A frequent dental condition that affects many different animals, including cats, is gingivitis. It can progress and turn into periodontal disease, a more serious problem, if left untreated. Learn all the root causes of gingivitis in cats and how to recognise the symptoms by continuing to read.
What is gingivitis in felines?
Gum inflammation, known as gingivitis, can cause painful, red, and swollen gums. If left ignored, it can cause pain and escalate to more serious tooth issues.
When your cat's teeth start to accumulate plaque, a sticky residue buildup, it can lead to gingivitis. The sugars in the cat's diet are the cause of this sticky plaque. The accumulation of plaque will cause it to start growing under your cat's gums. Eventually, there will be swelling and inflammation, which will hurt and cause the gums to turn red.
What signs of gingivitis do cats exhibit?
Gingivitis in cats can cause a variety of symptoms. To find out if your cat has the illness, be careful to look out for the following symptoms:
1: Inflamed and red gums
Inflamed gums are among the most typical signs of gingivitis in cats, as was previously discussed. Your cat's gums may swell and turn red due to inflammation, which frequently hurts. This is why it's crucial to frequently examine your cat's gums.
It can be difficult to look into a cat's mouth, so comfort and handle your cat carefully to make sure they feel as comfortable as possible. Allow your cat to go or try again later if they are having trouble or are uncomfortable. If you attempt to make your cat remain motionless while you examine their teeth, you risk frightening them and decreasing the likelihood that they will cooperate in the future.
2: Manifesting symptoms of discomfort and suffering
If your cat doesn't seem like themselves, it could be an indication that they have a painful condition like gingivitis. Another common sign of gingivitis in felines is pain during feeding.
Cats with this issue might only try to chew and eat on a single side of the mouth. This could be the side where the gum disease is not yet present or where there is less swelling. A cat may occasionally become so uncomfortable that it stops eating completely. If left untreated, this can result in other problems, like weight loss.
Having said that, it's crucial to keep in mind that cats are excellent at disguising their pain, which can make it challenging to identify, and that they might eat through severe discomfort.
3: Odor issues
Another typical sign of dental conditions like gingivitis is bad breath. Gingivitis may be the cause if you find that your cat's breath begins to smell worse. However, this isn't always the case, so read our article on foul cat breath for more details on cat halitosis and its causes.
What causes gingivitis in cats?
Gingivitis in cats can arise from various sources, and these factors frequently interact to generate the condition. Various problems can occasionally come together to cause the illness.
1: An inadequate oral hygiene regimen
Gingivitis in cats is frequently brought on by inadequate oral hygiene practices. To take care of your cat's teeth and lessen the likelihood that they will experience a dental health problem, it is important for you, as their owner, to establish a solid dental health regimen.
Regular dental cleanings and giving your cat appropriate food are crucial components of oral health maintenance. Regularly inspecting their mouths is another crucial step in making sure you identify any dental issues as soon as possible. cat treats if you're searching for a solution to assist you in taking better care of their teeth. In addition to being a fantastic method to show your cat appreciation, its porous texture has been shown in studies to aid in efficient dental cleaning.
2: Swollen lips
A cat that has a lot of teeth in its mouth is frequently more susceptible to dental conditions such as feline gingivitis. This is a result of the crowding, which facilitates the growth and formation of plaque on a cat's teeth.
3: Breed tendencies
Certain breeds of cats are more likely than others to experience dental issues. Because of the shape and size of their mouths, breeds with very short noses, like Persians or Chinchillas, are more likely to experience problems with overpopulation. This can result in a variety of dental problems, such as gingivitis in cats.
4: Growing older.
Older cats are more likely than younger cats to have dental issues. This is due to the fact that plaque will progressively accumulate in older cats. You should take your cat to the veterinarian for a checkup if you think they may have gingivitis. Your veterinarian is going to be ready to diagnose the feline there and advise you on the most appropriate course of action for their care.
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