My 12 year old cat has been diagnosed with gingivitis and apart from the obvious concerns- I am wondering what would be the best way to feed him. He is having some serious dental work at the vets tomorrow(Tuesday). His diet at the moment is dried food and cat mince and at his age it will be difficult to change his habits. Any ideas please.
2007-03-25 22:02:52 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
My cat had serious dental work at age 16. I mashed up her regular food with water so she could just lick it up. Cats are pretty hardy, I bet she'll be back to eating wet food as normal in a few days, and even biscuits in time. The vet can also offer you some soft food especially for convalescence, high in nutrients. You could try it, it's often pretty popular in cats! Don't be surprised if kitty doesn't want to eat at all on the day of the dental, she will probably still be feeling the effects of the anaesthetic.
Chalice
2007-03-25 22:27:57 · answer #1 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as you change over slowly and your cat doesnt mind the new diet you shouldnt have too many problems. If you present the new food in a bowl as soon as he gets home he will not only not feel like eating it he will avoid it. Try giving him his normal diet until his mouth has healed. If will eat meat strips this is ideal. One week after his dental try changing his food. Start with a few kibble in his new diet. Give him less of his normal diet ie if he gets 1 cup then give him 3/4 cup with 2 kibble of the new food, the next day do the same but add in 5 new kibble, then continue this over 2 weeks until you have gradually changed him over. Remember to remove his old kibble when adding in the new and keep the portions small until totally changed over. If he selectively eats such that on the final day when you changed to 100% new kibble he wont eat it - dont push it. He will starve to death before his gingivitis will kill him but at least you will know that you tried your hardest for him. If he will eat chicken wings or necks a couple times a week this is also acceptable, not to mention if it is really too difficult then pulse therapy antibiotics is also acceptable. Hope this helps.
2007-03-25 22:39:04 · answer #2 · answered by Callie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to your local vets and choose one of the dental diets, you dont have to feed it as a complete diet just do half and half with his normal food. The best is hills t/d these biscuits are good because they are large which means the cat has to break them down cleaning their teeth. So if the vets can treat the gingvitis, to maintain their teeth buy some special food.
One of my two cats was diagnosed with v.mild gingivitis about 6months ago and i feed them both with wet pouches and T/D dry so as they get what they like and need.
2007-03-25 22:12:18 · answer #3 · answered by hayles 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Slowly change his dry food (over a month) to Eukanuba Feline Senior as it has a dental defense in it.
Or add hills t/d to the diet, doesn't need to be the entire diet only 30-40% it is quiet palatable as it is coated in chicken fat. Instead of mince give him chunks or strips of meat so that he has to rip and tear at it.
The night after surgery/dental give him mince esp if he has had extractions as his mouth will be sore.
2007-03-25 22:07:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our vet recommended giving raw chicken bones to our cat. We bought some chicken necks. When we actually give them to our cat we can say if it works. That's just what the vet said, and I guess a vet woud know.
2007-03-26 00:34:36 · answer #5 · answered by Ant 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You will find that your kitty will prefer eating soft foods now. If you like, you can always soften his dry food with water... let it get just a little soggy so he doesn't have to crunch. If the dry food biscuits are small, your cat may simply swallow them whole (my cat does that).
2007-03-25 22:10:41 · answer #6 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think Chan hit it right on the nose.
2007-03-25 22:19:47 · answer #7 · answered by mroof! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