HOW TO CLEAN YOUR CAT’S TEETH! - Pet grooming in Abu Dhabi - German Veterinary Clinic

1. FIVE TIPS TO HELP YOU SUPPORTYOUR FELINE FRIEND’S DENTALHYGIENE How to clean your cat’s teeth - Pet grooming in Abu Dhabi - German VeterinaryClinic Best Veterinary Clinic in Abu Dhabi - In a previous blog (Happy, Healthy Cats…)we mentioned the impact that dental hygiene can have on your feline friends and the sad fact that this is often an area that is overlooked. The reality is that by adopting a few positive habits and practices we can have a hugely beneficial impact on our cats’health and well-being! Plus, we get to clean our cats’ teeth (body protectionoptional…!) Veterinary Center in Abu Dhabi - In this article, Head Nurse Noraexplains whydental hygiene is so important for feline well-being and shares her 5 top tips for any catowner wanting to do the best for theircat.

2. THE “SILENTEPIDEMIC” German Vet Abu Dhabi- This is the phrase we used previously to describe thechallenge that poor dental health and hygiene has within the feline population and whilst it may sound dramatic, it is unfortunately very true. We all know the pain and stress that toothache can bring and I’m sure none of us would wait a second longer thannecessary to visit our owndentist. Pet Clinics in Abu Dhabi- Cats, however, are almost genetically programmed to accept pain rather than show weakness and will carry on with their everyday lives in a manner that may seem as if nothing is wrong… maybe a little less perky or interactive… but to the untrained eye they may seem“ok”.

3. Pet transport Abu Dhabi- The fact is that chronic dental disease leads to furtherinfections, illness and health challenges as well as a far reduced quality of life and therefore potentially length of life. So, it’s no exaggeration that clean teeth could be a matter oflife and death… ok, not straight away but a lot sooner thannecessary. “Dental disease is a very common problem in both young and old cats. It is thoughtthat as many as 85% of cats aged threeyears

4. and older have some sort ofdental disease.” – International CatCare Pet relocation Abu Dhabi - Luckily, there are a number of ways that we, as the lovinghuman servants/companions, can help our feline friends achieve a better level ofdental hygiene and therefore a bigger dose of daily fun andfrolics. HEAD NURSE NORA’S 5 TOPTIPS 1. LOOK OUT FOR CHANGES ATHOME Pet transport service in Abu Dhabi- Be aware of any changes to your cat’s eating /grooming behaviour at home. Many cats with dental impairment will avoid dry food, may drink excessively, or stop grooming themselves. Grooming is an important part of anycat’s life, and a cat who stops doing so is often in pain. While this may be associated with osteoarthritis or other illness, it is very common to be associated with dentaldisease.

5. You know your cat(s) better than anyone, so if you think something is not quiteright with them, it’s time for acheck-up! 2. MAINTAIN REGULARVETERINARY CHECK-UPS Pet grooming in Abu Dhabi- Healthy adult cats need a veterinary check-up at least oncea year. Younger and older cats require more frequent checks. Dental health is always checked by a veterinarian, both during routine and non-routine appointments, soplease

6. do make sure that you are up to date with these preventative check-ups, it couldbe crucial. The veterinary team will update your pet’s medical notes to record anydental issues evident and will want to monitor progress at everyopportunity. Cat Friendly clinics in Abu Dhabi- Veterinarians and veterinary nurses will be trained indental health as part of their standard education, however, as dental well-being is recognized as a both a health and welfare issue (and an area that the GVC clinical team are extremely passionate about) our vets and nurses received advanced dental healthand surgical training from a world renowned veterinary dental expert earlier thisyear. Best Pet clinics in Abu Dhabi - We pride ourselves on providing the highest level of dental expertise in Abu Dhabi and as part of our innovative Pet Health Club package, you’ll receive a free nurse consult as well as preferential rates for dental work…so no excuses!

7. 3. BRUSH YOUR CAT’STEETH! Cat Boarding in Abu Dhabi- For the gold standard in preventative care, you canintroduce brushing your cat’s teeth. This is hugely successful in reducing the need for surgical intervention and can become part of your cat’s daily routine! It sounds a bit more daunting than it is… and the vets and nurses at GVC are the best advocates to speakto about this. A couple of key points to rememberthough! • NEVER use human toothpaste – instead get a cat friendly poultry flavouredpaste! • Introduce slowly- get your cat used to the sight and smell of the brush and pasteBEFORE brushing • Get training! Our cat friendly nurses would be delighted to show you all the stepsneeded, either here at the clinic, or in the comfort of yourhome. 4. USE DENTALFOOD

8. Pet food veterinary Abu Dhabi- If tooth brushing is not agreeable with you and your cat– dental food is a great option (although not a directalternative)! Veterinary prescribed dental food can work well as an aid to better dentalhygiene. Cattery in Abu Dhabi- The food pieces are large and hard, providing a mechanical mechanism that cleans the teeth. Cats have to forcefully chew down beforeswallowing, allowing the hard pieces to help break down plaque on teeth. It also combines special ingredients that prevent the minerals in food to bind to theteeth. The combination of these actions make it an ideal choice for supplementing yourcat’s dental health regime (and you will receive a preferential price for all of our foodproducts through the Pet HealthClub)! 5.GIVE YOUR CAT PLAQUEOFF

