Brush up on cat dental hygiene

PAMPERED PETS

- DR DAVID GRANT

My two young cats are fed soft food, which they enjoy. I am wondering if cats get dental disease and if there are any studies on how common it is. It's very difficult to look inside their mouths - what signs should I look out for?

Dental problems are common in cats, which is not surprising, due to the fact it is very difficult for most owners to brush the teeth. Just as with us, daily brushing of teeth is a key factor in dental health.

If it's any consolation, even with my cats it was always difficult to inspect their teeth, not due to aggression, just an ability to wriggle and make things extraordinarily difficult.