what to feed a cat with gingivitis

Full Answer

How can I treat my cat’s gingivitis naturally?

The first thing any natural health professional will try to do is restore a healthy immune system in your pet. Once balance is established in the whole system, everything else will slip back into a natural order, including your cat’s dental health. 1. Diet One of the main causes of cat gingivitis is diet.

What can I give my Cat to clean his teeth?

When paired with regular dental cleanings, however, specially formulated dental cat foods have been shown to be effective at reducing plaque accumulation and reducing gingivitis. Be sure to ask your veterinarian for foods that are VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) approved — foods that have been shown to reduce tartar and plaque in cats.

How do I know if my cat has gingivitis?

The gums and the lining of the cat’s mouth appear reddened and swollen, the cat is likely to have a painful mouth, halitosis is often present, and sometimes the gums bleed. What can I feed my cat with gingivitis?

What are the treatments for gum problems in cats?

Cats with severe gum problems may require an over-the-counter product made with chlorhexidine, a stronger antibiotic.

What food is good for cats with gingivitis?

The chewing of raw meat and bones naturally scrapes away plaque and polishes teeth. Raw meat is also rich in natural digestive enzymes, which are little molecules that help your cat break down their food and utilize it effectively throughout their body.

What can I feed my cat with teeth problems?

Cats flourish on moisture-rich grain-free diets, such as high-quality canned, raw and freeze-dried diets. Raw diets would typically be an ideal choice, based strictly on the best nutritional choices, but there is no single diet that is right for all cats. Treats can help fight off your cat's dental issues.

How can I treat my cats gingivitis at home?

Place a small amount of toothpaste on your finger or in your cat's bowl and see if your cat will lick the toothpaste. Slowly and gently rub your cat's teeth and gums with your finger, and reward with a treat immediately after.

Does wet food give cats gingivitis?

Wet food doesn't provide that scraping, so if the cat doesn't have something it likes to chew on (or someone willing to brush its teeth), a cat fed entirely on wet food is likely to have problems with gingivitis.

What Should I Feed My old cat with few teeth?

If you give dry food to a feline with few to no teeth, try softening up the cat biscuits with unseasoned clear soups and meat or bone broths. It's better to switch to a wet food diet or mix wet and dry food to make swallowing easier for your toothless friend.

Can cats eat scrambled egg?

Yes, cats can eat eggs. Fully cooked eggs are a great nutritional treat for cats. Eggs are packed with nutrients, like amino acids, which are the building blocks to protein, and they're also highly digestible. Scrambled, boiled, however you choose to prepare them is fine.

Is gingivitis painful for cats?

What is gingivitis in cats? Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums which can result in sore, red and swollen gums. It can be painful and lead to more serious dental problems if left untreated. Gingivitis in cats occurs when a build-up of sticky residue called plaque begins to form on your cat's teeth.

How do vets treat gingivitis in cats?

How Can You Treat Gingivitis? If the teeth are overcrowded, or if your adult cat has baby (deciduous) teeth, your veterinarian may remove some of the teeth. Your veterinarian will teach you how to clean your cat's teeth, and you should make appointments for follow-up examinations.

Can gingivitis be reversed?

Though gingivitis, the earliest signs of gum disease, can be reversed with dental treatment and proper at-home dental hygiene, once gum disease gets to the level of periodontal disease, it cannot be reversed. If you have periodontal disease, all your dentist can do is treat it to try and control the infection.

Is it OK to give cats wet food everyday?

Feeding your cat wet food every day in addition to dry food ensures that your cat receives plenty of fluids. This is because fresh animal-based food naturally contains lots of water, which is also a key part of the jelly that binds the pieces together.

What is the healthiest food for cats?

Here are our top picks of the healthiest cat food for pet parents on a budget.Weruva Paw Lickin' Chicken Formula. ... Purina Beyond Dry Cat Food (Salmon) ... Merrick Purrfect Bistro Canned Pâté (Chicken) ... Rachael Ray Nutrish Kibble Recipe (Chicken) ... American Journey Dry Cat Food (Salmon) ... Whole Earth Farms Dry Cat Food (Chicken)More items...•

Is canned food better than dry food for cats?

Ultimately, your cat will decide whether she prefers dry or wet cat food. Purina nutritionists recommend feeding a combination of wet and dry food, though. This helps ensure she gets plenty of moisture in her diet, plus the dental benefits of dry food, all while adding variety to keep her interested.

