Cat Teeth: 7 Natural Tips To Healing Cat Dental Problems
Your cat’s teeth, and their care are vital in terms of keeping your cat healthy and preventing disease. Periodontal (gum) disease is the number one diagnosed problem in cats; by the age of three, 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease. Lack of healthy teeth and gums can lead to heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, stroke and even diabetes. In this article I will cover the cat teeth anatomy, the causes of dental disease, and the most important natural solutions to keeping your cat’s teeth and gums healthy at home.
Cats start with deciduous (baby) teeth- similar to people. The teeth first erupt between the second to third weeks- at four months kittens start to lose these baby teeth, and gain the full number of 30 adult teeth by the ages of 6-7 months. Cat teeth are uniquely different from dogs; none of the teeth of cats have grinding surfaces. Cat’s have evolved to eat meat, and not chew or grind plant material.
Most dental problems happen after the adult teeth have formed. Plaque, a thin coat of bacteria, accumulates on the teeth, then it progresses to tartar, leading to gum inflammation. Bacteria also grows under the gum-line, causing gum infection (gingivitis) which can lead to tooth loss if not treated. Other dental problems include broken teeth, which can show as being painful to chew. Tooth root abscess are infections which form at the tooth root; they can cause swelling under the eye. Cats are prone to a specific type of dental problem called a FORL (Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesion). This is equivalent to a cavity where the tooth decays at the gum line.
The signs of dental disease in your cat are similar to people. These include bad breath (halitosis), reluctance to chew, redness at the gum line and visible tartar on the teeth. In advanced periodontal disease the teeth are loose, and may even fall out. Some cats may be ill and quite sick if the bacteria from the mouth has spread to other organs, such as the heart or liver. Often in cats, a local area of teeth discomfort can be found when a small amount of pressure is placed on the gum line next to an inflamed area of gums. Cats will typically ‘chatter’ their teeth in response to this, usually meaning a FORL is present.
The big question then is what can you do? Fortunately there are many things, and I want to give you my most effective natural remedies.
Dental Diet. If your cat is to eat kibble, ensure that it is a dry kibble with larger pieces that have to be chewed. Some food companies now produce specific dental diets which will lower tartar buildup. They are more abrasive on the teeth and some contain an enzyme which lowers tartar formation. These foods are available at your local veterinarian.
Natural Diets. Raw meaty bones and windpipes, ( ie chicken necks) can help keep teeth clean. Cats splinte pieces of bone, and are at risk of obstruction, so do not give him bones. To rule out the risk of Salmonella (a bacterial infection), put the bones or windpipes in boiling water for 30 seconds first.
Brush. The best way to keep your pet’s teeth clean is by brushing. Ideally this should be done daily, but twice a week is a good goal. Begin by rubbing your finger around your pet’s mouth. Flavor it with tuna to make it enticing for your cat. A finger toothbrush can be used (it fits around the end of your finger). Use pet toothpaste, for if swallowed it will not upset your pet’s stomach. Baking soda is another safe natural toothpaste. The electric toothbrushes are very effective and the long neck helps you get to the back premolars.
For cats with recurring gingivitis, lactoferrin can be helpful. The dose is 1/2 a 350 mg capsule daily mixed in syrup or baby food. Propolis is a product of honeybees and is an oral antiseptic. It is applied topically to the inflamed gums.
Vitamin C is used by many alternative practitioners for dental disease. It is an immune stimulant and helps the production of normal gum and teeth tissue. The starting cat dose is 100 mg daily. The starting cat dose is 100 mg per 10 lbs daily. If your pet gets diarrhea, lower the dose.
Plaque Off. This is a completely natural product which is suitable for cats. It is a special type of seaweed which has been found to have specific beneficial effects for oral care. It comes in a granulated form which is easily added to food every day. It is rich in natural iodine and contains important vitamins and minerals and is free from artificial colors, preservatives, gluten and sugar
There are a few herbs that can help your cat’s teeth. Calendula lotion can be used to heal ulcers in the mouth and promote healing of damaged tissue. Chamomilia can be used to decrease kitten chewing, alleviating some of the signs of teething pain. Myrrh can be mixed with water and applied topically to the inflamed gum tissue to decrease gum inflammation.
Now you should be able to understand the importance of keeping your cat’s teeth healthy, and recognize the signs and symptoms of dental disease in your cat. If you see red gums, visible tartar, bad breath, reluctance to chew, or a localized area of tooth pain then your cat likely has periodontal disease. There are many things you can be doing to prevent and natural treat your cat’s teeth problems; the most important remedies include, specific diets, brushing, the use of supplements, and certain herbs for gum inflammation.
Dr Andrew Jones
Thank you for the information. My six and eight year old cats currently live on the 3rd floor of a retirement complex. They do not come in contact with any other animals except on the very rare occasion when they need medical care. So I do not feel any immunizations are indicated. They both received kitten immunizations years ago but I do not feel there would be any benefit in subjecting them to the risk associated with immunizations now. Hopefully I will be able to maintain this living situation for many years and they will continue in their current level of health.
