Chinchilla

　　Cats eating soft food easily accumulate a large amount of leftover food residues and bacteria on their teeth. I found that most cats over 2 years old suffer from tartar disease, most commonly occurring in cats eating moist soft food, and the ages 5–8 are the periods when tartar disease is more prevalent. Dental problems in cats usually start with plaque—the soft, transparent or milky white adhesive substance on the tooth surface that can be scraped off gently with a fingernail. If plaque is not removed, minerals in saliva will cause the plaque to transform into tartar. Once cats develop tartar, it affects their eating and digestion, causing weight loss and reduced immunity.

　　Tartar mostly forms on the premolars, especially the upper premolars, while the molars, canines, and incisors are less often affected. In the early stages of tartar buildup, cats show no behavioral or eating habit abnormalities, but if you open their mouth, you can see a layer of pale yellow tartar on the upper premolars or other teeth. As tartar gradually increases, it causes gum damage and periodontitis. At this stage, cats will have tooth pain when eating, eat less, refuse hard food, and may even drop food from their mouth while eating, with drooling and bad breath. Opening the cat’s mouth at this time reveals tartar of varying sizes on the premolars, gums around the tooth roots are red and slightly swollen, and teeth with severe tartar may be loose to varying degrees. Tartar is a breeding ground for bacteria, and bacterial growth causes inflammation. The bacteria causing gingivitis can enter the cat’s bloodstream, causing problems in the lungs, kidneys, liver, and heart. Therefore, preventing cat tartar is a primary task for maintaining cat health.