I put off getting a dental cleaning for too long. My cat’s teeth were yellow, and his gums were swollen.
I thought I could figure it out at home with natural dental care products.
But Jericho’s teeth and gums only got worse. And I know he was in a lot of pain.
So I finally got a dental cleaning.
Jericho had three extractions, his teeth are clean, and his gums are healing.
The dental cleaning was worth it, but some things happened that I didn’t expect.
I didn’t think Jericho was going to make it. Thankfully he did.
Here’s what happened.
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Also, nothing I say is medical advice. All photos are of my cats.
Is it worth the risk of anesthesia to get a dental cleaning?
It is worth it to get a dental cleaning as long as your cat clears pre-anesthetic testing. Your cat may be in pain with severe periodontal disease. And periodontal disease can cause long-term health issues affecting the heart, liver, and kidneys.
A study shows that dental cleanings “have the potential to improve kidney function in animals during early stages of CKD if there are no other complications.”
However, “longer duration dental procedures in cats, specifically older animals, may carry inherent risks of kidney injury and impaired renal function.”
Basically, it’s better to get a dental cleaning sooner rather than later if your cat needs it. And if your cat’s pre-anesthetic testing comes back normal.
I understand your concerns as this held me back from getting a dental cleaning for a long time.
But there are risks if we don’t get our cat’s teeth cleaned as well.
Bacteria from plaque and tarter travel through the gums into the bloodstream and can affect organ function.
Plus, if your cat has broken teeth (like Jericho did), your cat is in a lot of pain.
How do I prepare my cat for a dental cleaning?
- Probiotics can help strengthen your cat’s oral and gut microbiome from bad bacteria overgrowth
- Find a vet that you trust and has a lot of experience in dental surgery, especially if your cat needs extractions
- Your vet will do pre-anesthetic bloodwork, urinalysis, and thyroid testing to see if your cat can handle anesthesia
- Make sure your vet explains anesthesia risks before you sign documents
- Withhold food and water before surgery – your vet will let you know for how long
- Move hard, sharp furniture before bringing your cat home just in case he’s still wobbly from anesthesia
- Have fresh, room temperature water ready for when your cat gets home
- Keep your cat in the carrier when you get home if you don’t have a partner to help you watch your cat
Probiotics for your cat’s oral and gut microbiome
Jericho gets Adored Beast’s Felix Flora and Feline Gut Soothe. I started these a few months before the dental cleaning. And I will continue them to help his gut repair from antibiotics.
Additionally, both products include the three strains that can help prevent bacteria buildup in the mouth.
- Streptococcus thermophilus
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
The other ingredients help heal the gut and help rebuild positive bacteria during the use of antibiotics.
Finding a vet for a dental cleaning
I listed out the pros and cons between two different vets. One is an emergency clinic that we’ve been to before. The other is an integrative vet we haven’t been to before.
If I could go back I would have gone to the integrative vet. But the emergency clinic’s surgeon has over 40 years of dental surgery. So maybe for the dental itself, it worked out better this way.
You can search on AHVMA to find an integrative vet near you.
And then you can call around for estimates and ask questions about the procedure and their experience.
Preanesthetic testing before the dental cleaning
Jericho is 8 so they consider him a senior.
They did a full CBC, thyroid test, and urinalysis.
Risks and preparing for the dental
Your veterinarian should explain the risks before you sign a consent form. I had to remind the clinic of that for Jericho.
Your vet will also tell you how to prepare before the dental cleaning.
They told me to withhold food and water starting at midnight the night before.
Jericho eats dinner at 5:30. And we fed him again at 11. He was still crying for breakfast at the usual time – 5 lol.
I dropped him off at 8 and picked him up at 6:30. He didn’t go in for the dental until after 2, and they were done around 4:30. More on this below.
Jericho was still wobbly from the anesthesia and wanted to jump on furniture. So I’d suggest moving furniture before you bring your cat home.
John was home to help me watch Jericho. And it was like chasing a toddler around. Keep your cat in his carrier if you need to do things and don’t have another person to watch your cat.
