Brushing Your Cat's Teeth

Brushing your cat's teeth should be an important part of the grooming routine. A recent survey held on this site showed that only twelve percent of cat owners brush their cat's teeth on a daily basis. Most cat owners prefer to hold an oral hygiene session only once or twice a week. More than twenty percent never brush their cat's teeth.

Brushing the teeth of an adult cat that is not used to the process can be difficult. Yet, any veterinary dentist will tell you that brushing regularly once a day can make a major difference to your cat's dental health.

Why Brush

Good quality food may provide a cat with all the required nutrients, but it doesn't fight the accumulation of plaque and tartar on teeth as well as a natural diet would. In the wild, tearing through skin and bone, removes these deposits much better than any dry food kibbles.

Without this natural cleaning process, the cat's teeth may get covered in residue and bacteria are likely to take a hold there. The bacteria often cause tooth decay and gingivitis.

Brushing the cat's teeth everyday helps fight off plaque and bacteria. This significantly decreases the need for professional teeth cleaning by the vet and keeps your cat's teeth and gums clean and healthy.

The Brush And The Paste

You should never use a toothbrush or toothpaste designed for people. The brush would be too tough for the cat's delicate gums and the paste can be toxic for cats.

There are brushes and pastes designed specifically for cats and these are the ones you need to get. You may want to try a finger brush that fits onto your finger and gives you better control of your movements.

Let's Brush...

It's best to start with a regular brushing routine when the cat is young. Kittens usually adjust best to having their teeth brushed. Make brushing time fun for the cat and never lose your temper, even if kitty is reluctant to have her teeth handled. After all, this is not a natural thing for a cat to endure.

Start by gently massaging the cat's gums and teeth with your fingers. Repeat this for several short sessions for several days. Try to pick out times when your cat is calm and praise her every time and even give her treats. Your aim is to create a positive association with the procedure of having her gums and teeth touched.

When your cat accepts these sessions with ease, try to introduce the brush. Remember to use only a toothbrush designed for cats. Again, make sessions short and enjoyable and stop just before your cat becomes uncomfortable. At this stage, you can also introduce the paste. Make sure that it's a flavor that Kitty likes.

If you want to get your adult cat used to having her teeth brushed, it may be best to start with a veterinary dental check-up. Many adult cats suffer from a mild form of gingivitis. Their teeth may look all right to you, but trying to brush them will cause pain and perhaps even bleeding. This in itself may be enough to turn your cat off dental care for good, so it's best to consult a vet first. Once the vet gives the all clear, you can train older cats to tolerate brushing in the same way as you would a kitten.

Anne Moss is the founder and owner of TheCatSite.com. She is a cat behaviorist and a member of the Cats Writers Association.