Meet Mr. Meowgi, or as he’s affectionately known at home, Mowgers. This perpetually displeased-looking feline joined our family about three and a half years ago. It all started when my husband, in a moment of surprising encouragement, suggested I finally get a cat if I felt ready. Having recently lost a beloved cat during my demanding veterinary school days, I was yearning to fill that void, but only for the right cat – one that truly “spoke to me”. Enter Mowgers, a tiny, four-week-old stray kitten with a touch of head trauma, and apparently, a lot to say with his perpetually grumpy face.
So angry. So small. This could be the tagline for a “Can I Pet Your Kitty” meme featuring Mowgers, right? His perpetually unimpressed expression definitely gives off those vibes. And honestly, I have a soft spot for cats with a bit of facial uniqueness – let’s just say, normal-faced cats are a rarity in my home. Mowgers has certainly lived up to his interesting first impression. He has a very clear preference in our household: he tolerates me, his provider, but absolutely adores my husband. As you can imagine, as his primary caregiver, this dynamic is…frustrating. I often witness these “moments” between them, these interactions filled with feline affection that are never directed my way. My husband, a first-time cat owner, swears Mowgers even purrs for him occasionally. Meanwhile, the only vocalizations I elicit from Mowgers are deep growls, sometimes punctuated with a charming high-pitched whine. Luckily, his face is undeniably endearing, because our relationship is…let’s call it complex.
Mowgers nestled beside a younger kitten, Phil, showcasing the size difference and Mowgers' typical grumpy expression even around his 'baby brother'.
Mowgers and his baby brother, Phil. Even next to a kitten, Mowgers maintains his signature grump. It’s this very grumpiness that might make you hesitate and ask “Can I Pet Your Kitty Meme?” before approaching him in real life. However, despite his standoffish demeanor towards me, curiosity got the better of me one day. During one of the rare moments Mowgers allowed me within semi-close proximity, I decided, for reasons still unknown to me, to check his teeth. It wasn’t like we had a history of positive dental interactions; in fact, most of our tooth-related encounters involved him biting me for seemingly no reason. But, being a veterinarian, I have this ingrained habit of performing mini physical exams on animals I meet, even outside of work. My mother jokingly asks if I’m “palpating” her dog every time I simply pet him!
Anyway, back to my inexplicably brave decision to inspect Mowgers’ teeth. To my utter surprise, this young, seemingly healthy, perpetually grumpy cat had tartar. And not just a little – a significant amount! Suddenly, I was faced with a dilemma: ignore this finding, or put on my “veterinarian hat” and address it.
Offending tartar. In the middle of his tooth, cause why would we do anything normal? Just like his meme-worthy grumpiness might be unexpected, so was this tartar buildup in such a young cat. It certainly wasn’t the picture of perfect dental health you might expect.
Choosing to be responsible (and slightly terrified), I knew I couldn’t ignore it. Mowgers needed a dental exam. It became clear that he hadn’t inherited the best dental genes, perhaps those were all used up in creating that wonderfully expressive, albeit grumpy, face. As a vet, I understood that addressing dental issues early is crucial. A dental exam now, while he was still young, meant a quicker procedure and a better chance at a healthier mouth for years to come. Delaying treatment, especially since I’d already noticed the tartar a year prior, would only lead to discomfort for Mowgers.
Bet you can imagine how much he loves me doing this. This is probably the face Mowgers would make if you actually did ask “Can I pet your kitty meme?” and then attempted to touch him. But even grumpy cats deserve proper care, even if they don’t outwardly appreciate it.
Our pets are incredibly resilient, often braver than we give them credit for, especially when dealing with discomfort. They are masters at hiding pain; they rarely vocalize distress, and they often continue eating even when their mouths are far from healthy. However, just because they are eating and appear relatively content, doesn’t mean they aren’t experiencing oral discomfort. This stoicism is why proactive dental care is so important. We can’t rely on obvious signs of pain to tell us when something is wrong.
So, I scheduled that dental exam for Mowgers. Despite being a veterinarian myself, I was filled with the same nervousness any pet owner feels before their furry friend undergoes a procedure. It’s always a little scary. But I knew I was doing the right thing for him. And while I might not be able to magically turn that frown upside down, I hoped to salvage his teeth so he could continue…well, maybe not biting me for many more years, but at least maintaining good oral health. I trusted our dental team implicitly; I know how seriously they take their roles in ensuring pets have healthy mouths. I knew they would treat Mowgers as if he were their own, making diligent and informed decisions for his well-being.
I plan to share Mowgers’ dental care journey with you all, chronicling the experience of this grumpy meme-worthy cat and his slightly anxious veterinarian mom. Perhaps following Mowgers’ story will encourage you to be brave too, and take that important step of scheduling a dental checkup for your own beloved pet.
