Having a cat lash out in anger can be upsetting or even frightening for a pet owner, especially if they manage to hurt you. While it's easy to be angry at your cat for their behavior, there's a chance that what you think is anger is actually fear and pain. Consider whether your cat's teeth are responsible for their actions when you read this guide.
Teeth Problems
If your cat doesn't have bad breath and you haven't seen any significant signs of tooth problems, you might think that your cat doesn't have oral health issues. Unfortunately, unless you've taken steps to prevent this kind of thing, it's very likely that they do.
The vast majority of pets end up having dental problems at some point. In fact, it's estimated that up to 90% of all cats over the age of four have some level of gum disease. These illnesses often have no overt signs, so your cat may still have a dental problem.
In addition, cats aren't immune to cavities. On the contrary, up to 50% of cats over five suffer from tooth resorption, a condition where the tooth breaks down from the inside. Worse still, this condition can strike even with perfect oral hygiene care.
Pain
If your cat is experiencing one of the above conditions, they may be in a great deal of pain. Severe gum disease and tooth decay are both very unpleasant for a human to go through, as you may know. However, since your cat can't tell you that their mouth hurts, it's possible that the progression of the disease has gone much further than with the average person. Your cat may be lashing out simply because they're being driven crazy by the pain and need your help.
Health Risks
It's unfortunately not out of the question for your cat's pain to not simply be in the mouth either.
When cats develop cavities or gum disease, the bacteria in the mouth can get into your cat's body and bloodstream. From there, it migrates to sensitive parts of the body, like the kidneys or heart and creates inflammation. This could potentially cause serious health risks to your cat, like kidney disease or cardiovascular disease. Getting their teeth cared for is extremely important.
If you haven't had a dental check for your cat in a while -- or at all -- you should get in touch with a vet at an animal hospital right away. Make an appointment and get your cat checked out to discover if their temper is really just veiled pain.
Share2 November 2018
For years, I wanted to fill my home with happy animals. When I got married, my spouse wanted a pet just as much as I did, and it was great to start looking for pets together. We were able to find a rescue animal who worked well with our budget and our lifestyle, and it was neat to give that sweet animal a home. However, after we brought the pet into our home, we realized that he needed some medical care. We turned to a veterinarian for advice on his medical health, and we worked on getting him completely vaccinated. Check out this blog for more information on finding help early.
