This week on the Golden Whiskers Podcast, I’m re-sharing one of the most downloaded episodes from last year — my conversation with feline longevity expert Penny Wood, also known as Dr. Zoolittle.
I wanted to bring this episode back because dental health is one of those topics many of us know is important for our cats… but we still may not really know what to do with it.
Honestly, I learned a lot of this the hard way with Nomar and Mia.
Nomar ended up needing teeth pulled later in life. Mia also had dental problems, but by the time they were discovered, she was already dealing with kidney disease and other health challenges, and we had to make some very difficult decisions around treatment and anesthesia.
Now with Niko and Milo, I’m trying to approach things differently and be more proactive instead of reactive. And as I listened back to this interview myself, I realized I still haven’t fully acted on some of the things Penny shared. So this re-release is a reminder for me too.
🎧 In This Episode
Penny and I discuss:
Why dental health is connected to the entire body
How oral bacteria can affect the kidneys, liver, and overall health
Signs of dental problems cat parents often miss
Why brushing your cat’s teeth may not be the only option
The myth that kibble naturally cleans cats’ teeth
How wild cats naturally maintain healthier teeth
Natural approaches to prevention and tartar support
What Penny feeds her own cats, Merri and Pippin
😳 One of the Biggest Takeaways
One thing that really stuck with me is Penny explaining why dry food doesn’t necessarily clean cats’ teeth the way many of us were told.
She compares it to trying to clean your own teeth with candy or toffee — technically abrasive, but still loaded with carbohydrates and sugars that bacteria love. It was one of those “wait… what?” moments for me.
🌿 About Penny Wood (Dr. Zoolittle)
Penny is a longevity zoologist, zoo welfare consultant, mammal trainer, and pet health concierge specializing in animal longevity, cognitive enrichment, and holistic wellness.
You can learn more about her work here:
💬 Final Thought
Dental issues are now one of the most common reasons pets visit the vet — and according to Penny, cats as young as two are already showing signs of dental disease.
If you’ve ever wondered:
“Should I brush my cat’s teeth?”
“Does kibble actually help?”
“What are realistic things I can do?”
…this episode is worth a listen.
And if you already have a dental routine that’s working for your cat, I’d genuinely love to hear about it.
Grab Penny’s free dental care guide for cats, a must-read for starting preventive measures or tackling existing dental issues. 📚 You can download the guide here.
