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• Kittens have about 26 temporary teeth at two to three weeks of
age. Their 30 permanent teeth erupt at about three to four months.
• According to studies, about 70 percent of cats have signs of gum
disease by age 3.
• Cervical line lesions are the most common tooth disease in domestic
cats. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least
one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.
Home Care Tips
In addition to providing regular dental checks for their pets,
pet owners can take steps at home to ensure good oral health:
• Feed a specially formulated pet food with proven oral health
benefits in daily plaque and tartar control.
• Brush the pet’s teeth with a specially formulated toothpaste
in flavors appealing to cats. Toothpaste for humans should not be used
because it is not meant to be swallowed and so can cause upset stomachs
for pets.
VOHC Certification
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) was created in 1997 to certify
veterinary dental products that effectively control plaque and calculus
in cats and dogs. For products positioned for different-sized pets, the
manufacturer must
submit separate efficacy studies for each size.
Products that have received the VOHC seal of acceptance to date include:
Hill’s Prescription Diet® t/d™ (feline), Science Diet®
Oral Care™ diets, Friskies® Feline Dental , Friskies® Cheweez™
beefhide treats, Purina Veterinary Diets® DH Dental Health™
(feline), and Feline Greenies®.
For more information, visit the VOHC Web site at www.vohc.org.
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