Cats/Dogs: Tooth Cleaning (brushing teeth/dentist)??
By Loen210
@Loen210 (1540)
United States
January 26, 2008 9:30pm CST
How many of you take your pets to the veterinarian to have their teeth/mouth cleaned?
If so, how often, and how? My biggest concert is with cats. It is incredibly difficult to try and brush their teeth by hand. Though we buy those crunchy snacks that claim they help clean the cats' teeth, I doubt they do very much.
And I was talking with a hygeniest this week (while getting my teeth cleaned). Cats have to be sedated to have their teeth cleaned. This is obviously not good for their health, especially as they have such tiny and fragile bodies. I would not want to hurt their bodies. Then there can always be mistakes and a dangerous flaw in sedation.
So how many of you have your pets sedated at the vet's for dental cleaning? If so, how often, and any advice? Thanks!
2 responses
@gantwick (849)
• United States
27 Jan 08
Let your cat know who's boss! Grab the cat in a towel and turn on the ol' Water Pik.
Just kidding. We had one cat who let us clean her teeth (some cats and dogs like to have their gums rubbed, so it's not too hard to get to their teeth once the trust is built up). For deeper cleaning, we took her to the vet. Because of the trust, she didn't mind the vet cleaning her teeth. No sedation at all. I know not all cats are like that, but maybe you are one of the lucky ones. See if your cat will let you rub its gums. Maybe you can train your cat to get used to having fingers in or near its teeth.
Good luck!
1 person likes this
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
27 Jan 08
I really appreciate that you responded (and so quickly). You are admirable. Wow, I hadn't heard of many being able to have their cats cleaned at the vets' w/o sedation. That is great. Also it depends on being able to find a good dental vet. I was friends with one who told me (I think forgetting we were his customers too!) about how they messed up during tooth cleaning, and laughed it off. It could be very dangerous for the cats. And I saw another one, I think it was with a tube going down the poor kitty's throat while in sedation, and from my own experience, that is NOT FUN after you wake up with such a hoarse throat.
How often do you go for vet dental cleaning?
1 person likes this
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
28 Jan 08
Thanks again for replying (I would have written soomer, but thought I'd be notified when you replied). ;o)
I will have to make sure that our vet cleans his teeth at appointments like your's. I don't believe that our's does. They just look at the teeth.
Thanks again!
@RuneAmok (13)
• United States
29 Jan 08
My last cat had her teeth cleaned perhaps twice. I didn't brush them or do anything for her in that respect.
The two I have now - I don't brush their teeth either, but I do give them raw chicken necks. That should keep them pretty clean, although I'm sure at some point a cleaning will be needed.
Unless you're dealing with a very old or sick cat, I don't believe it's that big a deal. I mean it IS a big deal, but it's necessary and more often than not the cat is just fine.
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