is an important way to prevent the onset of gingivitis. If you start brushing your cat’s teeth at a young age, it will quickly become accustomed to the process. Use toothpaste especially formulated for cats, like C.E.T. Cat Toothbrush with Sample Poultry Flavor Toothpaste. Apply with a baby toothbrush or a finger brush included in a kit like Sergeant's Petrodex Dental Care Kit for Cats.
To maintain your cat’s dental health, avoid moist food and instead serve a high-quality dry food. There are many brands of dry food that promote dental health, such as Friskies Dental Diet for Cats. Feline “mouth wash,” such as TropiClean Fresh Breath Oral Care Water Additive, and crunchy treats like DermaPet Dentee Stars and Chews DentAcetic Pet Treats can also prevent plaque buildup.
If your cat has severe gingivitis, your veterinarian may recommend a thorough teeth cleaning conducted under anesthesia at his/her office.
About National Pet Pharmacy
National Pet Pharmacy is your pet health superstore. From prescription only pet medications to organic cat food, National Pet Pharmacy knows that pet health is more than just medicine; it is pet supplies, pet beds and pet food. From whiskers to tail, National Pet Pharmacy cares for your whole pet.
Related Articles
Search for More Information
Search over 10,000 Pet Health Articles