Gingivitis is a relatively common problem in cats. It causes symptoms that have a very negative effect on quality of life, although there are more or less serious cases, and they are a source of concern for caregivers. You will always need to go to the vet and the treatment can be as invasive as the extraction of all the teeth.
On some occasions, we can combine veterinary care with natural remedies to relieve symptoms and promote the animal's recovery. In this article on our site we will focus on this and, therefore, we will show the most recommended home remedies for gingivitis in cats.
Gingivitis in cats: definition and symptoms
Gingivitis, literally, is the inflammation of the gums The teeth are inserted into the gums, leaving these perfectly surrounded by them, with no space between the two. When the gums become inflamed, holes open up in which food debris and bacteria accumulate that end up infecting it, which can lead to detachment of the teeth.
In addition, cats can suffer from a virus called calicivirus which, among other symptoms, damages the mouth and causes gingivitis. However, there are many other causes of gingivitis such as systemic diseases, autoimmune diseases, tumors, etc. Gingivitis usually spreads and becomes a gingivostomatitis, which tends to become chronic and is characterized by inflammation of the entire mouth. That is why it is necessary to visit the vet if we see any of these signs: in our cat
- Hypersalivation.
- Pain, the cat does not tolerate handling.
- Loss of appetite or difficulty eating precisely because of the pain. If the situation continues, the cat loses weight and can even become dehydrated if it cannot drink.
- Difficulty to swallow.
- Bad smell in the mouth.
- Inflamed and reddened gums. They bleed easily.
- Emission of pus or very thick saliva.
- Rubbing of the mouth with the paws or against objects.
- Coat dirty because the cat can't groom itself.
- Depression.
Oral infection in cats: treatment
In cases of severe gingivitis or gingivostomatitis there may be a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics Other times support measures must be prescribed to keep the cat nourished and hydrated. The pain relievers are prescribed to control severe pain. Sometimes interferon is also used if there is a virus or corticosteroids if an autoimmune process is suspected. If following the treatment the cat does not improve, a drastic measure is resorted to, which is the extraction of the teeth, at least the affected ones and, if possible, the fangs are preserved. Of course, it is important to remember that antibiotics for cats with mouth infections and painkillers must be prescribed by a specialist, so we should never self-medicate an animal.
While the inflammation is maintained, we can follow some home remedies for gingivitis in cats, in an attempt to improve their quality of life.
Cleaning the cat's mouth
Before starting home remedies for gingivitis in cats, the veterinarian should perform a complete evaluation of the mouth, tooth by tooth. It is very likely that the cat will have to be sedated, since the pain, added to the stress of moving to the clinic, will prevent manipulation of the area. In consultation, the veterinarian can take X-rays of the oral cavity, take samples and deep clean the mouth with ultrasound, before we continue the treatment at home.
Brushing teeth, the main remedy for oral infection in cats
We begin the review of home remedies for gingivitis in cats with a basic hygienic measure, such as cleaning the teeth. To do this, we must use a specific toothbrush for cats, the same as if we use a paste. The problem is that it is difficult for the cat to allow this type of manipulation, unless it has gotten used to it. That is why you have to assess the level of stress it poses for the cat. Stress affects your immune system, so this needs to be taken into account. Brushing should be done daily in order to control the deposit of bacterial plaque.
This brushing is not only useful to combat a possible oral infection in cats, but it also prevents it from reappearing if we introduce it as part of your routine. For this reason, handling the cat's teeth, its legs, etc., from the first day is essential to guarantee that we can carry out this type of hygienic practice that is so beneficial for it.
Chlorhexidine for gingivitis in cats
Another home remedy for gingivitis in cats is mouth disinfectionThis is done with chlorhexidine 2% or with chlorhexidine bioadhesive gel. We can wet a gauze with the product to surround our finger and rub, very delicately, the gums and teeth. As in the case of brushing, it can be difficult to get the cat to accept this manipulation. That is why it should be valued to do it or not and how often we manage to tolerate it.
Diet and feed for cats with gingivitis
At home we can also influence our cat's diet. The truth is that a dry feed is recommended, following the hypothesis that friction helps keep teeth clean. But it is difficult for a cat with a bad mouth to eat feed easily. Wet food is easier to swallow, but because of its consistency, it is easier for it to stick to the teeth.
For the above reasons, we can explore the possibility of offering you homemade food, always following the veterinarian's recommendations so that the menu is balanced. There are foods, such as the apple, that promote dental hygiene, but not all cats will accept them. In any case, among the home remedies for gingivitis in cats, food is the one that we can most easily implement. Other good foods to treat gingivitis in cats naturally are the following:
- Raw carrot, since it allows it to fight bacterial plaque by gnawing it, although if the pain is intense, it is possible that the cat I rejected.
- Bluefish due to the high content of omega 3 fatty acids, which act as natural anti-inflammatories.
- Strawberries, for its richness in vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber. All these substances, together with omega 3, represent the most recommended nutrients to alleviate the symptoms of oral diseases, such as gingivitis. Therefore, including foods rich in them is more than recommended.
- Watermelon and melon, also for its richness in vitamin C and antioxidants.
- Foods rich in calcium, such as plain yogurt (without sugar) or kefir.
In addition, there are prizes designed for oral care that we can use and rope-type toys that will have an effect similar to dental floss.
Natural remedy against gingivitis in cats: avoid stress
Finally, considering the importance of the immune system, we can focus on avoiding stress as part of home remedies for gingivitis in cats. Thus, it is not the time to introduce changes in the cat's routine, since they are animals that are very sensitive to changes in their environment and can suffer stress right away. Quality food, a quiet place to rest, clean water at your disposal, warmth and affection are the bases to contribute to a strong immune system.
Promoting a relaxed environment should be part of the treatment against gingivitis in cats and, for this, we can introduce synthetic pheromones in the space most visited by the feline. These pheromones are sold in the form of an automatic diffuser or a spray. Likewise, we will prevent other animals or people from disturbing your peace of mind.
