Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 2 russian blue cats age 14 and 19 weeks. They are half brothers. We have been feeding them Eukanuba Kitten Dry mixed with Innova Evo Dry. For a treat we feed them eagle pack wet. Since we have gotten them ~2 months they have had bad breath. When I took the older cat to the vet, she said that it looks like the gums were red becasue he was teething and not to worry(that was his only check up when we first got him since he had already had 2 rounds of shots). When I took the younger cat to the vet I also noticed the same thing. The vet did not seem too worried, but she gave me CET toothpaste with a finger brush and told me to brush their teeth everyday. Their mouths are so small and they squirm so much that I can only brush with my fingers-which usually get bitten!

I also bought Feline Greenies to help with the gingivitis. My question is how long will it take to get this gingivitis under control, and at what point should I take them back to the vet? How do you know if it is teething versus gingivitis? Is there something better out there for controling this?

The thing that concerns me most is your report that both kittens have bad breath. This is not something that would be a normal part of teething.

Good luck! Hopefully you'll get the problem cleared up real soon!
-----
Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

thanks i will try that!!!

I have been watching them a little more closely and I think that they are swallowing the hard food whole. This includes the treats. How can I prevent them from swallowing the treats and dry food whole? The greenies won't do any good if the cat doesn't chew them.

One of my cats early on also was diagnosised with Gingivitis and I was referred to CET. I use the liquid version and put 2-3 squirts in their water bowl. Which is a water fountain type of feeder. I contacted the product manufacture to make sure it was safe for kittens also since I introduced a kitten after I had started treating my first cat who at the time was 1-2 years old.
And they reasurred me it was safe and my cat I'm treating gums have been in excellent condition. So go I actually stopped using thinking it was all better and actually I noticed her gums starting to get red and irritated again so I went back to it since its so easy in the water.

Can't imagine trying to brush a cats mouth!
-----
Cheri,Shelby,Lily & Lucy

Hi There,

Cats normally do not chew their food. In fact, their teeth are designed for tearing, not chewing.

Cats are carnivores and canned food should be their primary source of protein. I do feed my cats dry, but limited amounts.

PHKitkat