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134 results for “feline oral disease”
How to Maintain Your Cat’s Dental Health
Tartar and gingivitis are common feline dental problems, usually caused by owners feeding too much soft food and skipping regular teeth cleaning. This article shares practical methods and tips to keep a cat's teeth healthy.
How to Care for Your Cat’s Teeth and Mouth
Without regular cleaning, food debris on a cat's teeth builds into plaque and then hard tartar, leading to gingivitis, periodontitis or stomatitis that may need extraction. Brush gradually using pet toothpaste and a cat toothbrush — start 2–3 times a week — and pay extra attention to flat-faced breeds like Persians and Himalayans.
Cat Sinusitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Cat sinusitis is common, usually from bacteria, viruses, fungi, or irritants, causing sneezing, nasal discharge, congestion, breathing trouble, snoring, red watery eyes, poor appetite, and lethargy. Severe cases show blood-tinged, foul-smelling discharge and may lead to brain complications. Treatment depends on cause and severity: bacterial cases need antibiotics, viral cases antivirals, plus nasal flushing and a cleaner environment.
My cat sneezes and the discharge is thick and a bit red, like yellow mucus with blood
Sneezing with nasal bleeding may be from a violent sneeze or a respiratory infection, and viral disease is possible. Use antibiotics if a vet visit is impractical.
Which Cat Breeds Tend to Live the Longest?
Some cats are naturally long-lived — Chinese Li Hua, Chartreux, Norwegian Forest Cat, American Shorthair, Balinese, and Siamese often reach 15–20 years. Pair good genes with vaccines, deworming, spaying/neutering, grooming, dental care, exercise, checkups, and quality food to extend your cat's life.
My cat has had stomatitis for over a year, treated with steroids, now resistant and losing fur with granulation tissue in the mouth. Should I consider euthanasia?
Feline stomatitis can be cured depending on severity and timely treatment, so euthanasia is not necessarily needed. Causes include calicivirus, immune-mediated disease, FIV, FeLV, and severe tartar; full-mouth extraction is often the most effective treatment.
What to Do When Your Cat Has Swollen, Red Gums?
Swollen, red gums in cats can come from plaque, tartar, oral infection, poor nutrition, or teething. Mild cases may respond to a pet oral antiseptic spray or anti-inflammatory medication, while tartar and periodontal disease may need a dental cleaning or extraction. Feeding soft wet food and rinsing with pet mouthwash during recovery, plus regular brushing, prevents recurrence.
Causes and Treatment of Low Potassium (Hypokalemia) in Cats
Feline hypokalemia (low potassium) comes from poor diet, kidney dysfunction, or digestive disease (malabsorption, diarrhea), and shows as weakness, low appetite, weight loss, vomiting, and irregular heartbeat. Treat with vet-guided potassium supplements (oral chloride/gluconate or IV) plus fixing the underlying cause—never overdose, as excess potassium risks the heart.
How to Handle Bleeding Gums in Cats
Bleeding gums in cats are usually caused by tartar, periodontal disease, loose teeth, poor nutrition, or injury. Check the mouth, use pet-safe oral sprays, brush regularly with cat toothpaste, and see a vet if inflammation or heavy tartar is present.
Is It Safe to Drink Water a Cat Has Licked?
For a healthy adult, an occasional sip of water a healthy cat has licked is low risk — your immune system handles small amounts of bacteria. Avoid it when the cat is sick (stomatitis, gingivitis, vomiting, or diarrhea), when you are immunocompromised (elderly, children, pregnant, diabetic, or living with HIV), or when the water is heavily contaminated. If you accidentally drink it and feel fine, just hydrate well — no panic needed.