Feline dental disease is extremely common, and it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Brushing your cat’s teeth is a great way to prevent dental disease, but the right powders and treats can also do the trick.

You might think that most cats visit the vet for things like fleas or worms, but one of the most common issues vets treat in cats is dental disease. That’s right—cats can get gum disease just like humans, and as many as 50 to 90% of cats over four may have gum disease.

One of the best ways to prevent dental disease in cats is with tooth brushing. But before you try to wrestle a toothbrush into kitty’s mouth, there are other options to consider. Special products like treats and powders can help prevent feline dental disease as well, so you may not have to battle with your cat to brush their teeth after all!

Types of Dental Disease in Cats

Two of the most common types of feline dental disease are gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums around the teeth. It’s caused by plaque buildup because the bacteria in the plaque irritate the gums, causing redness, swelling, and irritation.

Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease, an infection of the soft tissue around the teeth. Symptoms of gum disease include bleeding gums, tenderness, bad breath, and swelling.

What Gum Disease Can Do to Your Four-Legged Pal

Dental disease may not seem as serious as other medical conditions that can affect cats, but it can have consequences that put your cat at risk. Along with causing bad breath—which is unpleasant for you—gum disease can also hurt. Here are some of the more serious problems associated with untreated dental disease:

• Pain and discomfort
• Not being able to eat regular food
• Weight loss
• Tooth loss
• Infections in the mouth that can spread to other organs
• Abscesses
• Bone loss

Treatment and Prevention

For cats that already have advanced gum disease, your best bet will likely be a trip to the vet and cat dental cleaning.

Regular tooth brushing is one of the most effective ways to prevent and treat the early stages of dental disease, such as gingivitis. But if you didn’t start brushing your cat’s teeth early on, then you might not be able to convince them to start letting you do it now.

So what’s a concerned pet parent to do? Cat dental treats! Swedencare USA specializes in oral care treats for cats. They formulate their hard dental bites and holistic soft chews with the patented ProDen PlaqueOff System, a special pet supplement that contains kelp, which helps to fight plaque, tartar, and dental disease. Cats love the hard bites and soft chews, and you can also buy the ProDen PlaqueOff powder and sprinkle it on their food once a day.

Visit Swedencare USA and get your cat’s oral health under control today.