Where can I purchase the “Plaque off”? Lemo’s stores don’t seem to have anything to take off plaque. Can I use Plaque off & Vitamen C in my Chihauhau’s food as well? I read somewhere that vitamen C wasn’t a good thing to give to dogs, is that true? Thank you for all of your advise. Bari
I would like to know where to,purchase the plaque off I have 4 cats and do not want to take them to the vet for cleaning because the vet collapsed my dogs trachea with that tube they stick down their throat.
Hi Shirley
You can order Plaque Off online at:
http://www.plaqueoff.com/for-animals/
My cat has stomatis ,is there anything natural I can use. My vet wants to remove his teeth.
Hi Donna, when my cat had stomatitis, I switched to distilled water only and somehow the stomatitis went away.
With all due respect, Grace, distilled water is not to be consumed long term for any animals, including humans. Do some online research about it. And no, distilled water does not “cure” stomatitis.
thank you for this website! my cat has periodontal disease and I would like to purchase a natural safe product for pepper until I can afford a proper cleaning and live in Ontario. any suggestions? many thanks
My cat is not eating. 3 months ago his teeth was cleaned. Then about 2 weeks after, he started biting and tugging at my bed covers so I took him back to the vet and he gave him a rabies vaccine, purevax, and Depomedrol 20mg. Vwhen I took him homega, he wasn’t the same, slow moving and a little out of it. The vet said it was normal because of the shots. Okay so the shots wore off and he was eating, but he then started sneezing and spotting, so the vet gave me Azithromycin of which stopped the cold, but not he seems to no be able to chew his food. He will appear to be eating, then I noticed that he spits it out. He does drink water.
Does anyone have any insight. Before his teeth were cleaned, he was healthy, eating well, and vibrant. Now I’m afraid to take him back to that same vet.
If anyone has anything to add, please let me know. My Tyler is 8 years old.
Thank you.
Rhonda, it sounds to me like your vet damaged poor Tyler’s teeth. 🙁 I would take him to a different vet and get their opinion if I were you.
My cat has to have a tooth pulled and i’m trying to see if there is something natural that I can help his teeth and gums. I have cat toothpaste but I feel like there is more that I need to do. I read that cats can’t have baking soda. But here you say that I can. My vets says that it’s too late to do anything and it needs to be pulled. Please help!
I have a senior Maine Coon, he will be 30 yrs old on 7/16. Born in 1987. He has 1 long tooth in the front that is painful to him if I touch it. He eats well and I brush his teeth once a month. Is there anything natural that can help him. He is a big cat but very sweet. Hate his tooth hurts him. Help! >^.^<
We have a 21 year old cat. Yesterday we opened her mouth cause she wasn’t eating and pawing at her mouth and saw a bad tooth. My husband touched it and it fell out in his hand. She started eating and drinking water. My question is; what natural product can I get and put a couple of drops in her food to help with the tarter?
I feed an old cat 5hat paws at her mouth when I feed her and she tugs out white saliva with her paw. She really smells bad. I live in Japan so, I can only imagine the cost of a vet. Is there something I can give her to get rid of whatever it is.
Hello everyone,
Plaque Off can be purchased on Amazon.
There are two “different” ones. One is marketed for cats & costs about $27 and another for dogs at about $16. The ONLY difference is the cat one has brewers yeast which most cats love the taste. I’ve used both and my cats didn’t mind either one and so I buy the one for dogs to save money. I mix it in their wet food.
Remember with any supplement or new food to slowly increase the dose. Start with a small partial dose and work up to a full dose. Watch for side effects.
Brewers yeast is CHEAP & it lowers blood sugar in animals and people. But, there’s probably not enough in this supplement to affect blood sugar. But watch for signs like depression, lethargy, difficulty walking (hind legs dragging). The likelihood is minimal. So, don’t worry just be vigilante with cats & dogs.
As always, have your cat or dog seen before starting a supplement.
Oh, also because of its high iodine content make CERTAIN to watch for thyroid symptoms!!!! Have a test done beforehand to make sure your pets thyroid is normal. Test during use to make sure the thyroid remains normal.
Some people reported that their (male) cat developed bladder crystals, stones or an infection while taking Plaque Off. Moreover, cats with a predisposition or prior history of bladder crystals, stones, infections or blockages were at a much higher risk of developing those urinary issues again. So, best to be able to take your cat or dog in for a check up before and while taking this AMAZING supplement.
My cat’s gums went from bright red and bleeding to pink and very little intermittent bleeding! Certainly a wonderful supplement that truly works!
Remember, stomatitis (I think I spelled that wrong), gingivitis and other oral diseases are VERY painful for your pet! So, please try something. Plaque Off is great but do use other things as well like vitamin C, gentle brushing and so forth. A raw diet is best. Please stop dry kibble if possible. Human grade wet food is second best next to raw. Freeze dried raw is a great place to start.
Carbs found in dry kibble and most commercial wet foods is a leading cause of tooth decay, gum inflammation and disease.