9. Cat grooming Abu Dhabi- Another great, non-invasive option to help preserve yourcat’s dental health is to use Plaque Off sprinkled on every meal! Plaque Off is an algae- derived powder that acts naturally to prevent bad breath , and is clinically provento reduce tartar and plaque in cats. Its special cat formulation contains brewer’syeast which cats find highly palatable(YUMMY)! Pet health care plans in Abu Dhabi- OK, so cleaning your cat’s teeth may take a little bit of time to learn and although the trickiest of the tips mentioned, it does have the greatest benefits. The rest are small, simple enhancements to existing routines, all of whichwill certainly help. We do of course suggest that the first step is to visit your vet as having the right information will always aid in making the bestdecisions. German Veterinary Clinic in Abu Dhabi- Here at GVC we utilize the latest technology toaid diagnostics and deliver clinical excellence and as the first clinic in the Middle East to receive the ISFM Gold Standard Cat Friendly Clinicaward, providing the verybestfeline health care and dental hygiene really is what we dobest.

10. HOW CAN CAT OWNERS HELP THEIR FELINE FRIENDS TO LIVE AHEALTHYAND FULFILLEDLIFE? As we all know, being chosen by a cat is a privilege and an honour… it is certainlynot to be taken lightly and for those of us lucky enough to have been selected as suitable feline companions, we should always be thinking of how best we can serve supportour felinefriends. In this article, Dr. Katrin Jahn, Head Veterinary Doctor at GVC, discusses why feline health and happiness are so closely linked and shares her team’s 5 top tips for anycat owner wanting to do the best for theircat. THINK BEYOND THEBASICS There are many considerations that we can and should be doing naturally as part ofour responsibilities and if we think in simple terms then the ability to provide a safe, clean and healthy environment is always going to be the foundation to start from, throw inthe essentials of food and clean drinking water and we’re certainly off to a goodstart. However, to really make a difference and become not just a home giver but a meaningful and positive part of our cats’ lives, we need to think beyond the basicsand look at how and where happiness can be created andnurtured.

11. “The affection from a happy cat can belike no other pleasure that we will receive,and really is the gift that keeps ongiving.” As we all know, every cat has its own unique personality and there is no one-size fitsall approach…. But there are a few common tips that will always bewell-received! HEAD NURSE NORA’S 5 TOPTIPS Take a read through these top 5 tips below (provided by our Head Nurse Nora, whowe think may well be part feline), in no particularorder: 1.LOVE Lots of pet owners think cats are “easier” or “lower maintenance” than dogs andthat they require less care. This may be true of walks and exercise, but we have to remember cats cherish their time with us – over thousands of years they haveCHOSEN to domesticate themselves with us, which is very special. So we need to recognise the privilege and make time for affection, relaxation and play with ourcats. 2. PREVENTATIVE HEALTHCARE The truism in health that prevention is better than cure applies very much to allanimals, but cats can be particularly stoic and not always present outward symptoms ofpain

12. 3.DIET and/or suffering. We can prevent fatal diseases and nasty parasites by simpleand regular routine visits to the vets, it’s easy and the best first line of any pet’s healthcare (watch this space, as GVC will be soon launching our “Pet Health Club ” annual care package!) And we don’t just mean WHAT we feed our feline friends…. But HOW we feedthese wonderful creatures… Cats are SOLITARY HUNTERS (as well as obligatecarnivores). The hunting aspect in particular is extremely important and can help to teach us the correct ways to feed. Helping a cat to act out its natural tendencies and impulses can support positive play and avoid frustration based behavioural issues. Like us humans, cats really do like to keep their minds occupied and healthy (and yes, even when snoozing allday). 4.GROOMING Brushing your cat promotes bonding (see point 1), besides the obvious aestheticand comfort reasons. It really is enjoyable and relaxing for your cat. Using the correctbrush is key. Grooming for cats is also a crucial welfare issue, it can make the difference between comfort and being stricken by crippling matts (especially in long haired breeds). It is best started from a young age but also has a huge place to play forsenior cats who may struggle toself-groom. 5. DENTALCARE

13. Dental disease is a silent epidemic extremely prominent in cats and can begreatly reduced by diligent dental care at home. Regular checks at the vets are also essential and it is probable that many cats will need dental work done surgically every 3-4 years (please do keep this in mind as your cats’ health and happiness can literally dependon it). Look out for more dental tips coming soon on our blogspage. This is an area that we are all verrrrry passionate about at GVC and can talk aboutin huge detail. This may not seem as “fun” or exciting as the first four points, but dental care may well be the most crucial thing that we can all positively impact but that isso oftenoverlooked. Now, we know that none of the above are beyond every cat lover’s ability. As the first clinic in the Middle East to receive the ISFM Gold Standard Cat-Friendly Clinicaward, we recommend regular checks at GVC because feline health and happiness are inseparably intertwined. The fact is that by accepting a fantastic feline into our homes we are making a commitment that is worth every dirham spent in the joy and lovethey bring. To book your cat in for a feline check-up today, please call us on 971 (0)2 556 2024or email us atinfo@germanvet.ae.