Cats are often funny little creatures that can delight their pet parents with their antics. However, if your cat is making growling sounds while eating its food, that may not be as funny or cute as you think it is. There's a chance that this is the first sign of a problem going on with your cat's health. Read on to learn more about this issue and what you can do about it.
Why the Growl
Some cats do growl from when they're kittens while eating, as a sort of territorial behavior. However, if your cat has only developed the tendency to growl while eating recently, it may be something else.
Many cats growl while eating because they're in physical pain. Think for a moment about the hardness of cat kibble and even the relative toughness of some meaty cat foods. If your cat has one or more bad teeth, they may be in agony trying to chew through their food. This is a likely cause for your cat's growling and one that deserves attention.
Outcomes
If you don't get your cat help and they do have a bad tooth or diseased gums, it could lead to long-term health problems down the road. Your cat could lose one or more of its teeth, or experience tooth resorption, a painful condition that cats go through.
Some veterinarians and scientists even believe that there may be a link between bad teeth, gum disease, and kidney disease. Considering that kidney disease is fatal for cats, with no known cure, it's wise to do anything you can to reduce the risk of your cat developing this condition.
Getting Help
The good news is, your veterinarian is ready and available to help you with your cat's teeth. Vets are trained to care for pets from tip to toe, so they're able to assess and treat teeth and gums as needed.
After an exam, your vet will likely recommend extracting any bad teeth and cleaning the remaining ones. This will help your cat's gums to recover and heal and may help to preserve your cat's remaining teeth. This will all be done under general anesthesia, so your cat won't experience any pain.
Once your cat has recovered in the vet's ICU, they'll be sent home with you. All you need to do is feed them soft food and wait for their gums to heal. In some cases, your vet may give you an antibiotic to feed to your cat.
Regular tooth brushing at home and cleanings at the vet's office will help to prevent further tooth loss for your cat. Talk to your vet and set up recurring appointments to ensure that your kitty doesn't lose any more teeth.
For more information, reach out to animal hospitals like Oakton Animal Hospital.
