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It is possible to clean your cat's teeth to
remove plaque and prevent tartar build-up, but he
needs to become accustomed to this when young.
Preparations such as "Logic" toothpaste
can be rubbed onto his teeth without requiring a
brush. You could gently rub his teeth and gums
with a piece of gauze or veterinary toothbrush
soaked in special mouth rinse or coated with
cat-specific paste. Human toothpaste is not
suitable - he won't like the taste, it makes him
drool and may be toxic if swallowed. If your cat
has a build-up of tartar, get the vet to de-scale
his teeth under anesthetic and remove any teeth
which are beyond saving. Afterwards, establish a
regular teeth-cleaning routine. This requires
patience if he has never had his teeth brushed or
cleaned before!
General anesthesia is riskier
in older cats, but this should not prevent any
dental surgery. Modern anesthetics are becoming
ever safer and modern vet clinics are
well-equipped and have trained staff. Surgery
should be carried out when your cat is well -
sooner rather than later as loss of appetite cause
additional problems. Prompt action at the first
signs of mouth problems could save your cat's
teeth and prevent gum infections.
After a dental operation, your cat needs softer
food while his gums heal. I have known cats tuck
into their favorite dried food within a few hours
of going home which shows how much better they
feel once painful teeth have gone. Others remain
miserable for a few days as the gums are sore and
they must be persuaded to eat. Your vet may
prescribe antibiotics or painkillers and will
explain how often to give them. Your cat will need
a post-op check up to ensure his gums are healing.
When mouth problems are resolved, your cat's
appetite and normal grooming usually soon return.
Many cats get a new lease of life after dental
work, grooming neglected areas and becoming more
active once the source of pain has gone.
Sleeping
Places
Mature healthy cats sleep deeply for 15% of
their lives and doze for a further 50% of the
time, longer if bored. They are fully awake for
35% of their time (6-8 hours a day) mostly at dusk
and dawn as this is when cats usually hunt. Older
cats may sleep as much as 18 hours each day. Cats
come back to full alertness faster than any other
creature; but older cats sleep more deeply, are
slower to rouse and may be disoriented on waking.
Deaf cats sleep deeply because they can't hear
sounds around them and have a false sense of
security.
Most cats are happy to sleep in a blanket-lined
box or on chairs or beds. If you want to buy your
elderly cat his own cat bed or basket choose one
large enough that he does not have to curl up
tightly; older cats are less supple and less able
to fit themselves into small cat beds. Most
elderly cats find beanbag beds comfortable as the
polystyrene beans retain heat and support a
rickety body or stiff limbs. Position his bed away
from draughts as cats dislike draughts. This is
particularly important with older cats as they
have less insulating fat and cannot withstand
extremes of temperature as easily as youngsters.
Most cats automatically seek out the warmest spot
in the house so placing his bed near a warm
radiator at night keeps him warm, especially in
winter. A covered hot-water bottle or a heated pad
(electrical or microwaveable) designed specially
for pets (from pet-shops or vet clinics), is
useful if he feels the cold or is recovering from
illness.
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