Oral care for a 15 week old kitten?

white cat lover

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I know there are tons of threads on keeping a cats teeth & gums healthy, but I still need advice. Lily is getting to the age where she needs her teeth brushed. She is quite the laid back little kitten. She doesn't like it when I brush her teeth, but she puts up with it. I have the toothbrush that fits over your finger. It is too big to reach her back teeth. I also have some dental wipes, but I don't know how old they are. They are a cheap brand & our vet said they weren't every good. Here are my questions.
1)Where can I get a good toothbrush to fit in a kittens mouth?
2)Is toothpsate necessary? Where can I get some good stuff?
3)What about the mouthwash type stuff? I have heard of it, but beyond that know nothing.
4)Approximately when does a kitten get its "big cat" teeth?
5)I have heard about C.E.T. dental stuff. What is it & where can I get it?

I *might* get to Pet Expo on Wednesday(keep your fingers crossed that I can go), so I will see what I can find there in terms of toothbrushes & toothpaste, but they have a very limited selection. I know they don't have any toothbrushes smaller than the one I have because I looked last time I was there.

Lily will be 15 weeks old on Monday & I know I need to actually start brushing her teeth instead of talking about it. I didn't so a good job with Twitch(that, in part, is why she has no teeth
), so I need to learn all about this now. I know that crunchy kibble doesn't help much with oral care, despite what the food companies say.

Please, feel free to tell me anything, no matter how stupid it sounds, because when it comes to oral care, I don't know much!
 

sharky

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1)Where can I get a good toothbrush to fit in a kittens mouth?

they make ones that fit on your finger that should work for a kitten
2)Is toothpsate necessary? Where can I get some good stuff?
the toothpaste is more important than the brush since it has the enzymes that help rid the plague
3)What about the mouthwash type stuff? I have heard of it, but beyond that know nothing.
I have heard some dog owners swear by it but I havent heard about cats( I would since you cant be sure how much is going into kitty and I cant see it working via the ingrediants I have read
4)Approximately when does a kitten get its "big cat" teeth?
4-6 months
5)I have heard about C.E.T. dental stuff. What is it & where can I get it?
it is enzyme treated rawhide your vet will have it
 

sharky

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I never brushed or did any oral hygenine other than food wet and dry with my 17 yr old till she got her first dental at about age 10 ... she has all her teeth as do all my animals I ever had .... so I beleive in geting dental care from your vet as needed... a quality diet will do alot for a cat that is not predisposed to dental issues..
 

jen

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I know a cat will have it's adult teeth around 6 months. But all cats vary a bit.
 
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white cat lover

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Originally Posted by sharky

I never brushed or did any oral hygenine other than food wet and dry with my 17 yr old till she got her first dental at about age 10 ... she has all her teeth as do all my animals I ever had .... so I beleive in geting dental care from your vet as needed... a quality diet will do alot for a cat that is not predisposed to dental issues..
Twitch did have a predisposition to dental issues the vet thinks. I know some people who have a 15 year old cat. They have never brushed her teeth. She had her first dental about 6 months ago. I think it is weird that their cat has excellent teeth at that age, yet Twitch has had bad teeth her entire life! There's that predisposition, again!

How often should I brush Lily's teeth?
 

sharky

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Brushing once or twice a week is what I hear most...
 
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We did a spur of the moment(OK last minute Christmas shopping) shopping run today. I asked several different people about kitten toothbrushes in teh pet store. They finally found one specifically for kittens. One lady said she brusehd her kittens teeth every other day until she got used to it, then did it twice a week. I brushed Lily's teeht tonight with her new toothbrush. I am still being avoided!
In time she will get used to it.
 

sharky

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Lily...
Comeout dear Mommy loves you..
 
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white cat lover

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Mr. Toothbrush is now her friend!
I slathered it in gravy from a can of fancy feast & brushed her teeth with it. Then I brushed her teeth with the toothpaste I have(which is crappy I am going to get new stuff). Now she gets excited when she sees the toothbrush. It was remarkably easy.
Maybe she's toying with me!
 
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