| $ $ Regular Cat Teeth Cleaning: $150 - $400 | $ $ $ Special Dental Treatment: $500 - $1,500 |
Dental care and hygiene are essential for your cat’s health.
Just like human beings, cats need to take care of their teeth, and this means that owners should brush their teeth and take them to the veterinarian for an annual checkup.
Whether you’re thinking about getting a cat or if you want to know more about the dental health of the cat you already have, we’ll explain here some aspects about cat dental care and how much you can expect to pay for it.
Table of Contents
Is Cat Teeth Cleaning Important?
It’s very important!
Cats are domesticated pets, and they have been for thousands of years now.
Their diet has changed, as well as other aspects of their daily routine.
Their teeth can’t get the same natural cleaning they used to get when cats lived in the wild.
That’s why if their teeth are not properly cleaned, their health could be affected in the long term.
Plaque and tartar, which are made of bacteria could lead to oral infections, liver, kidney, or even heart disease.
Keeping your cat’s teeth cleaned should become part of your daily routine if you want to have a healthy cat that can live many years.
How Do I Know If My Cat Has Dental Problems?
Cats tend to be elusive, and when they feel discomfort or pain, it can be hard for owners to tell that something is wrong.
Nevertheless, there are a few signs that can help you notice if your cat has problems with the hygiene of its teeth:
Bad Breath
Your cat’s breath doesn’t have to be perfect, but if you note that its breath has changed for the worse, this could mean that it has a dental problem.
Yellow Plaque Or Tartar
Plaque starts to form when food gets stuck around or between the teeth.
If it’s not cleaned, then it transforms into tartar, which is bacteria and minerals.
This accumulates along the gum line, so you’ll be able to see it when you’re checking your cat’s mouth.
Swollen gums
This could be quite easy to spot.
If your cat starts to eat differently, trying to use only one side of its mouth, or with its head to the side, it could mean that its gums are swollen and hurting.
How Does The Vet Clean Cats Teeth?
The process of cleaning a cat’s teeth is quite similar to humans’ dental cleanings.
First, the vet will generally take a blood sample and X-ray of the cat’s mouth, to get a better look at its teeth and mouth structure.
Then, the veterinarian will proceed to sedate the cat and check its mouth in detail, as well as perform a proper cleaning with medical instruments.
You should take your cat at least once a year to the vet to get its teeth checked and cleaned.
How Much Does It Cost?
The price for cat teeth cleaning will be determined by how healthy the cat’s teeth are, and if it needs to have special treatment or procedure.
Considering that it’s an exhaustive process that needs blood tests, X-rays, anesthesia, just for regular dental cleaning, the cost is usually between $150 to $400.
If your cat already has a problem or disease that needs to be treated, the price could be around $500 to $1,500.
How Can I Keep My Cat’s Teeth Clean?
Although you still must take your cat for an annual dental checkup at your vet, you can still help to prevent discomfort or even major dental diseases at home.
There are special toothbrushes and toothpaste for cats, so you can brush your cat’s teeth daily.
If it’s not possible to do it that often, you should try and do it at least three times a week.
It’s always a good idea to talk with your vet first and ask what toothbrushes and toothpaste he or she recommends for your cat.
It’s also important to start with this routine when your cat is still a kitten, so it gets used to having someone touching its mouth early in its life.
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