Have you ever noticed a slimy or fuzzy feeling on your teeth and wondered what it’s caused by? That slimy plaque layer is actually a group of microorganisms, collectively called a biofilm. A biofilm is a community of bacteria that protect themselves by bonding together, making them very difficult to remove. Yuck, right?
Luckily, you brush your teeth (or at least we hope you do!), but what about your cat? While plaque in your cat’s mouth may not keep you awake at night, it can have damaging long-term effects on your cat’s overall health. Plaque biofilm can harden into tartar, which can lead to more serious conditions, such as periodontal disease. Early signs of periodontal disease are bad breath, bleeding gums, and tooth loss.
To keep your cat happy and healthy, early removal of biofilm buildup is vital—left untreated it can lead to expensive veterinary dental work and pain and suffering for your pet. If you and your cat struggle with daily tooth brushing, try a product such as the oral spray or water additive from Bluestem Oral Care, which are scientifically formulated with food-grade ingredients to help fight plaque and tartar by safely breaking down biofilm where harmful bacteria multiply. In a clinical study, dogs receiving Bluestem water additive alone saw a 25.4 percent reduction in tartar after 84 days. Simply add two capfuls of the water additive every time you fill your cat’s water bowl, or you can use the oral spray once a day. Of course, if you have your cat’s cooperation, go for their toothpaste (tooth brushing is the the gold standard for oral care, but you actually have to do it.) Whichever you choose, make it a daily routine you’ll follow through on, and you can save your cat’s teeth and your pocketbook.