Hi, I have to start brushing my cats teeth but i can't even get him to sit still for 1 minute. I have a finger brust and some special toothpaste but I don't even know how to pull back his mouth to reveal his gums and he keeps squirming. He is 1.25 years old and has yellow teeth and i've got to start brushing but he won't let me what should i do??????????? Is there special food i could give him that would clean his teeth??????
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I Need Help Brushing My Cats Teeth
- Thread starter serge
- Start Date
There is several 'dental' treats out on the market but I am unaware of their effectiveness. There's also a food made by Science diet called T/D that is designed to help control tartar build up. You can get that at your veterinarian.
As far as getting him used to brushing his teeth you have to take it slow and have a lot of patience because this is a new experience for him and he's probably wondering what the hell you're trying to do to him.
I found this article at healthypet.com. I hope it will be of some use to you.
Try to clean your pet's teeth and gums once a day, if possible, and preferably after he eats. The most important area to focus on is the gum line, where bacteria and food mix to form plaque. To customize a fearful Fido or timid Tabby to the idea of dental care, start slowly and gradually. Dip a finger into beef bouillon (for Fido) or tuna water (for Tabby), and gently rub along the gums and teeth. Focusing on the gum line, start at the front of the mouth, then move to the back upper and lower teeth and gum areas. Once your pet is okay with a little bit of touching, gradually introduce gauze over your finger, and rub the teeth and gums in a circular fashion.
When your four-legged friend can handle that, try it with a toothbrush specially designed for pets, or a very soft, ultra-sensitive toothbrush designed for people. Gradually add special dog/cat toothpaste (flavored with meat or fish), but never use people toothpaste or baking soda, as both will upset your pet's stomach. The entire process should only take a minute or two. If Fido or Tabby continue to resist, try gently wrapping them in a large bath towel with only the head out. Above all, avoid overstraining and keep sessions short and positive. With plenty of praise and reassurance, your dental sessions can bring the two of you closer---a closeness that won't be marred by the perils of dog breath
As far as getting him used to brushing his teeth you have to take it slow and have a lot of patience because this is a new experience for him and he's probably wondering what the hell you're trying to do to him.
I found this article at healthypet.com. I hope it will be of some use to you.
Try to clean your pet's teeth and gums once a day, if possible, and preferably after he eats. The most important area to focus on is the gum line, where bacteria and food mix to form plaque. To customize a fearful Fido or timid Tabby to the idea of dental care, start slowly and gradually. Dip a finger into beef bouillon (for Fido) or tuna water (for Tabby), and gently rub along the gums and teeth. Focusing on the gum line, start at the front of the mouth, then move to the back upper and lower teeth and gum areas. Once your pet is okay with a little bit of touching, gradually introduce gauze over your finger, and rub the teeth and gums in a circular fashion.
When your four-legged friend can handle that, try it with a toothbrush specially designed for pets, or a very soft, ultra-sensitive toothbrush designed for people. Gradually add special dog/cat toothpaste (flavored with meat or fish), but never use people toothpaste or baking soda, as both will upset your pet's stomach. The entire process should only take a minute or two. If Fido or Tabby continue to resist, try gently wrapping them in a large bath towel with only the head out. Above all, avoid overstraining and keep sessions short and positive. With plenty of praise and reassurance, your dental sessions can bring the two of you closer---a closeness that won't be marred by the perils of dog breath
I have had a small experience with dental food. I was concerned about my cat's teeth as well, and simultaneously, my vet at the time had told me that Mina also needed to lose a little weight. So, I decided to play with her a little more (for the weight problem), and give her some dental kibbles in her regular food as well. This totally backfired. She gained weight instead of losing it, and her teeth didn't respond all that great (I don't want to say that this is how it is; this is just what happened with my cat). I took her back to the vet, who told me that Dental foods are high in fat, so this approach had been wrong for me, since we were trying to lose weight. Her weight problem was of more importance at the time than her teeth.
well, that's all. The article above is great - I will take that suggestion as well. Hope it helped a little!
well, that's all. The article above is great - I will take that suggestion as well. Hope it helped a little!
The dry food is better for the teeth. It helps to scrape away the tarter (sp?) Too much wet food and it will cling to the teeth.
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I have two very different cats and I brush both of their teeth.
Isabel is the model cat, she lets me lay her on her back and I brush her teeth with no fuss at all.
Sarah is another story altogether. She is a very hyper cat that doesn't stay still or pay attention to anything for long at all. She is at the point of letting me brush her teeth if I do it fast enough now. What I did with her is first I made the toothbrush like a special toy. I wiggled it in front of her mouth and encouraged her to bite it. When she would bite the brush I would twist the brush so it got her used to the bristled moving in her mouth. That took a couple weeks. Now, she is very interested in tooth brushing but it needs to be fairly quick. She meows while I put the paste on her brush. Then I scoop her up, hold her almost like bagpipes... her body under my elbos, I tilt her head up and pull her lips back with one finger and brush quickly. Her attention span is slowly increasing.
So, those are my techniques.
Isabel is the model cat, she lets me lay her on her back and I brush her teeth with no fuss at all.
Sarah is another story altogether. She is a very hyper cat that doesn't stay still or pay attention to anything for long at all. She is at the point of letting me brush her teeth if I do it fast enough now. What I did with her is first I made the toothbrush like a special toy. I wiggled it in front of her mouth and encouraged her to bite it. When she would bite the brush I would twist the brush so it got her used to the bristled moving in her mouth. That took a couple weeks. Now, she is very interested in tooth brushing but it needs to be fairly quick. She meows while I put the paste on her brush. Then I scoop her up, hold her almost like bagpipes... her body under my elbos, I tilt her head up and pull her lips back with one finger and brush quickly. Her attention span is slowly increasing.
So, those are my techniques.