Best of luck everyone!
My cat has FORL and tartar.
I serve boiled soft flesh of fish. my cat can’t eat fish bone or other non soft raw flesh and organs…it will make my cat nutrition-unbalanced..
nowdays i only feed water soaked soft Natural balance ultimate chicken and salmon kibbles..
..
I can’t apply your curing method to my cat because he can’t eat hard food..that is the real problem….
Is removing the tartar only the best way? but I was told that FORL cat can’t undergo tartar removing method, because the vibration of ultrasonic scaler will damage my cat’s gum and tooth.. right?
What should i do? I don’t think that the herb can’t cure the real problem…
First of all everyone needs to think about how Animals behave in the wild! Just because we “domesticate” them doesn’t mean their wild natural behavior dsappears; it never will… Stop vaccinating, first of all, beyond puppy/kitten vacs, be sure to space them out and only give ONE at a time! Wait at least 2 weeks before allowing vet to give another! After initial vacs DON’T allow anymore! The immune system WILL build antibodies from that point on. Leave their poor bodies alone!! Vaccines do more harm than good! FACT. ALL Disease, ADD, AUTISM, AUTOIMMUNE PROBLEMS, ETC!!! Again they’re UNnatural, they’re an assault on Animals and humans even though western “drs” will NEVER admit this because billions of dollars are more important than actually honoring the Hippocratic Oath!!! What Animals NEED is the same thing, or as close as we can come, as they’d get in Nature! Processed food, vaccinations, flea and tick treatment (totally toxic!!! Just sprinkle garlic POWDER on food, starting with small amount in beginning. Blood suckers are REPELLED by simple garlic!) and all lab produced things are harmful CRAP that generate tons of profit! Do right by your pets, your children, yourselves and live as naturally as possible. Feed/eat whole, organic (pesticide, herbicide, fungicide, GMO FREE) foods, drink purified water, get OUTSIDE, breathe FRESH air, move your bodies, don’t vaccinate, LET the Immune System do, without medicine (!!!), what it was designed to do billions of years ago! Without the above our bodies don’t know how to react, toxins build up, we get inflammed then disease starts, and so on!! It truly is simple. Research Research Research.
This is crazy advice. Vaccines have helped humans and animals live MUCH longer than “in the wild”. Over vaccinating is to be avoided, but the basic kitten/puppy shots and a rabies vaccine are going to protect your animals from deadly diseases from which they can suffer and die if unvaccinated.
This isn’t an all or nothing. Vaccines are a powerful tool. It should be considered animal abuse to let them fend for themselves when we have this technology. Next you’ll be saying that we should go back to drinking untreated water and uninspected meat, because that’s how we did it in the old days.
There is such a thing as progress. Don’t be hysterical and throw out the baby with the bath water.
Garlic, onion, chives, leeks are well-known to be toxic to cats! Something seeming innocent as “natural” is not always safe for pets. Using garlic powder is even more concentrated and may cause serious health issues or even death to your cat.
Hi Alice, if you’ve read any of Dr. Jones’ thoughts on garlic, he’s found the worry about garlic is overblown. He’s stated several times that not once in 20 years of practice did he see a case of garlic toxicity in either a dog or cat. This from pubmed – regarding dogs and garlic ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30497454/ ):
“Safety and efficacy of aged garlic extract in dogs: upregulation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway and Nrf2-regulated phase II antioxidant enzymes”
“Conclusion: The long-term oral administration of AGE at a dose of 90 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks did not show any adverse effects in dogs. Furthermore, the administration of AGE upregulated the gene expressions of canine Nrf2 and Nrf2-regulated phase II antioxidant enzymes. These results suggest that AGE might safely contribute to the health of dogs provided that the appropriate dosage is used.”
At higher levels garlic and onions can be toxic, but there is a long history of safe use in both cats and dogs (Dogs 22 mg/kg HSI (Historical Safe Intake) – there is a long history of safe use in dogs. Cats 17 mg/kg HSI: https://www.nap.edu/resource/12461/satety_of_dietary_supplements_final.pdf )
I keep reading about the idea of brushing cats’ teeth. Although it might have the desired result, how in the world could someone EVER convince a cat to let them brush their teeth?
We have five indoor cats, one indoor-outdoor cat, and two outdoor cats that actually supposedly live somewhere else, although they are at our house most of the time.
Our youngest cat is five years old, and all of the cats are extremely difficult to even manage to give a pill to, yet alone convince them to sit passively once a day while you brush their teeth.
The youngest one DOES have gingivitis, and she has had three shots, which likely contain prednisone, which has helped, but is now not working as well.
We are horribly concerned about her, but are looking for a long-term solution.
I don’t understand why cats are now having these problems with gum disease that apparently were not common until recent years.
Please look up the list of things that are toxic to cats. Garlic is toxic to cats. Please get your advice from veterinarians or legitimate websites, and don’t just start using homeopathic treatments suggested by strangers in a comment section. Please.