When your cat yawns, you might get a brief glimpse at what’s going on in their mouth. After taking a peek, cat owners often ask themselves, “Are my cat’s gums normal?”

Rescue organizations witness firsthand the negative consequences of not spaying or neutering pets. Shelters and rescue agencies are overrun with neglected fur babies desperate for a home. All too many pets end up in rescues because owners didn’t take the time to spay/neuter their cats and dogs. In an effort to save future pets from this fate, rescue organizations typically pay for the medical procedure before each animal gets adopted.

Many pet owners underestimate the importance of a pet’s dental health. Since pets can’t speak to us, owners often forget they can fall prey to painful dental diseases, too. It’s easy to overlook your fur baby’s oral hygiene until they develop alarming symptoms you can no longer ignore. But with a little bit of at-home care, pet parents can prevent dental diseases from occurring in the first place.