Hi,


Although my cat eats mostly dry cat food, she has already started to get some plaque build up and a bit of bad breath (a previous vet said that cats who eat dry food don't need their teeth cleaned, but my new vet says they do)

Since this is something i will need to do often, i do not want it to be a big fight- and in fact, with this cat, it would not be POSSIBLE to "force" it on her...


So i have to work up to it gradually. It was suggested that when i am petting her, i just start getting her used to having her lip raised for a few seconds, just sort of slip it in there, and after awhile gradually move up to rubbing her teeth with my finger and then advance to using gauze pads or a face cloth....

WELL!:rolleyes:

this cat does not like to be approached to be petted, she will only accept it when she comes to me,
and when does she come to me?!?
when i am busy with something else, of course! (often when i am on the computer, she will sit in front of the monitor, or if i am laying down trying to read a book, she gets on my chest between my face and the book- or she sits on my face if she has to!!LOL)

so, it is much harder to just drop what i am doing and pet her (i do it as often as possible because she is so rarely in the mood)
On a few occasions i have been able to lift up one lip, but i am sooo far away from actually cleaning her teeth...!!
and when i DO get to the point of cleaning them, i am gonna have to get up to go get the gauze pads or whatever i use, and then she'll be off to something else, and the chance will have passed.


IS THERE ANY EASIER WAY TO DO THIS??
:confused:

any help greatly appreciated!

It sounds like you are taking the best approach. I have found that if you don't start them as kittens, it's almost world war 2 with them. With my older cats, I just take them to the vet for a good teeth cleaning when they need it.