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My cat has gingivitis. What are the best at-home dental care options?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 1 year and 9 months old | 6.3 lbs

I just came from the vet and the doctor said that she could have periodontal disease or gingivitis but they kept trying to sell me things, so what can I do they said it's a mucus looking build up but i think it's plaque. Is there anything that I can do to help her teeth or clean them?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Ana M, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 18th, 2018

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Jackie. If she has gingivitis or redness along her gum margins, she should go under anesthesia to have her teeth professional cleaned. Red gums indicate an infection in the mouth. This is actually more problematic than tartar accumulating on the teeth. Gingivitis leads to bad breath and a destruction of the attachment of the teeth. If left untreated, this can lead to chronic pain in the mouth and the eventual loss of teeth. As far as at home care, I like Maxiguard Gel as it is easier than brushing a cat's teeth. You want to look for products with the VOHC seal as these are approved for use by veterinary dentists. These products can really make a big difference for Jackie's oral health and her overall quality of life. I hope this information helps!

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 13th, 2020

    Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Honey. This is a great question! His gums do look red around the premolars in the picture, which is a sign of gingivitis. I would take him into the vet. A dental cleaning, scaling, and polishing will treat the gingivitis. After that, you can brush his teeth at home daily and give him dental treats to keep the plaque away. I hope this helps!

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