For many pet parents, it can come as a surprise to learn that their cats need dental care from a veterinarian. Many people who have owned cats in the past may have never brought in their cats for a professional dental exam and cleaning—but attitudes towards cats have changed, and it's become clear that they need dental help just like people do. If this surprises you and you want to know why it is your cat needs pet dental care, here's what you should know.
Changes in Diet
Some people point out that cats lived in the wild for as long as they've existed without needing dental assistance from humans. So what's the big difference now? While there are a few main differences, one of the biggest ones is the change in the average housecat's diet.
Wild cats would often survive off of wild animals, eating the flesh and gnawing on the bones. Since the meat doesn't contain much sugar or carbohydrates, it's not excellent fuel for bacteria that produce plaque. In addition, the gnawing on the bones could help to clear away bits of plaque, further protecting a cat's teeth.
In comparison, most cats today receive a diet that contains grains and additives that may increase the production of plaque. They're also less likely to get bones or anything else hard to gnaw on. As a result, more plaque develops, and cavities and gum disease become more likely.
Longer Lives
Another big difference between cats now and then is that cats simply live longer lives. If a cat only lived to be five years old, the likelihood of them having dental decay at a severe level would be pretty low. However, most cats that are protected by their people can live well over a decade now. The continuous development of plaque will gradually wear down their dental enamel, increasing the risk of cavities or outright tooth loss.
Additional Risk to Health
Finally, it might be worth knowing that your cat's dental health can impact their overall health, and that's part of why your vet wants to treat them. Chronic inflammation in the gums can raise inflammation in the body, and there are some theories that chronic inflammation from poor oral health may contribute to or increase the risk of developing kidney disease. This is a fatal condition for cats, so anything you can do to avoid it should be embraced.
