February 21, 2010

Dear Obie,
My cat, Sue, has very bad breath, and I don't know if it is because of the food she eats or if there is something else going on. What are your thoughts?
Signed, Krysten
Salem, Oregon

Dear Krysten,
I can understand your concern. As much as our humans love us, they don't enjoy receiving a blast of "cat breath" into their faces when they hold us. Many people believe that bad breath is just something that goes along with having a cat, like hairballs or being ignored!

Unfortunately, bad breath can be a sign of a dangerous condition known as periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the most common ailment suffered by both dogs and cats over the age of three, and is usually a result of a pet not receiving proper dental care.

Did you know that only one out of ten pet owners regularly have their pet's teeth cleaned? Now, I'm a cat and not a math genius, but one out of ten isn't a very high percentage. And, even though cats and dogs rarely get cavities, we can still suffer from plaque and tartar buildup on our teeth, which can lead to tooth decay, tooth loss and bleeding gums. Also, the bacteria that causes all this can get into our bloodstream and cause major damage to our most vital organs.

I always tell people how important it is to make sure their pet receives regular dental check-ups, at least once a year. This can be done at the same time that you visit your vet for your pet's annual physical and bloodwork, which is also very important in the early detection and prevention of disease. And if your vet checks your pet's teeth and recommends a cleaning, get it done! Your pet's health depends on it!

So what about brushing your pet's teeth? If you start early, this can be an easy way to forestall gum and teeth diseases. Starting a brushing regimen as soon as your cat comes home allows the cat to get used to the procedure as a part of daily life. And it keeps you from getting a faceful of stinky cat breath!

There are also foods available that help remove and reduce tartar and plaque buildup. Talk to your vet about which food is best for your pet.

I am having my teeth cleaned by my vet in a couple days, and, while I'm not looking forward to it, I know it is being done because my humans love me and want to keep me around for a lot of happy years!

Your friend,
Obie

*****

"Everything I know, I learned from my cat. When you're hungry, eat. When you're tired, nap in a sunbeam. When you go to the vet, pee on your owner."
-Gary Smith