His veterinarian said that he has lost some of his teeth, and he's been chewing on things a lot lately. He goes for pens, paper bags, boxes, etc. He eats both canned and dry food (Nutrience Senior formula).
His appetite has not changed, but he doesn't seem to like his dry food anymore. He seems to have a hard time chewing it and will often throw up whole, unchewed kibble.
2007-07-23 09:27:12 · 10 answers · asked by love_withoutboundaries 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
His last vet visit was about 3 months ago (he goes every 6 months for checkups). She checked his teeth and all she said is that he'd lost a few. She said he had some tartar build up, and that she didn't want to put him under anesthetic to clean his teeth because he is older.
2007-07-23 13:25:56 · update #1
Have you had his teeth checked recently? As in, within the last few months?
It's very common for older cats to need dental work. Their teeth simply aren't designed to last this long. He probably needs a scale and polish, and a few extractions by this age. After this, home care like dental biscuits or even brushing if he'll let you will prevent further problems further on in his life.
Your cat is showing the classic signs of needing dental work, and since cats don't usually show signs of dental pain until it's really bad - get to a vets! I'll eat my hat if he doesn't need dental work by this age - and if a vet says different, get a second opinion.
Chalice
2007-07-23 10:33:54 · answer #1 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your cat is obviously uncomfortable. If the vet can take out any decaying teeth that would be advisable. Tooth decay can lead to other health concerns as well as causing pain and frustration.
If there are no teeth to take out it is still obvious that your cat is having trouble. Don't give him dry food if he can't chew it. Vomiting is enough stress on your cat without the loss of his teeth. Your cat's gums need time to heal where he lost his teeth. Feeding him a hard kibble is not helping.
It would be my guess due to your cat's pain he has developed these chewing habits. Maybe it is soothing for your cat to gnaw on something against his gums?
Try soft food for a couple of weeks and let your cat adjust to his new mouth while his gums heal. After your cat is healed up you could try to introdue to him some soft morsels if he can handle it. Otherwise I would stick to the canned but don't feed him dry kibble anymore.
Good luck with your kitty.
2007-07-23 09:48:14 · answer #2 · answered by Dixie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wonder if your vet checked for any dental infections or disorders. There are pain medications that your cat could be put on. You may want to stop giving the dry food or start mixing a little with the canned or mixing a little water in the dry and let it sit for a little to soften before feeding. Good luck
2007-07-23 09:38:35 · answer #3 · answered by ponyprincess6002 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
His vet has presumably checked his teeth and gums? If he has gingivitis, it will hurt to eat his dry food. If you haven't taken him to the vet, this would be a good time to do so. He could also have an abcess under a broken tooth.
Don't try to give him human painkillers. The vet will prescribe if you ask.
2007-07-23 09:33:05 · answer #4 · answered by Terri B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
12 is getting up there in age first off. If its been more than 5 Mo. sense the last vet visit I would take your cat in. Sounds to me like an abscess or something is stuck in it's mouth that you can't see. If not any of the above maybe your cat is trying to entertain himself hope he gets better.
2007-07-23 09:39:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I have two cats that have had to have all their teeth removed. Due to gym disses. Take your pet to the vet ask questions about your cat, It is expensive to have the cats teeth removed and my cats are better now due to the removal of teeth. I feed all my cats hard for I have recently been giving them soft food once a day due to one of the cats she had a real bad gym disease. Hope all gets better.....
2007-07-23 09:36:22 · answer #6 · answered by Tina the cat lover 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you could use baby oragel to relieve some of the pain for the cat, or you could just have the dentist pull the teeth that are bothering him, though this is really expensive.
2007-07-23 09:32:10 · answer #7 · answered by Yessmen H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
GEt them rovmoved if the vet says that would help
2007-07-23 09:32:36 · answer #8 · answered by lil_cago1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, sure u can but only by takin him to the vet
2007-07-23 09:39:22 · answer #9 · answered by aaron 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
he may have a roten touth thats wat my cat was doing and he had a routin tooth
2007-07-23 09:53:17 · answer #10 · answered by Sabrina 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