One of the most overlooked parts of a cat’s health is their teeth. We assume that they will just take care of their own teeth, but this is not the case. As a cat owner we need to be aware of what is typical development for our cat and how to care for our cat’s dental needs.
Dental care in cats is important and it is similar to dental care in humans. Over 70% of cats show some form of dental disease by the age of 3. The Ragdoll Cat is no exception. Ragdoll cats can have a high incidence of periodontal disease, which is a type of gum disease. Dental disease can lead to tooth loss and other health problems. Severe cases of dental disease can lead to life threatening disease in your cat such as heart disease, kidney disease and even issues with their lungs and liver.
Do Ragdoll Kittens Lose Their Teeth?
Yes they do! Ragdolls cats have two sets of teeth just like us. They start with 26 baby teeth that begin to be replaced from 11-30 weeks. These are called milk teeth. We usually do not even get to see the tooth as it is lost as the kitten tends to swallow them. Don’t this won’t cause them any harm! So if you happen to find a milk tooth laying around the house, keep it as a souvenir as it’s quite a rare find! Over this period you might find your Ragdoll kitten suffers from a sore mouth, just as a child would if they were teething.
What Type of Teeth Do Ragdolls Have?
Adult Ragdoll Cats have 30 teeth. There are six incisors on the top jaw and six on the bottom jaw. These teeth are tear meat from bones and also for grooming. A cat has two canine teeth on the top jaw and two on the bottom. – these are called “fangs”. They’re used for holding things in the cat’s mouth and for defending themselves if necessary. Then there are ten premolars and four molars, which work together to cut food.
Taking Care of your Ragdoll Cat’s Teeth
Regularly removing food residue from your cat’s teeth can help prevent or delay the need for advanced dental treatment. Dental cleanings are generally performed under general anaesthesia. This treatment can be stressful for your cat, and may even result in lost teeth or damage to internal organs in cases of chronic dental infection.
To keep your cat’s teeth clean and healthy, follow these tips:
– If you want to keep your cat healthy and happy into old age, it’s important to start taking care of its teeth as soon as possible. This will help prevent any potential problems down the road. Start by brushing your cat’s teeth from an early age so that they become accustomed to the experience.
– Brush your cat’s teeth regularly using a soft toothbrush, specially designed for cats, and warm water.
Pet Dent Finger Brush has been specifically developed to meet the oral needs of dogs and cats. It aids in cleaning the teeth and gum line of dogs and cats. This brush is very easy to use and prevents several dental diseases in pets, including bad breath, gingivitis, and infected teeth. The finger brush is suitable for puppies, kittens, adult and senior dogs and cats.
– Brushing your cat’s teeth can sometimes be a two-person job! One way to help open the cat’s mouth is for someone else in the household to hold its jaw open while you clean its teeth and gums.
– If your cat has tartar buildup, use a pea-sized amount of pet toothpaste once a week to remove the plaque. Be sure to rinse their mouth well after brushing.
– Check your cat’s teeth and gums every day to make sure they are clean.
– If your cat’s teeth become infected or decay, see a veterinarian for treatment.
Nylabone Advanced Oral Care provides easy oral care, leaving your cat with fresh breath and healthy teeth and gums
The kit is designed especially for cats, with an angled toothbrush able to clean their small mouths
My Ragdoll Cat has Bad Breath
If your Ragdoll cat has bad breath this can be caused by two simple things.
With a Ragdoll kitten, one possible cause of a bad odor on a cat’s breath is that your cat is teething. Their baby teeth are replaced by adult teeth at around six months. The smelly breath will eventually go away once the new teeth come in.
Another cause could be a build-up of tartar. There are several types of cat food on the market that are designed to help reduce the buildup of tartar. Many cats also enjoy specially designed dental treats, which can help eliminate tartar and keep their teeth clean. Many of these treats contain ingredients that are beneficial to your cat’s overall health, such as Vitamin E, selenium, taurine, and antiseptics that fight the bacteria in their mouth.
The crunchy texture of Greenies Dental Treats helps clean teeth, reduce tartar buildup, and freshen breath. The Dental Treats are made with natural ingredients plus added vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients; nutritionally complete and balanced for adult cats
If tartar build-up on your cat’s teeth is bad, you may need to have them professionally cleaned by your veterinarian. Once the tartar has been removed, the bad breath will go away.
There could be several other reasons your Ragdoll Cat has bad breath including a tooth abscess, periodontal disease, infection or more serious issues like diabetes or liver cancer. If you are concerned about your cat’s breath, speak to your veterinarian.
Keeping your cat’s teeth clean and healthy is important for their overall health. Following a few simple steps will help you do this.
