Should Your Cat Go To the Dentist?

Should your cat visit the dentist? If so, does your cat need a painless dentist? Many experts say so. Many cat dentists advertise online, offering services such as cleaning, polishing, check-ups, X-rays and tiny cat braces. How many times has your cat greeted you when you get home from work; you pick her up and she meows in your face. Her breath reeks and her teeth are crooked. You say to her "You need to go to the dentist, cat."

Sedation dentistry has become popular in the cat dentist industry. The cute little kitty gets a whiff of gas to calm her while the cat dental technician cleans and examines her mouth. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about sedation options when you make your kitty's appointment.

If you have more than one cat, ask about multiple cat discounts. Many cat dentists offer reduced rates if you bring all of them into the office at the same time. Bundle them all into your cat carrier, make the short drive to the office, and get it over with in one trip. The hassle level increases by a factor of 2.61, but the satisfaction factor outweighs.

Some cat dentists are trained in the application of cat braces. Commonly called cat orthodontists, they can provide diagnostic services to help you decide what specific needs your cats have. At an additional expense you may elect to install invisible braces instead of the metallic silver-colored units that tend to be uncomfortable.

Some cats find themselves shunned from polite cat society once they get traditional braces. If you only have two cats in your house, being shunned can be a devastating experience for the newly braced kitty. Something about a mouth full of metal becomes extremely annoying to nearby cats; ask your cat dentist about tips for gradually introducing Little Snowball back into the cat herd after she gets her braces.

Your cat should go to the dentist for braces if she plans to participate in cat shows or cat cotillions. Her first formal cat gathering will be a tremendous culture shock if she's not properly pampered and prepared. Straight clean teeth are a basic requirement for competing in the cutthroat social climbing environment of kitties. Obviously your showy cat needs a healthy lean diet to promote shiny fur and a healthy physique. It's all good until she opens her mouth to meow to the judge; if her teeth aren't straight, she can't possibly get a cat medal or cat trophy.

None of us wants our precious kitties hiding under the sofa all day. Some breeds are genuinely shy, but certainly some individuals become self-conscious of their unsightly teeth and bad breath. We can't feed them (hopefully sugar-free) mints all day; something more permanent has to be done.

Begin planning for your trip to the cat dentist several days in advance. Take the dirty laundry out of the cat carrier, then place it in the living room so the little furball can acclimate to it. You may be surprised to see her sleeping in it during her nap time. Don't discourage her from doing so. Some cat fanciers prefer to brush Pussy Willow's teeth the morning of the trip. Don't expect the little rascal to do it herself. She would much rather play with a ball of yarn and she doesn't have thumbs to grip the toothbrush anyway.

Whether or not you brush her teeth before getting in the car, try to keep her routine as normal as possible. Don't feed her the same special meal each time you take her to the dentist, nor wear the same clothes each time. Let her watch the same morning TV talk shows (most cats love Kelly and Michael) as she always does. Don't let her see you behave any differently than any other day. If you're nervous about a trip to the cat dentist, subvert your emotions for the good of the kitty.

Most cat dentists offer reasonable rates for much needed products and services. Unfortunately, every cat-related industry has its' bad apples. Although apples are good for your teeth, bad apple cat dentists drag down the reputation of the entire industry. Carefully research the reputation of your kitty dentist. Ask your cat-loving friends for recommendations. Don't approach dog owners; they usually look for an entirely different set of requirements when they select a dog dentist. They may be your friends, but they can't relate to the stresses concomitant with settling on a feline dentist.

Be prepared for an onslaught of well-meaning suggestions from the cat dentist technician. During the cleaning process, the technician tends to identify several 'issues' that need to be corrected. Remember that nothing is an emergency at this point. You have the option to decline the additional costs and perform your due diligence before making a decision. We all know you care deeply for your kitty; no one will judge you if you skip the high-tech bleaching and whitening treatment because you need to buy bread that week.