Help protect your cat's teeth from gingivitis and dental disease

Help protect your cat's teeth from dental disease and gingivitis from an early age.

Brushing your cat's teeth can be a daunting task, but getting your cat used to this process when they're a kitten will make it more comfortable for everyone. Dental disease is one of the most common problems pets suffer from, so it makes sense to be proactive to support your cat's dental health.

Susceptibility to dental disease and gingivitis in cats

Purebred cats and those that have retained baby teeth are more likely to develop dental disease and gingivitis. However, be aware that any cat can develop dental issues at any age. Regular brushing, a tailored diet, and regular check-ups with your veterinarian are key to being proactive against dental disease for all cats.

Did you know almost 90% of pet owners believe that root exposure is painful for people, however, only 65% recognized that the same condition causes pain in cats and dogs?1

The Early Stages of Dental Disease and Gingivitis

There are five stages that your veterinarian will refer to when assessing dental disease. Over the course of these stages, the signs of dental disease will often worsen. Make sure you're aware of the early signs and stages of dental disease in cats to quickly resolve any issues.

Stage 1 - Gingivitis

Common signs include; bad breath becoming noticeable, tartar beginning to build up, and some reddening of the gums.

Stage 0 - Clinically Normal

Your cat has healthy-looking teeth.

Stage 3 - Moderate Periodontitis

Common signs include; very bad breath, a large build-up of tartar, very discoloured teeth, very red gums and your cat may favour chewing on one side.

Stage 2 - Early Periodontitis

Common signs include; bad breath, more teeth becoming discoloured, additional tartar on teeth and the majority of gums are now red.

Stage 4 - Advanced Periodontitis

Common signs include; severe bad breath, your cat may be showing signs of pain and your cat may drop kibbles when they chew.

British Shorthair adult standing in black and white

Learn More About the Signs of Dental Disease

Read our article to learn about the five stages of dental disease and the signs in more detail.

Signs of Dental Disease

Did you know your veterinarian is also your cat's dentist?

Cats should have their teeth checked by a professional regularly. The next time your cat is at a routine veterinary check-up, ask them to make sure your cat's teeth are clean and healthy. If your cat's teeth are showing signs of dental disease they'll recommend the best course of action to support them.

Find a veterinarian

Brush up on your Cat's Dental Health

Dental disease can be painful, but practicing healthy habits from a young age can help protect your cat's teeth. Regularly brushing your cat's teeth helps maintain healthy gums and teeth, so proactive measures should begin when they're a kitten.

When

Start brushing when they're a kitten. Getting them used to their mouth being handled from a young age will make the whole process easier.

How

Regular brushing alongside feeding your cat dental kibble will help protect their teeth from tartar and plaque build-up.

Frequency

Veterinarians normally recommend brushing your cat's teeth once a day. If this isn't possible try to brush their teeth at least two times a week.
Black and white cat getting teeth cleaned

Brushing Your Cat's Teeth Guide

Learn how to brush your cat's teeth with our simple step-by-step guide.

Brushing Your Cat's Teeth

Nutritional Support - Tailored Dental Food for Cats

Take daily action to protect your cat's teeth. Nutrition plays an essential role in helping to protect your cat against dental disease. Feeding a high-quality dental diet will help target plaque and tartar at every mealtime, resulting in healthier teeth.

Royal Canin 'Triple Action' Effect Kibble

Featuring a 'triple action' effect, Royal Canin Dental kibble helps protect against the accumulation of plaque, tartar, gingivitis and halitosis.

  1. A mechanical scrubbing action - Dental kibble has been created to withstand deeper tooth penetration to create a scrubbing action - similar to that of a toothbrush.

  2. Contains tartar reducing nutrients - Includes a kibble coating formulated to bind to calcium in their saliva to help reduce the formation of tartar.

  3. Contains plaque reducing nutrients - Antibacterial and anti-adhesive properties help prevent plaque forming on teeth.
View Dental Kibble

Support your Cat with Tailored Royal Canin Dental Diets

Royal Canin has two dental diets tailored to meet the health requirements of cats. Speak to your veterinarian to find out if one of these diets is suitable for your cat.

Feline Oral Care Diet

A tailored dental diet formulated for adult cats suffering from oral sensitivities. The Oral Care diet showed a 41% reduction in tartar formation after seven days of exclusive use.2
Feline Oral Care diet

Feline Dental Diet

Clinically proven to efficiently reduce plaque build-up, the Feline Dental diet features a 'triple action' effect with a unique scrubbing action, alongside tartar and plaque reducing nutrients.
Feline Dental diet

References:

1 IPSOS Reid Market Research Study 2013 “Periodontal Disease Hurts"

2 Internal Study