What does gingivitis in cats look like?

The gums and the lining of the cat’s mouth appear reddened and swollen, the cat is likely to have a painful mouth, halitosis is often present, and...

What can I feed my cat with gingivitis?

Soft food is less likely to cause discomfort when the gums are inflamed and painful, but longer term, a high quality diet with high levels of omega...

How much does it cost to treat gingivitis in cats?

The cost depends on the severity of the problem, the underlying cause, and the type of treatment that’s needed. You should ask your veterinarian fo...

What is gingivitis in cats?

Gingivitis can be mild to severe. Mild gingivitis is very common in cats of all ages and is considered the earliest stage of periodontal disease. With moderate gingivitis, as time advances, plaque will accumulate on the teeth and the gingiva will become more ...

Why do cats get gingivitis?

The most common cause of gingivitis in cats is a build-up of plaque and bacteria. 1  Other predisposing factors include: Infectious diseases such as feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, and feline calcivirus. Lack of dental care. Genetics: some cats are probably genetically more predisposed to developing dental disease than others.

How many cats have dental problems?

It is thought that as many as 85 percent of cats aged three years and older have some degree of dental disease. Dental disease in cats can cause severe pain and discomfort and untreated it can lead to bone infection, tooth loss, and oral bacteria entering the bloodstream through diseased oral tissues, affecting other organs as well.

What percentage of cats have dental disease?

Dr. Tarantino is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. Diseases of the teeth and gums are common in cats. It is thought that as many as 85 percent of cats aged three years and older have some degree of dental disease.

How to get a cat to brush their teeth?

How to get your cat comfortable with teeth brushing. Get the cat familiar with toothbrush and toothpaste: Find a flavor of cat toothpaste your cat enjoys. Leave both the toothpaste and toothbrush out on the counter and place treats around them to help the cats create a positive association with them.

Do cats need dental x-rays?

A routine dental cleaning and dental x-rays should be performed under anesthesia to address any inflammatory dental disease, remove plaque and tarter, and clean the tissues beneath the gum line. Ideally, cats’ teeth should be brushed regularly after the dental cleaning.

Is toothpaste bad for cats?

Cat toothpastes, for example, have been formulated to be palatable to them. They don’t foam, don’t need to be rinsed away and don’t contain fluoride which is toxic to cats.

What causes gingivitis in cats?

Bacterial Infections. Pathogenic bacteria are often found in the mouths of cats with gingivitis: these may be a primary cause, or the bacteria may be a secondary complication, aggravating a milder form of gingivitis that is initiated by some other primary cause. Viral Infections.

How old do cats have gingivitis?

The problem is most often seen in mature or middle aged cats, but in some breeds (such as Maine Coon, Siamese, Persian and Abyssinian cats) feline juvenile gingivitis may be seen in cats less than three years of age.

What is the term for inflammation of the lining of a cat's mouth?

Faucitis means inflammation of the oral mucosa behind the teeth in the back of the oral cavity. Stomatitis means inflammation of the lining of the mouth and lips.

Why does gingivitis occur?

Poor dental hygiene is a significant predisposing cause of gingivitis. Other specific causes. Inflammation of the lining of the mouth can be caused by a number of other issues, including direct physical irritation (eating irritant materials or some plants), metabolic problems leading to systemic disease (e.g.

What are the two viruses that affect cats?

Two other viruses, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may also be involved, but their role is not clear, and their impact may be linked more to the fact that they affect the cat’s immune system rather than being involved directly in causing inflammation of the gingival tissues.

What is the term for a cat's gums?

Gingivitis in cats is defined as “inflammation of the cat’s gums”. The term “gingiva” means “gums” which are the pink mucous membrane covering the bones of the upper and lower jaws, surrounding the cat’s teeth. The postfix “itis” means “inflammation”, which is the redness, soreness, swelling, heat and loss of function which is ...

What are the challenges of a cat's oral cavity?

The lining of the oral cavity encounters a wide variety of challenges, including irritant substances and potential allergens (e.g in the food), bacteria as well as physically abrasive substances when a cat eats.

What Is Cat Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a cat dental disease often characterized by swelling of the gums. It is most commonly diagnosed in adult or elderly cats.

What Causes Gingivitis in Cats?

