There are many symptoms to look for if you think your cat may have gingivitis, they include:

Bad Breath

Yellow or brown deposits on the teeth at the edge of the gums

Reddened gum edges

Receding gums and exposed tooth roots

Drooling saliva

Lack of appetite

Difficulty chewing food

Inability to close their mouth

If you discover that your cat has gingivitis, either by your own checkups or during their annual exam, the treatment is to have your cat’s teeth professionally cleaned. Your veterinarian surgeon will clean the surface of the teeth, as well as above the gum line, and may need to remove any rotten teeth. Because dental work can be very painful for cats, they are put under anesthesia. If your vet finds an infection in the gums then your cat will be placed on antibiotics.

Even though there is a medical procedure to treat gingivitis, the best treatment is to prevent it with a home dental care routine. Brushing your cat’s teeth is the best way to prevent any sort of dental problems. Brushing requires time and patience on your part, as many cats do not like having a toothbrush in their mouth. You should set aside time everyday to brush your cat’s teeth. In order to get your cat used to having something placed in their mouth, you should start with a gauze wrapped finger dipped in tuna water and massaging their gums in a circular motion. You should continue to do this until your cat is comfortable, and then move on to using cat toothpaste. After your cat is used to having your finger in its mouth as well as using toothpaste, it is now time to use a toothbrush. Remember that it is important to praise your cat for being good during this uncomfortable process, so that each time it becomes easier and easier.

However, despite all your efforts, some cats will just not allow you to brush their teeth. In this case it will be necessary to have their teeth cleaned professionally and your veterinarian will be able to determine the frequency of dental work needed.

Gingivitis can be a very serious problem for your beloved feline, so it is important to bring your cat to regular checkups as well as using home dental care procedures. Following these steps you will be able to treat and or prevent feline gingivitis so that it doesn’t develop into something more serious.

Disease

Even if your cat is vaccinated, it can run the risk of contracting a serious disease.  Feline Leukemia and FIV – Feline Immunodeficiency Virus are two diseases that are transmitted from cat to cat, and once they are contracted, it eventually results in the death of your beloved cat.

Parasites

When let outside, cats can also come in contact with fleas, ticks and ear mites, which they will then bring into your home when you let them back inside.

Poison

Poisons can be found all over the place, auto antifreeze, some plants that may be in your garden, pesticides, herbicides, and rodent poisons are especially dangerous for you cat.

Traffic

Many cats die prematurely from auto accidents.  You may think your cat is “streetwise” about cars, but no matter how alert they are, they are no match for a fast moving vehicle.

Other Animals

Fights with other cats, dogs and wildlife can lead to diseases, injury, or even death.

All of these dangers can be easily avoided, and your cat can live a long healthy life if you keep it indoors.

Water Dish

Cats like all animals, need a ready source of fresh drinking water.  Despite what you may have heard, cats should not drink milk, as most of them are in fact lactose intolerant.  What’s more important that the dish is that you provide clean fresh drinking water for your cat each day.

Food Dish

Your adopted cat will also need a food dish.  You can choose a cat food dish that matches your water dish, or you can choose a separate style.  Your cat may also be particular about what kind of bowls they will eat or drink out of, and only time will tell what kind they will eventually end up with.

Cat Food

Before bringing your newly adopted cat home, you will need to decide on what kind of food to feed it.  There are several brands, and kinds, between semi-moist, moist, and dry.  My cat eats both moist, and dry, and she loves them both.  However what kind of food you feed your cat will depend on their tastes, and their health and dietary needs.  You can consult your veterinarian to determine what is best for your cat.

Cat Litter Box

Most likely any cat that you adopt from a shelter will already be trained to use a litter box.  You will want to have the litter box ready for your cat to use as soon as you bring it home for the first time.  You should choose a sturdy plastic box that is big enough for your cat to turn around in.  If you want a top on your litter box, it needs to be tall enough so your cat does not feel trapped, although some cats don’t like the top, and won’t use the litter box if there is one on it.

Litter Box Scoop

Pet stores and many discount stores carry inexpensive plastic litter scoops.  Litter scoops are essential to removing clumps from your cat’s litter and keeping it clean, because your cat may not use the litter if it is dirty, and end up going somewhere you don’t want them to.

Kitty Litter

There are a wide variety of kitty litters, from the basic kind that you can scoop yourself at pet stores, to the more advanced kinds, which are more expensive.  The pricier options are usually the kind that are clumping, and reduce odors.  You should choose the best cat litter you can afford, and it will make cleaning the litter an easier task.

Cat Carrier

A suitable cat carrier is a must for any cat owner.  You will need it to transport your cat wherever it needs to go, from the shelter to your home and to the vet and back.  There are a variety of styles, brands, and prices for cat carriers.  The most important thing is getting a carrier that is big enough for your cat to be able to turn around in.  All of the other options, such as color, shape and brand are up to you, since chances are no matter what kind you get, your cat won’t like it anyways.

Cat Brush

Whether you adopted a long or short haired cat, all cats shed, and therefore need to be groomed.  Many cats enjoy being groomed, and it will keep your cat happy, and there will be less hair on your couch.

Cat Toys

There are dozens of different cat toys available, and finding the ones your cat likes will be sort of trial and error.  However if you don’t want to spend any extra cash on cat toys, many cats are satisfied with balled-up socks, tennis balls, pieces of string or yarn, and many other items that you probably already have in your home.

• If you rent, make sure to check with your landlord to see if pets are allowed.  Many landlords allow cats, but you want to be sure, because some shelters require confirmation from your landlord that animals are permitted.
• Find an animal shelter in your area, and take a visit to check out what cats are available.  You should go with some idea of what you want in mind.  Kittens are much more active and require a lot more attention than adults.  All cats shed, but long haired cats shed more, and usually require daily brushing.
• Once you find a cat that you like, the shelter workers will place the cat in a small room with you, to see how the two of you get along.  Usually you can spend as much time as you like (depending on how busy they are) with the cat, and you can also spend time with many different cats, in order to find which cat is the best match for you.
• After choosing your cat, you will be required to fill out paperwork, which can vary between adoption shelters.  Usually it involves some sort of application that tells them the living environment you will be providing for your cat.
• Lastly, enjoy the love and affection from your fuzzy new family member.

Cats are everywhere, and many of them are very much adoptable.  They are cute and cuddly, and very loving and loyal.  Many of us who have cats, couldn’t imagine our lives without our furry felines.  There are many benefits to adopting a cat.  Studies have shown that cat owners are less likely to be depressed, or suffer from anxiety attacks, and it has also been shown that owning a cat can add 10 to 15 years to your life.

Aside from these two great benefits, there are many more.

By adopting a shelter cat you are helping to ease the overpopulation of these loving animals, and you also benefit from knowing that you saved an animal’s life.

When you adopt from a shelter, you know that the workers’ have the cat’s best interest in mind, unlike adopting from a private seller, who most likely just wants to make some extra cash.

Many cats are very low-maintenance, especially if you adopt an older cat.  Mature cats are already spayed or neutered, and they are litter box trained, therefore the initial effort on your part is practically non-existent.

There is a price that comes with adopting a cat, however the price is typically lower than if you bought a kitten at a pet store.  This price covers the spaying or neutering, and initial vaccinations, both of which you would otherwise have to schedule and pay for on your own.

Lastly, adopting a cat means you are adopting a friend for life.  Not only are you enriching the life of your furry new friend, but they are enriching your life as well.