SAVE 10% ON CAT DENTAL CARE
It's Pet Dental Care Awareness month. So now that you are aware we want you to save 10% on your pet's dental exam and treatment. Click here for coupon >>
Kitty Corner - Just for Cats and Cat Owners
Kitty Breath or Dental Disease
February is National Pet Dental Health Month
As veterinary medicine continues to make advances in preventive health care for our companion animals, more and more veterinary clinics and hospitals have been trying to educate their clients on the importance of oral health. That is why there is now and entire month dedicated to reaching out and spreading the word to pet owners everywhere that our furry friends need dental care too.
Any cat lover knows that their kitty's breath can certainly be something to cringe about. But how do you know if it's just a normal cat breath or something to be concerned about? This question can sometimes be more difficult for cat owners to tackle as opposed to dog owners. Dogs pant regularly and, in general, have larger mouths than cats which can make it easier to spot a problem in the mouth early. Our feline friends however, do not usually pant or open their mouth wide, making regular visual checks a little bit harder. Here are a few recommendations for determining if your cat may be suffering from dental disease:
1) Schedule a visit with your veterinarian
While it is recommended that every pet have an annual exam done every year, if you suspect that your kitty may be having oral health issues, schedule and exam right away.
2) Attempt to look into your cat's mouth
You can ease your cat into this by starting with just lifting the lip. If your cat is accepting of this, try to visually inspect
all of the teeth, especially the back molars and premolars. Look for things such as noticeably bad breath, red and/or swollen gums, a yellow-brown crust of tartar around the gumline, or pain and/or bleeding when you touch the gums or parts of the mouth. These can all be signs of sometimes serious dental health issues.
3) Observe your cat while he or she eats.
Does your cat only chew on one side of the mouth? Does your cat seem to struggle with chewing? Does your cat drop food out of the mouth while attempting to chew? Does your cat suddenly refuse to eat hard food?
All of these observable behaviors can indicate dental disease.
All of us at TLC hope this information is helpful in gearing you up to pay attention to your own cat's dental health this month.
The Importance of Microchipping Your Cat
Cats - lovers, mouse hunters, couch-scratchers, cuddlers
Whether your cats enjoy some time in your yard or are strictly indoor cat-tree climbers, it it important to remember that they can get lost just as easily as our canine friends.
Does this scenario sound familiar? You're trying to bring out the garbage and your kitty quickly slinks out the door behind you to help. Or maybe your cat didn't come home last night and he wasn't waiting at the door for you in the morning. These little guys can quickly become lost and sometimes are not easily found.
If your cat is picked up by one of Albuquerque's animal welfare officers, the first thing that is done is to scan the animal for a microchip. If your cat is chipped, it would increase his or her chances significantly for a reunion with your family!
This is especially important for our indoor-only cats. When they accidentally slip away, they can easily become frightened and hide. This makes it difficult for not only their owners to find, but also our helpful animal welfare officers. Lost and scared cats can inadvertently travel miles from their home in only days. In this circumstance, if the kitty was chipped, it would increase the chances of a safe return significantly.
In regards to our kitties who enjoy outside sun soaks, they can wander off chasing all sorts of little critters. Well meaning neighbors can accidentally re-adopt your cat. They can also be brought to animal welfare and easily become lost in the system. If the kitty had a microchip, this tale would have a happy ending.
If you have any more questions about this, please feel free to ask any of our knowledgeable staff members. You can contact us directly or the following website has some additional information on why it is a good idea to microchip your cat.