Thanks Alienredqueen and your friend for the idea!
Hair Stuck Between Teeth
Copyright Picture Zealot
Cats with long hair, that’s the kind of cats we’re talking about today. Because cats with long hair have long hair all over their body, they sometimes can get stuck with their teeth in their own hair. This can happen when they are grooming themselves, and it can be painful and frustrating. Sometimes the cat can’t even move their head anymore because their teeth are so stuck in their own hair.
Bad Breath
If you don’t do anything about it — which I hope and expect that you do something about it — and the hair stays wrapped around the teeth germs and bacteria can end up in that little piece of fur that is in the mouth. Giving your cat a bad breath.
That’s not everything. If the hair is wrapped too tight around your cat’s teeth, it can also give gum and dental issues. Like loose teeth and bad gums and it might be cutting down the blood circulation. It’s extremely uncomfortable. And I think you can compare it with something that is wrapped around your own teeth tightly.
What To Do?
Copyright David Anderson
An option is to keep the hair of your cat (especially around the chin and chest) groomed and knot-free. If the hair is matted, the chance is bigger that your cat will get stuck in his own hair.
What I think is the best option is to trim the hair around the chin and chest. A few inches/centimeters can already help so much, so your little furbal won’t get stuck anymore in his own hair with his teeth while grooming himself.
Really good point. I have never had a long haired cat so I hadn’t actually thought about it. Obviously, working at the shelter, I came across many long haired cats but didn’t see this problem happen. Maybe because we always kept them well groomed and, in reality, the long haired ones tended to be adopted out quite quickly.
Why doesn’t that surprise me that the long haired cats get out of the shelter quickly?
I wouldn’t mind if the cat is long haired or short haired, or has three legs or is blind, or young or old.
I think it’s the only thing you can do, grooming and watching the cat constantly.
Helping a long-haired cat keep itself tidy (and loose hair free) by brushing is such a grand idea. Even Sammy who has “medium” length hair enjoys being brushed several times a day. I know I have kept him from getting a lot of hairballs by doing that too. It’s good for their skin as well. I’ve NEVER thought about the possibility of long hair getting stuck between teeth and causing problems but it makes sense!
Pam
Yep, it’s good for the skin! Keeps the bloog circulation going.
I’ve never heard about it either, until Alienredqueen her friend, has a cat who has that issue. I asked around, and it seems that some cats do have it! Simply by grooming themself it gets stuck.
Thanks! I’ll pass this on to her too!
Yay!