How to Keep Kitty Tartar Away

Wonder why cats in the wild don't need yearly dental cleanings, but yours do? One theory suggests that the act of eating prey scrapes the teeth and helps keep them free of tartar, thereby preventing gum disease.

But short of providing your house cat with live rodents to munch, regularly brushing your cat's teeth offers the next best solution. (Never give your cat cooked bones. They can splinter and cause choking.) Ask your vet for tips to make brushing a painless part of your cat's daily or weekly routine.