Is your cat’s teeth full of plaque? Worried that they’ll be prone to periodontal disease in the future? Just like humans, you also need to keep your cat’s teeth brushed. Oral health is vital in felines because it can significantly affect their day-to-day living and overall health.

Contrary to popular belief, brushing your cat’s teeth is actually easy. As long as you have the necessary supplies and know the proper techniques, you can brush your cat’s teeth with ease.

Why Should You Brush Your Cat’s Teeth?

Imagine not brushing your teeth for one year, and you’ll have a better sense of how it feels to be a cat. Neglecting your cat’s dental health can cause plaque buildup in their mouth, which can eventually harden and turn into tartar. Tartar accumulation is harder to remove and can cause periodontal disease.

Most cats with periodontal disease will show signs of gingivitis (redness and bleeding along the gingiva at the base of the teeth) and may be unwilling to eat and turn their heads to the side when chewing. In worse cases, periodontal disease can also trigger halitosis, an oral problem that causes your cat’s breath to smell bad.

How Often Should You Brush Your Cat’s Teeth?

Ideally, you should incorporate daily brushing into your cat’s routine and have a professional dental cleaning annually with your vet. If your feline friend’s teeth and gums are in bad shape or have become extra sensitive (as they have not been thoroughly cleaned for a while), start your cat’s tooth brushing journey by taking them to the vet ASAP.

What Do You Need To Keep Your Cat’s Teeth Clean?

Never attempt to use human toothpaste and toothbrush when cleaning your cat’s mouth, as this will only do more harm than good. Instead, you need to find a smaller (and better) solution that’s ideal for your cat’s dental care. You can try the following options:

• A baby toothbrush with extra soft bristles (we highly recommend this one from Amazon).
• A cat toothbrush (like this one here).
• A finger toothbrush made specifically for felines (we love this one because of its ergonomic design).
• Pet toothpaste as this is safe for cats to swallow and comes in a taste that most cats love (you can try this one).

When Should You Start Cleaning Your Cat’s Teeth?

Cat owners should inspect and brush their pet’s teeth when they’re still kittens, preferably when they’re six months old. This will help kittens grow into adults who are tolerant of the tooth brushing process.

How Can You Brush Your Cat’s Teeth?

As mentioned, maintaining or improving your cat’s dental health is easy. Follow the tips listed below, and you can have your cat’s teeth cleaned in no time.

1. For the first couple of days, gain your cat’s trust by placing a small amount of pet toothpaste on your finger and offering it to them. Some cats will immediately love the taste of the toothpaste, while some will be reluctant. If your cat is reluctant, place a tiny amount of the toothpaste into your cat’s nose. They’ll usually lick it off and, once they have a taste, will start licking the toothpaste placed in your finger.

2. Spend the next couple of days familiarizing yourself with how you’re going to hold your cat’s head as you’re brushing their teeth. To avoid startling your cat, try this when your cat is sleepy and at a different time to when you will brush. If possible, try this several times a day, so you’ll become more confident in brushing your cat’s teeth.

• It’s better to have your cat with their back towards you rather than approaching them from the front. Aside from being less confrontational for your feline friend, this technique also gives you better control.
• Spread your hand wide, firm but with a gentle grip, and then place the palm of your hand at the top of your cat’s head but towards the back. Use your second finger and thumb to grip around the cheekbone under the eyes. Your index finger should be lifted to ensure that you don’t cover your cat’s eyes.
• Gently tilt your cat’s head upwards and use your thumb to lift your cat’s upper lip.
• Use the finger or thumb of your other hand to gently pull your cat’s lower lip. This should give you a good view of all of one side of your cat’s teeth.

3. For the next two to three days, hold your cat’s head in the same way. But instead of using your second hand to hold their lower lip down, apply some toothpaste to a cotton bud and gently rub the toothpaste into your cat’s teeth in a circular motion.

• Start at the back of the teeth, as these are the ones that are the most difficult to reach but are the most important to brush. Gradually work your way forward until you reach the long feline teeth.
• If your cat tries to obstruct you with their feet, have someone hold your cat’s front legs or wrap their feet with a towel or blanket if you’re working alone.
• It’s better if you try to get your cat used to having their mouth touched by repeating the step-by-step instructions above until you feel you’re ready to progress to the next stage.

4. By this time, you can start using a toothbrush. The process here is still the same – you need to move the toothbrush in circular motions starting from the back. Start brushing a few teeth on each side of your cat’s mouth and gradually increase the time to 45 seconds per side. When you start to brush your cat’s teeth, you might see bleeding in your cat’s gums. This is common, but as you regularly brush their teeth, the bleeding will eventually stop.
5. If you find that accomplishing each task for a couple of days is too fast, take as much time as you need to ensure that your cat feels comfortable with the procedure. The goal here is to help your cat accept brushing as part of their daily routine and help them see brushing as a positive experience, so don’t rush the process.
6. Sometimes, brushing your cat’s teeth will come off easier when you have professionals show you how it’s done. If you’re struggling to brush your cat’s teeth on your own, set an appointment with your vet.

What Are Alternative Or Complementary Home Care Techniques?

While some cats will eventually love the idea of having their teeth brushed, others will not tolerate brushing regardless of how much you try. Fortunately, there are still many ways to prevent plaque and tartar formation among felines even if they detest tooth brushing:

1. Your vet might recommend a “dental diet” for your cat. This type of diet is made specifically to control plaque and tartar and can be beneficial for cats with a dental disease where home brushing is challenging.

2. If your cat has a soft diet, consider adding dry food. The texture of dry food can naturally remove plaque and tartar from your cat’s teeth, making it easier for you to maintain their dental health.
3. Cat dental chews and other dental treats are also excellent alternatives in keeping your cat free from any dental diseases. These are sold in almost every pet store and come in a wide variety of flavors. To help you narrow down your search, ask for recommendations from your vet, as they’ll know the most effective and delicious dental treats available today.
4. If your cat likes the taste of the pet toothpaste, you can apply some to their dental treats. This will allow the toothpaste to rub against their teeth.
5. Chlorhexidine gels and mouthwashes are also available for cats. These dental products help reduce bacterial growth in your cat’s mouth, reducing your cat’s risk of bad breath and other oral health problems.

Are There Any Other Dental Tips Necessary In Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth?

Cats can be difficult when it comes to oral hygiene. Expect that the process will not be easy, especially when you attempt to clean your cat’s teeth for the first time. Listed below are some dental tips and tricks that can make the process easier:

• Take your cat to a dental exam once every year, even if you regularly brush their teeth. It’s important to clean your cat’s gum line, and only a vet dentist can accomplish this task.

• You can skip brushing our cat’s inner surfaces (tongue side) of their teeth because most plaque builds up on the outer surfaces.
• To encourage your cat to open their mouth and let you touch their teeth, dip your finger in tuna water, chicken broth, or other enticing flavors.

It’s Easy When You Know How

Brushing your cat’s teeth can be challenging at first, but it’s not impossible to accomplish. As long as you follow all of the mentioned tips here, you can prevent the best dental care for your feline friend and ensure that they live a healthier, longer life!