FAQ: Health for cats

Human toothpaste often contains fluoride, foaming agents or xylitol, which a cat should not swallow. Cat toothpaste is safe to swallow and often comes in flavours cats like, such as chicken or fish.

Small soft brushes with a small head or silicone finger brushes suit cats. A finger brush is often easier to start with, while a regular brush reaches the back teeth better.

Start by letting the cat taste the toothpaste from your finger, then gently rub the gums with your finger and only later use a brush. Keep sessions short and calm and end with praise or play.

Bad breath, red or bleeding gums, brown tartar, drooling, chewing on one side or dropping food from the mouth can indicate dental disease. In that case the cat needs a vet’s check.

Dental gels, sprays and water additives can help reduce plaque and bad breath but are usually less effective than a brush. They are useful for cats that will not tolerate brushing, or as an extra measure.

Dental treats and food with a special texture can mechanically clean off some plaque, especially on the back teeth. They do not replace brushing and contain calories, so count them in the daily ration.

No, tartar should be removed by a vet, as some of it lies under the gums and scraping without anaesthesia can injure the mouth and frighten the cat. At home you can only work to keep tartar from forming.

The most common cause is plaque and gum inflammation, but bad breath can also be a sign of kidney disease, diabetes or a mouth injury. If the smell is strong or appeared suddenly, talk to a vet.

Kittens’ milk teeth change from about three to six months of age, which is a good time to get them used to dental care. If a milk tooth has not fallen out while the permanent one is coming through, show the kitten to a vet.

Replace the brush when the bristles splay or wear out, usually every few months. Rinse and dry it after each use, and if you have several cats, use a separate brush for each.

If the gums are very red, bleed or the cat avoids eating, brushing can cause pain and make things worse. See a vet first and start home care once they say it is fine.

Gently wipe the eye corners with a separate damp cotton pad or a pet eye wipe for each eye, from the inner corner outwards. Do not use human eye drops or chamomile tea without a vet’s advice.

A little discharge in the eye corners is normal, especially in flat-faced cats. Heavy, yellow or green discharge, a red eye, squinting or rubbing the eye can point to infection or injury and need a vet.

In flat-faced cats tears often collect under the eyes and stain the fur brown. Clean this area daily with a damp pad or eye wipe and pat it dry so the skin does not become sore or inflamed.

There are wipes and liquids for cleaning tear stains from the fur around the eyes. Use only pet products, keep them out of the eye, and if tearing is heavy, a vet should assess the cause.

No, eye problems have different causes, and the wrong drops, especially those with steroids, can make things like a corneal injury worse. Use eye drops only as prescribed by a vet; at home you can only gently wipe the eyes.

Hold the cat calmly – you can wrap it in a towel. Tilt the head back, gently pull up the upper lid with your thumb and drop from above without the tip touching the eye, then praise the cat or give a treat.

Hold the cat’s head from above, gently open the mouth and place the pill as far back on the tongue as possible, then close the mouth and stroke the throat. Afterwards give a little water or wet food so the pill does not stay in the oesophagus.

It is a thin, syringe-like tool with a soft tip that pushes a pill deep into the cat’s mouth without using your fingers. It helps when a cat bites, but use it gently so you do not injure the throat.

Not all tablets can be crushed: some have a coating that protects the medicine or controls how it works, and crushed tablets often taste very bitter. Ask a vet or pharmacist before crushing.