brushing cat teeth

do any of you brush your cats teeth? if so can you tell me how you do it?

and I heard use baking soda if got no cat tooth past but isn't baking soda toxic to cats?

i'm asking because i want to start brushing my cats teeth.

I would like to start brushing my cat's teeth too. Petco sells little finger brushes and flavored toothpaste for cats. I have read that it's best to start slowly to get them used to it. So the first time you try it just touch their mouth a little bit and let them taste it. If you're lucky they might like the flavor. Gradually get to the point where you can touch their teeth a little (just the outside part of the teeth).

There are some tooth brushing threads on here if you want to read more. I bet there are some videos on you tube also.

I wouldn't use baking soda. Get the toothpaste made especially for cats or even just brushing alone can help remove some tarter.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes if you try it.

thanks I still like some more info and i'm going to get the past and brush at petco

Mewlittle said:

do any of you brush your cats teeth? if so can you tell me how you do it?


i'm asking because i want to start brushing my cats teeth.

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Mewlittle, I'm going to answer those 2 questions in reverse order.........

#2 - "It is recommended that".......but, it's also common sense that, before we start brushing an adult cat's teeth, the cat really should be examined by a competent Vet. Many reasons for that, one of them being that cats can AND COMMONLY DO develop a unique type of tooth decay issue which, if not detected and treated, can cause major problems immediately and for the longer term - including really making for a very unpleasant/painful/aversion experience for the cat which you DO NOT WANT - so.....unless, this is a kitten or a very young cat (with "good looking" teeth, you will really want an exam BEFORE you start.

#1 - before you watch these videos, please understand that, if this is going to work for you, you MUST prepare yourself for it being a very sloooooow process...it may even take several months before a full, proper brushing can be done. It needs to be done incrementally, in little steps if you want to achieve success. OK, here you go: http://www.partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/pet-owners/cat-teeth In the top left corner, there's this menu to watch the whole series or individual segmants.

• Play Entire Video
• Introduction
• Brushing and Your Cat's Health
• Preparation
• Procedure: A 4-week Training Program

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Good luck, GO SLOW, and keep us posted!

'Forgot about this part

Mewlittle said:

and I heard use baking soda if got no cat tooth past but isn't baking soda toxic to cats?

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Baking Soda is NOT toxic to cats.....BUT it should not be used for tooth brushing....here's info about how it MIGHT be used: http://www.felinecrf.org/metabolic_acidosis.htm#bicarbonate_of_soda

Thanks White shadow i will keep you posted and i'm going to have a vet look at them first before i start because i did notice a slight redness on Brandons upper canine 2 days ago and thats what made me start wanted to brush there teeth and yes i'm going to have a vet look at him and the other first i had to re schedual his appointment from march to april because i have no transportation :/ are car is going to get fixed in april Thanks for the heads up

by the do you brush your cats teeth?

and wen I do start brushing I was thinking about doing a before and after pictures just to see how much has been done if you guys are interested in seeing the pics wen ever i do start i'll share them

Hi. I've just started brushing my cat's teeth about a month ago (he's almost a year old now) so I'm no expert but would like to share how I do it.

It's easiest when he's relaxed, like lying on your lap or on the couch. I gently flip his lips and start brushing gently. 

The above is the perfect scenario. So when he's up, I use a kibble to lure him to a convenient location. Then I let him smell the toothpaste and once he starts licking it, I go for the canines, which are the easiest. Then I make my way into the teeth at the back. Sometimes it's hard to brush their teeth the way we do with ours, i.e. brushing the front of the teeth sideways, so what I do is I let them chew into the bristle of the toothbrush.

As I've said, I'm no expert, but that's how I do it for now and I have no idea if it's even effective.

thats cool are you using a kitty toothbrush? next time i go to petco i'm getting the toothbrush and toothpaste kit they have

Mewlittle said:

Thanks White shadow

do you brush your cats teeth?

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Yup!

I use the small brush shown in that video: http://www.healthypets.com/corhykitforc.html

oh okay if you have any other tips let me know