Just noticed this evening that my cat's teeth have gotten very bad again with plaque and gingivitis. She had a dental done the beginning of April (so 8 months ago) and within I think about 2 months the plaque had started building up again and her breath smelling again. Afterwards I was quite good with brushing her teeth (a few times a week because I was at home all summer to do it), but since going back to college it's only getting done maybe every 2 weeks because I only come home weekends. She's been on plaque off since the end of summer and I noticed an initial improvement but it seems to have gotten worse again (back to what it was like pre-dental).

Now all I can think of that has changed is her diet, she's getting much more wet food (bozita chicken & turkey in gravy because thats all she'l eat) than she was and is only getting minimal dry (orijen fish), about 90:10.

Now I know if I bring her for another dental they'l just tell me to change her to dry food (which I don't want to do because of her history with urinary problems which seems to have thankfully died down), but I also don't want her to have to have dentals every 9 months, both because money is tight and the anaesthetic risk.

The smell off her breath is just a bad breath smell, no ammonia or sweet (pear drops) smell that I notice but I'v a very poor sense of smell. Also something that does worry me is she drools a lot, mostly when she get's excited. I don't think she has a rotten tooth as her appetite is perfect, if anything she's a little overweight again (because I'm not home during the week to feed her so she's probably getting too much food), not noticed her favouring one side over another either.

Obviously I'm gonna up the brushing, I'm home all christmas to do it, I'l up her plaque off too. What about her diet though? I usually brush off the dry food is better for teeth rubbish as crap but now I'm beginning to wonder if there is some truth in it. I'd love to get her eating some raw but it's impossible to get her to eat raw chicken breast never mind a bone, not a hope she'd crunch on a chicken wing, what are chicken necks like? Are they thinner bones? Could try her with those on the slim chance she'd eat them.

Any other tips? Anyone ever tried the stuff you add to water? Another thing is do insurance companies cover dentals?

Sorry to here that her teeth are bad again. Wet food doesn't nothing for dental hygiene but neither does dry food (and since she has a history of UTIs that is perhaps the last thing you should be feeding too). Having said that, there are specific dental dry foods out there that because they are bigger than your average kibble allegedly support dental hygiene (they might also include some particular enzymes to aid too). Personally, I don't buy these claims largely because it is the abrasive action of stripping meat off bones that seems to be doing the trick in cats, not a snapping/cracking motion, which is what cats do with dry food.

Personally, I think your best bet is to show your parents how to brush her teeth and do it perhaps every day as she seems to be prone to dental problems.

Personally, I think the plaque-off is a waste of money but perhaps Dougal22 sees this and can tell you more too.

Chicken bones are difficult bones for cats to tackle who haven't had raw bones before as they are really quite thick. Chicken necks are better but even better perhaps are smaller birds (quail, woodpigeon) or frozen mice etc. Alternatively, have you tried her on some chunks of raw meat (something chewy such as beef)?

Brushing her teeth seems to be the most appropriate way forward but I would perhaps feed some raw food in addition to the brushing.

Petplan do - providing you have a yearly dental check up at the vets. However they won't, I believe, cover pre-existing conditions.

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Oscar: Black b. 7th May 2011
Kitty: Grey Tabby b. 7th May 2011

Our lovely cat family

Thanks. Tried her with the very delicate tip of a chicken wing and she seemed interested in it, played with it and tried to eat it but got bored and gave up when it wasn't easily chewed. Will continue with that anyways and try her with a few chunks of raw beef. Never thought of frozen mice, much as I don't like the thoughts of it I will try. Would mice destined for reptiles be suitable? I presume you'd defrost them first? I think my mother would have a canary if she seen me bringing a dead pigeon into the house for the cat!

Ah well, it was worth a thought.

I would recommend trying some other raw....

My boys don't really like chicken (Jones won't eat it at all, even the meat on its own and bob is barely fussed).

However, day old chicks and mice go down a treat - I was lucky, they immediatly knew what to do with them, but it might be necessary to cut them open first so the good bits are on show.

And if you wanted to try other meats you could always start with raw mince - e.g. try feeding small amounts of beef or lamb mince to gt her used to the taste and texture, then move on to bigger chunks that she has to chew.

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"For all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams it is still a beautiful world"

One of my cats has gum issues. My regular vet at the time (no longer my current vet!) said that this particular cat of mine needed all of his teeth removed. He was 6 months old at the time, so I chose to get a 2nd opinion and after much research, I took the said cat to see the European Dental Specialist in Swindon. My cat didn't need all of his teeth out; he did however need a dental due to a moderate build up of plaque and he has to have his teeth brushed EVERY DAY with this toothpaste : Pet Drugs Online: Pet Dent Malt Toothpaste which contains chlorhexidine.

I find it much easier to use a long handled toothbrush - Pet Drugs Online: Virbac Toothbrush using the small head.

The European Dental Specialist said that 'Plaque Off' was a complete waste of money. The only thing that works to keep plaque down is brushing and this can be aided by feeding chunks of raw beef/lamb etc as it's the chewing action that helps with cleaning. However, he did stress that chunks of meat alone will not be of huge benefit. If a cat is predisposed to plaque build up, red gums and/or halitosis, brushing is the way forward.

Good luck. I know how difficult it is to keep on top of this regime, but it can be done with dedication and patience

Oh, and Pet Plan do cover dental work so long as the cat has an annual dental check. I ask the vet to do this at booster time and to make a note on their records. Pet Plan have paid out a LOT of money for my cat with gum problems, and they paid very promptly too. But, as another poster said, they don't cover pre-existing conditions.