The risk of developing gingivitis grows with age, but plaque buildup doesn’t necessarily lead to severe gingivitis. Genetics determine the extent to which your cat may develop this condition. However, there are other possible causes of this oral disease, such as:

What is the best medicine for cat gingivitis?

Mercurius. While you are transitioning to a quality raw diet, your pet might need some immediate help with their cat gingivitis. The homeopathic medicine Mercurius can be used successfully in restoring healthy gums when the cat’s symptoms include: red and swollen gums. the mouth appears dirty.

What causes gingivitis in cats?

Once balance is established in the whole system, everything else will slip back into a natural order, including your cat’s dental health. 1. Diet. One of the main causes of cat gingivitis is diet. Diet is critical to everyone’s health, not just humans.

Why is my cat's gum disease worse at night?

symptoms are worse at night. Be Aware of the Connection Between Cat Gingivitis and Vaccinosis. Vaccinations and over vaccinating can be an underlying systemic and chronic cause of gingivitis and cat gum diseases. Until your cat has a healthy mouth, it’s a good idea to pause on their vaccinations.

Why does my cat's tooth blink?

It’s also an indicator that the teeth are going to be a problem as well, sooner or later. They could loosen and then fall out.

Why do cats need Mercurius?

In fact, one of the reasons using the homeopathic Mercurius works so well is that it helps neutralize vaccinosis problems. It can be awful watching your beloved friend suffer from cat gingivitis.

Can a vet give a cat raw meat?

It’s not. Veterinarians have little formal training in cat nutrition, and are often swayed by cat food manufacturers to promote their food as a way to boost their practice’s revenue. Go raw! On the other hand quality, raw meat and bones provide a cat with complete and balanced nutrition.

What color are cats gums?

A normal, healthy set of cat gums will be light or bright pink.

What does it mean when a cat's gums are red?

Gums that are bright red where the gumline and teeth meet signal gingivitis, a symptom of periodontal disease. Although regular brushing is the best home treatment, most cats don't submit willingly to the bothersome process.

What is Oxyfresh for cats?

Some of the rinses, made with herbal oils, have a minty taste and fragrance that cats seem to enjoy; others, such as Oxyfresh Pet Oral Hygiene Solution ($16.22, chewy.com), are odorless and flavorless. Cats with severe gum problems may require an over-the-counter product made with chlorhexidine, a stronger antibiotic.

Can you put mouthwash on cats?

Consider Cat "Mouthwash". If your cat falls into the less-than-cooperative category, you might have more success using an antibacterial liquid that can be sprayed on her teeth and gums on a regular basis—or, easier still, added to her water bowl each day. Such products are available at pet stores.

Can cats get gingivitis?

The first is an immune-suppressing virus such as FIV (a.k.a. cat AIDS) or FeLV (feline leukemia virus). The second is an immune condition called gingivitis-stomatis complex. The cause of this ailment, which results in chronic periodontal infections, is unknown. The treatment for it will be more aggressive and may include steroids, antibiotics, and natural therapies. Cats must be screened for these conditions and treated properly.

What Is Gingivitis?

Before we get into what causes gingivitis, it is necessary to know what exactly gingivitis is and why it causes so many problems for cats. Gingivitis is a condition that results in inflammation of your cat’s gums. The gums may become red and swollen, and your cat may experience pain when eating.

What Causes Gingivitis?

The main cause of gingivitis is plaque buildup on the teeth. Plaque is essentially a film that lies on the surface of the teeth and can serve as a home for bacteria. Some of these bacteria are good, but there are some that are harmful as well.

What Are the Signs of Gingivitis in Cats?

The most obvious signs of gingivitis to look for include redness and swelling of the gums.

How To Treat Gingivitis

If you suspect that your cat indeed does have gingivitis, it is a good idea to take him to the veterinarian to get a diagnosis that can verify your suspicions and get to the root cause of the gingivitis. If it is caught early enough, most of the time even severe cases of gingivitis can be reversed.

How to Prevent Gingivitis

Whether your cat has had gingivitis before and you’re trying to keep it from coming back, or you’re trying to stop gingivitis from occurring altogether, it’s important to clean your cat’s teeth on a regular basis. The easiest way to do this is by brushing your cat’s teeth at home, but you can also schedule regular teeth cleanings with your vet.

Final Thoughts

If not treated, gingivitis can lead to more serious health conditions for your cat, including periodontitis which can weaken your cat’s teeth and make it hard for him to eat at all.