Can cats get cavities? If you have noticed that your cat has any symptoms such as bad breath, pain or discomfort in the mouth, is reluctant to eat certain types of food or is somewhat less hungry, you may think "my cat has a rotten tooth", but it is not entirely the case. These signs may correspond to those caused by dental caries or demineralization of dental enamel by the acids produced by oral bacteria after digesting carbohydrates. By nature, our cats eat very little carbohydrates, so they are not as predisposed to cavities, but with the variety of foods available today, the fact that we offer them human treats rich in sugars and the poor dental hygiene that many cats have, more and more cases of caries are seen in these animals.
Do you think this is the case with your feline? Continue reading this article on our site to learn more about caries in cats, their symptoms and treatments.
What are cavities?
Cavities are a problem that affects the teeth and consists of the demineralization and degradation of dental enamel Although if we think of the natural diet of the cat cavities are not as frequent as in dogs, it is true that some kittens may be more predisposed to develop due to the diet they follow or the lack of oral hygiene, among other reasons.
This degradation and demineralization of tooth enamel occurs when the bacteria present in the mouth degrade the carbohydrates or sugars that remain in the animal's mouth after each meal, releasing a series of acids that dissolve dental calcium s alts. This damage to the enamel induces the progression of the infection, damaging deeper structures such as the dental pulp and dentin, which can end up destroying the tooth.
Causes of tooth decay in cats
The main cause of cavities is a diet rich in sugars or carbohydrates, which by nature is not common in children. felines, being animals developed to obtain all the energy and nutrients from meat, which is low in carbohydrates while it is very rich in protein and fat. However, today there are feed or wet food for cats, as well as some prizes, which have a higher amount of carbohydrates than they need, being a risk factor for the appearance of cavities. In this other article we talk more in depth about Cat Food.
Other causes that can explain tooth decay in cats are the following:
- Viral diseases such as leukemia, immunodeficiency, rhinotracheitis and calicivirosis.
- Regurgitation of hairballs from the stomach (due to acidic pH).
- Diet low in calcium or with excess vitamin D.
- Periodontal disease or feline chronic gingivostomatitis due to bacterial fermentation.
- Dental fractures.
- Immune-mediated reactions.
Cavity Symptoms in Cats
Cavities can be recognized with the naked eye if we open our cat's mouth to see the structures. However, there are some clinical signs that can make us suspect that our cat has cavities or some other dental or oral problem also associated with cavities, such as periodontal disease, tartar or feline chronic gingivostomatitis. These symptoms are as follows:
- Anorexia or difficulty chewing
- Weightloss
- Dental pain
- Tartar
- Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Hypersalivation
- Lethargy or apathy
- Receding gums
- Yellow Teeth
- Inactivity
- Toothbleed
- Fever if there is secondary infection
How to cure cavities in cats?
The treatment for caries in cats will depend on its severity. So if the cat has one or several small cavities that do not invade deep tooth structures, a filling could be considered to remineralize and rebuild the affected tooth, as well as a dental cleaning to preserve the he alth of the rest of the pieces. However, if a dental X-ray shows that the dental pulp has been affected, the only possible treatment is extraction of the tooth or performing dental reconstruction or endodontics.
How to prevent tooth decay in cats?
The best way to prevent or avoid cavities in cats is maintaining good oral he alth by brushing with a brush specific for cat teeth and a suitable toothpaste, a human toothpaste should never be used to brush the teeth of these or other animals.
The hard food, the one that cats need to chew to break it down and then swallow it, is the best to preserve the he alth of the teeth of your cat This is due to the fact that the rubbing of the hard food when it is broken by the cat produces an erosion on the surface of the teeth that acts as a natural brush or extractor of dirt from the teeth, preventing the accumulation of tartar and food between the teeth., which serves as a substrate for the metabolism of sugars by the bacteria naturally present in the mouth of the small feline.
It is also important not to offer sweet foods to cats and not to overdo the treatsor snacks rich in carbohydrates to reduce the sugars that can serve as a substrate to produce acids by the bacteria in the mouth. However, it is a good idea to give them snacks or foods specially designed for the cat's oral hygiene, for the erosive reason that harder foods have before mentioned.
The wet food is also a complete and beneficial food for the kidney he alth of our cats by providing an extra dose of moisture in the diet that is so good for these animals, which tend to drink a small amount of water a day. However, a diet rich in wet food with little quality dry food can predispose to the appearance of caries because they usually contain more carbohydrates than dry food. For this reason, it is best to offer them a daily wet feed, preferably in the morning, and dry feed for the rest of the feeds.
Of course, the homemade diet is the most beneficial for these animals because it is a natural diet. However, it must be carried out under the advice of a veterinarian specialized in feline nutrition in order to avoid the appearance of oral and dental problems and nutritional deficiencies. An example of this type of diet is the BARF, which we talked about in this video:
