{"id":355988,"date":"2016-09-14T04:00:06","date_gmt":"2016-09-14T11:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=355988"},"modified":"2024-10-02T12:43:58","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T16:43:58","slug":"dental-disease-in-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/ask-the-vet\/dental-disease-in-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Dental Disease in Cats: Causes, Signs & Treatment Options (Vet Answer)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n <\/span>\n \nSigns<\/a>
\nCauses<\/a>
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You may first notice bad breath, difficulty eating, or even bloody droplets in your cat\u2019s food or water bowl. No matter how it initially crosses your radar, dental disease in felines is a big problem: It affects 50% to 90% of cats over 4 years old 1<\/sup><\/a>. The good news is that dental disease is completely preventable and in most cases, fully treatable. So, let\u2019s look at the ins and outs of dental disease in cats.<\/p>\n

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What Is Dental Disease in Cats?<\/h2>\n

Dental disease is an all-encompassing term that refers to issues in a cat\u2019s teeth and their related structures. While tooth problems may seem minor in the grand scheme of things, dental disease can contribute to problems in other areas of the body. When bacteria in the mouth get out of control, they can travel to other organs, potentially setting up life-threatening infections. The heart, liver, and kidneys are the main targets.<\/p>\n

In other words, it\u2019s important to get your cat\u2019s oral health under control. The first step is knowing the signs.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: Riccio da favola, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What Are the Signs of Dental Disease in Cats?<\/h2>\n

Kitties in the early stages of dental disease\u2014which is the best time to treat it\u2014may not show any signs. Instead, it\u2019s usually diagnosed during a veterinary exam.<\/p>\n

For those not lucky enough to catch it early, you might see:<\/div>
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