Author Topic: Brushing kitty's teeth  (Read 14859 times)

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Offline Pookie

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Re: Brushing kitty's teeth
« Reply #45 on: May 14, 2014, 11:31:19 AM »
Since cats dont chew their food, where does the cleaning enter the picture?  Mine dont gnaw.  They tear the big chunks up into smaller pieces and swallow.

I'm thinking that's where at least some of the cleaning happens.  And I would think the REAL cleaning happens when they eat/break up raw bones.

Would age also be a factor, at least to some extent?  I wouldn't think an older barn cat, for example, would be more likely to lose it's teeth if it's eating prey compared to a younger barn cat, but I'm speculating here.  So I'm not sure age would play a role, but . . .  :-\
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Offline Pookie

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Re: Brushing kitty's teeth
« Reply #46 on: May 14, 2014, 01:00:24 PM »
Just for fits and giggles, I thought I'd visit Dr. Hofve's site to see if she had any suggestions:  http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/dental-care-for-cats/

She thinks there's a large genetic component, too.   :(
« Last Edit: May 14, 2014, 01:06:11 PM by Pookie »
2-4-6-8  Please don't over-vaccinate!
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Offline Lola

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Re: Brushing kitty's teeth
« Reply #47 on: May 15, 2014, 03:14:31 AM »
I think there are a lot of factors... same as with humans. 

What they eat.
Care.
Age.
Genetics. 
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Offline Middle Child

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Re: Brushing kitty's teeth
« Reply #48 on: May 15, 2014, 04:42:48 AM »
Yes.

Offline Lola

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Re: Brushing kitty's teeth
« Reply #49 on: May 16, 2014, 01:17:25 AM »
I wanted to mention some signs of feline dental issues. 
Eating from the side of his/her mouth. 
Chattering...when not looking out the window at birds. 
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Offline FurMonster Mom

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Re: Brushing kitty's teeth
« Reply #50 on: May 18, 2014, 01:03:12 AM »
Question to FMM:  Are you still using that homemade dental cleanser with the aloe and hydrogen peroxide, and if so, did it work?

sigh... no.  Not brushing at all anymore. 
For the most part, everyone's teeth are in pretty good condition.  The exception is Belle and her FORLs.  I asked my vet if there was any correlation between diet and FORLs, and she said "they" really haven't found the cause.  It is not related to calcium or other vitamin deficiency.  The closest guess they have at this point is "genetics".  I'm not crazy about that answer, personally... but without anything else to go on...   :-\

... my vet warned against gauze as too abrasive. 

This seems odd to me, considering that a cat who subsists on a natural prey diet certainly chews on things much harder than gauze.   ::) 
Also, chewing on bones is supposed to be one of the dental benefits of a raw diet.   ;)
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Offline Middle Child

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Re: Brushing kitty's teeth
« Reply #51 on: May 18, 2014, 06:47:47 AM »
Meat and bones aren't anything like gauze.  Gauze is abrasive, I agree with my vet. :)