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Feline Oral Care

Feline Oral Care: Understanding & Treating Your Cat’s Dental Needs

We’ve all heard the saying, “Cats aren’t just small dogs,” and this is especially true when it comes to oral and dental health. Cats have unique dental structures and oral diseases that require specialized knowledge and care. At Pet Dental Center, we are dedicated to providing the highest level of feline dentistry, whether your cat needs routine care or advanced treatment for serious oral conditions.

Why Do Cats Develop Dental Problems?

In the wild, cats are strict carnivores, and their sharp, pointed teeth—called secodont dentition—are designed for tearing and shearing meat. However, domestic cats typically eat commercial diets like kibble or wet food, which do not engage their teeth in the way nature intended. This lack of natural function often leads to two of the most common feline dental diseases:

✔️ Periodontal Disease – Caused by plaque and tartar buildup, leading to gum infections, tooth loss, and pain. This affects nearly all domestic cats at some point in their lives.
✔️ Tooth Resorption – A painful condition where a cat’s teeth slowly break down and dissolve, often requiring extraction. Studies suggest that over 50% of cats develop this disease, making it one of the most common oral conditions in felines.

How Can Dental Disease in Cats Be Treated?

Many pet parents wonder if their cat’s dental disease can be treated without extractions. While preventative care is always the goal, once significant dental disease has developed, extractions are often the best and only solution. Treating feline dental disease requires specialized skills and knowledge to ensure safe and effective care.

✔️ Dental X-Rays Are Essential – It is impossible to properly diagnose or treat feline dental disease without full-mouth radiographs. Many oral issues in cats occur beneath the gumline, and without imaging, painful conditions can go undetected and untreated.
✔️ Stomatitis in Cats – Cats can develop a unique and painful condition called stomatitis, an intense inflammation of the mouth that often requires surgical intervention or long-term medical management. This condition can be challenging to treat, but at Pet Dental Center, we have the expertise to provide the most effective care.

How Can I Prevent Dental Disease in My Cat?

Because dental disease is so common in cats, early intervention and routine care are crucial. Here’s what you can do to help protect your feline friend’s oral health:

✔️ Schedule Regular Veterinary Dental Exams – Cats hide pain very well, so don’t wait for signs of discomfort before seeking care. Routine check-ups help catch problems early.
✔️ Consider Professional Cleanings – Even with at-home care, plaque and tartar build up over time, leading to periodontal disease. Professional dental cleanings under anesthesia help prevent more severe issues.
✔️ Monitor for Symptoms of Dental Pain – Common signs of feline dental disease include:
🔹 Bad breath
🔹 Drooling or pawing at the mouth
🔹 Difficulty eating or chewing on one side
🔹 Weight loss or decreased appetite
🔹 Swelling around the mouth or face

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to schedule an exam.

Why Choose Pet Dental Center for Your Cat’s Oral Care?

At Pet Dental Center, we understand that cats have unique dental needs, and we are equipped with the specialized training, technology, and experience to provide the best care possible. Whether your cat needs a routine dental cleaning, extractions, or treatment for a complex oral disease, we are here to ensure their comfort, health, and happiness.

If you have concerns about your cat’s dental health or want to schedule an exam, contact us today!

Dental X-ray of tooth resorption of a premolar in a cat

Stomatitis in a cat

Pet Dental Center

EMAIL

Contact@petdental.center


VISIT OR CALL

Pet Dental Center

9250 Corkscrew Rd.
Suite 18
Estero, FL 33928

(239) 888-6761

HOURS OF OPERATION

8:00am-6:00pm M–Thurs
9:00am-4:30pm on Friday
CLOSED Saturday
CLOSED Sunday

Commonly Asked Questions

Does My Pet Need A Dental Cleaning?

Dental cleanings should be recommended based on each individual pet’s level of plaque and calculus build up and gingivitis. For some pets, cleanings may be necessary every 6 months, for others it could be every couple of years. More importantly, pets need to have routine oral evaluations with dental probing and full mouth dental radiographs no less than every 2 years and in some pets every 6 months. This includes pets who may have minimal plaque, calculus or gingivitis. It must be understood that clean teeth are not always healthy and therefore could be causing you pet pain or discomfort.

My Dog Has Bad Breath.

Bad breath is the number one symptom of advanced dental disease in pets. In most cases, bad breath in pets originates from disease causing bacteria. When pathogenic bacteria begin to flourish in the mouth, bad breath develops. It is important to have your pet’s oral health fully assessed with thorough oral examination and dental radiographs as soon as bad breath is noticed to prevent severe infections and tooth loss. These bacteria can also negatively affect other parts of the body and contribute to cardiac or renal disease.

My Pet Has Increased Risks For Anesthesia, How Can They Get The Dental Care They Need?

It is not fair to make a pet live with chronic dental pain and infection because they are considered an increased risk for anesthesia. At Pet Dental Center, we specialize in providing high level anesthesia care for geriatric pets and those with increased risks such as heart, kidney, liver, neurologic, diabetes and Cushing’s diseases. Because of our reputation for providing the highest level of anesthesia care possible, we average treating one high risk patient each day. Trust your pet with the ones who perform the most anesthesia procedures in high risk patients, Pet Dental Center.

Is It Normal For My Pet’s Teeth To Fall Out?

Baby or deciduous teeth are supposed to fall out when dogs and cats are teething, between 3 and 7 months of age. Adult or permanent teeth are present for the life of a dog and cat as long as they are healthy. If your pet is losing adult teeth there is severe dental disease. Advanced periodontal disease is the most likely cause for a pet losing teeth although dental fractures and tooth resorption are other likely causes.

What Kind Of Chews Are Good For My Pet’s Teeth?

Brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way to prevent dental disease at home and should be performed daily. When your pet does not accept brushing or for supplemental dental care in those pets who are getting their teeth brushed, dental chews can be a good choice. We recommend using dental chews that have the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval. This verifies that the product has been tested in clinical trials and was shown to significantly reduce plaque or calculus. We also recommend slowly introducing dental chews by offering a reduced amount of the chew and observing your pet while chewing. This is to make sure he or she does not swallow a large portion of the chew that could lead to choking or digestive complications. Hard chew objects such as bones, hooves, antlers, thick rawhide products and plastic toys often lead to dental fractures and should always be avoided.