recommendations/advice on how to keep a cats teeth/mouth in good condition?

[kp76]

Ahhh that doesn't look too difficult. I'll give it a whirl, see what happens.

[Gillian Harvey]

I'm sure Gillian posted a pic of a jointed wing but can't find it now

Here you go......

[Millys Mum]

Its nice to hear your vet isnt cashing in on the scene mitra 

[Mitramonday]

Hi, it's the pirate here  !  I've decided to attempt to go 'raw' for Percy - having read all the articles on 'prepared' cat food (dry and moist) I just don't want to feed him that cr*p anymore.  Mind you, we'll see how he takes to it...........  I've also ordered some Logic Gel & Plaque Off (strange that my vet didn't mention these when I asked her?)

[kp76]

Thanks helen. I'm getting the idea now. I'll give it a go.

[Tiggy's Mum]

I think some people cut them into 3 at their natural joints - I just plonked them on a plate as I'm a bit squeamish with bones/joints etc    If they don't get the hang of it you could try giving them teensy pieces of raw chicken (no bones) until they understand raw is OK to eat and then go back to the wings.

I'm sure Gillian posted a pic of a jointed wing but can't find it now - found this though...

right I've been to tesco and have my chicken wings - so I don't cook them, i cut them in three and stand back is that right - how long should I leave them down before they become a health risk!!

LOL! - doubt they'll be around long enough to become a health risk! Yep just cut them into 3 (you don't have to cut them up, its just that if cats havent come across anything like this before they can find a whole wing a bit daunting - like someone's given them some enormous dinasour bone!) No cooking, although don't give them cold straight from the fridge - can warm them up by putting in freezer bag and dunking in warm to hot water.

Don't expect them to take to it straight away - I mean some might, but some might look at you as if you is mad!  - but if you keep offering most get the hang of it. If some pieces are left, just dust 'em off (LOL!) and pop them in the fridge and try again tomorrow, wouldnt keep them any more than a day or two though. The others you can just freeze till you want them.

[kp76]

Oh I can probably do that. I had visions of buying mountains of meat every week.
What do I do to prepare it, anything or will they eat it skin, bones & all?

[Tiggy's Mum]

You don't have to feed raw as their main diet, you can  just feed raw chicken wings once a week or so as an occasional tooth cleaning treat - they're really cheap and you get loads in a tray so could freeze some.  My two thought I was  when I offered them some though!

Other than that I use Plaque Off and Logic gel, both from VetUK.

[kp76]

Thanks MM. Sadly money is tight just now & I can barely afford meat for myself at the moment so both cats will have to stick with a felix pouch & joe & jills diet. Especially as i've just stocked up on both.

[Millys Mum]

Thanks clarenmax,
Do you know are both products only available at vets or can I buy them from PAH or online?
Kirsty

You can buy from vet uk 
As gillian posted raw food is the best, it removes tartar and improves oral health, chewing makes saliva which is a natural cleaning agent and its something they can really enjoy, my lot get all growly and excited with a lump of raw stuff

[Gillian Harvey]

Chicken wings (raw not cooked) are good for their teeth as well as cubes of meat, raw or cooked.

[kp76]

Thanks clarenmax,
Do you know are both products only available at vets or can I buy them from PAH or online?
Kirsty

[clarenmax]

I've never been able to clean Max's teeth, and consequently his are not great (also due to his FIV I reckon).

If your furries eat wet food, I'd recommend trying Plaque Off, its dried sea kelp (doesn't taste or smell of anything particularly), you sprinkle that on their food and its supposed to help the plaque forming on their teeth.

Also you can get the cat toothpaste, Logic Gel which is also supposed to help keep teeth clean, even without brushing.

My local vets now stock both of these items and they're pretty inexpensive too.

Hope this helps.

[Mitramonday]

Sorry, kp76 - I'm not answering your query, but  hijacking it  .  Percy has just had his first M.O.T. and has inflamed gums (he's only 18mths old) so I'm concerned as to how to try to a)improve them and/or b) stop them getting any worse.  At the moment, he's on a moist diet (I lost my beloved Avalo to CRF at the beginning of the year) but, since he came to me 6 weeks ago, I have always given him a handful of dry every day as a substitute toothpaste - I really don't think he would welcome me trying to clean his teeth......       !  I didn't find my vet majorly helpful - she just told me that both her cats are on the same diet and one has bad teeth and the other doesn't???!!!!

[kp76]

Hi guys,
Can anyone please advise me how I look after a cats teeth & mouth.
Both cats have good mouths at the moment & if possible i'd like to keep it like that for as long as I can.