What I wasn’t expecting after the dental cleaning
- Jericho was extremely thirsty and ravenous for food afterward
- Jericho’s purrs sounded different for a few days
- He had a bad reaction to medication, vomited, and got a fever
The vet will give you discharge papers and explain aftercare. They recommend only feeding about half the amount of food to avoid nausea.
But Jericho was absolutely ravenous when he got home. He ate a lot more than half, but we fed it in smaller increments.
Jericho was also very thirsty but all we had was ice-cold water ready. So I’d suggest preparing room temperature water before your cat comes home.
Jericho’s purrs sounded different for a few days. His purrs were a bit guttural and sounded winded.
But it makes sense because they put a tube down the airways to prevent water and debris from going down during the dental cleaning.
Jericho got very sick after his dental cleaning
The day after the dental cleaning Jericho seemed good.
He ate, and his energy was good too. That day and night I gave him the antibiotics and pain meds as instructed. And unfortunately, the next day Jericho vomited. A lot.
He ended up with a fever from it. And we had to bring him back to the emergency clinic. They gave him fluids and more meds. Ug.
And the day after that he was really bad. I ended up giving him the other pain med and that did help.
That night he seemed a bit better and had an appetite.
And then over the next few days, his appetite, energy, and normal behavior came back more and more.
What I’d do differently
- Stick with my original plan to go to the integrative/holistic regular vet instead of an emergency walk-in
- Don’t tell the vet that you have pet insurance (if you have it)
- Wouldn’t have given medication after since he seemed fine the next day
Jericho was there for 6 hours before they started the dental. Emergencies came in and obviously took priority.
But I didn’t even think about that possibility. Just slipped my mind. I would prefer to go to the integrative vet who does not take emergency walk ins.
At least Jericho would have been seen promptly and picked up earlier.
Plus they may not have prescribed meds or perhaps they would have given less severe medication.
I also would not have told them I had pet insurance. They definitely overcharged knowing that.
How I’m caring for Jericho after his dental cleaning
I had to return to ground raw food for Jericho temporarily because he had teeth extractions. So for now he’s eating Viva Raw ground raw with probiotics.
I’m using red light therapy for his pain management.
And I added adored Beast’s Liver Tonic next to help clear him from the anesthesia and medication.
Jericho has sutures. And he’s only eating on one side. But I will reintroduce whole prey once I notice him eating on both sides.
How I’m keeping my cat’s teeth clean
I wipe his teeth with sterile gauze pads every night. Then I apply a small amount of coconut oil and kelp to the teeth and gums.
Coconut oil is soothing and can help prevent bacteria growth. Kelp can help prevent plaque from sticking to the teeth.
And I reintroduced whole prey once he could chew his food.
Cat teeth dental chart
How can I tell if my cat’s teeth are healthy?
Healthy cat teeth are white, and the gums are a light pink color. If you notice redness, swelling, or bleeding, your cat’s teeth are not healthy. Some dental issues arise with or without plaque and tartar.
Should I clean my cat’s teeth?
You should clean your cat’s teeth because dental disease does not only affect the mouth. Periodontal disease is very common and affects 70-80% of cats by the age of three. Cleaning your cat’s teeth regularly will help prevent disease in the mouth and throughout the body.
How can I improve my cat’s dental health?
You can improve your cat’s dental health with daily cleaning. Plaque and tartar form quickly so daily dental cleaning is necessary. Avoid high-carbohydrate foods because this leaves a starchy residue on your cat’s teeth. Many holistic veterinarians recommend a properly balanced BARF diet for cats instead.
Do kibble and dental treats clean teeth?
Kibble and dental treats do not clean teeth. Both products contain high amounts of carbohydrates. Amylase breaks down carbohydrates. Cats cannot produce amylase in their mouth. Therefore, high-carbohydrate food leaves a starchy residue on cat teeth.
Final thoughts on healthy cat teeth
Keeping your cat’s teeth healthy is important for your cat’s overall health.
Bacteria in the mouth travels throughout the body and can cause serious problems.
A dental cleaning is necessary to remove hard tartar and resolve gum inflammation.
Use natural products to prevent further buildup and inflammation.
Dry foods and dental treats do the opposite of clean your cat’s teeth.
And remember, daily maintenance is necessary to keep your cat’s teeth clean and healthy.
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