At the kitties' last checkup, the vet recommended that I start brushing their teeth (with special cat toothpaste and toothbrush) every day. I've been doing so for about a week now, and Meeko, Esmeralda and Henry are all taking it fairly well - they don't love it, and we had to struggle a bit at first, but less struggling now, and I've always been able to get their mouths open and to brush their teeth and gums. Phineas is another story. He is the sweetest, gentlest cat in the world, and his favourite place to be is cradled in my arms like a baby, purring, so I am totally shocked at the way he reacts when I try to brush his teeth - he hisses, he spits, he yowls, he flails wildy and tries to claw me up and bite me, etc. - he just goes totally berserk. The vet recommended working up to using the toothbrush by gently opening his mouth and touching his teeth and gums to get him used to the idea, and he will let me do this with no problem, but as soon as he sees the toothbrush, he freaks out again (I don't even have to put it near his mouth - just seeing it lying on the couch is enough to make him freak out). Can anyone make suggestions as to how I can get him to calm down and let me brush his teeth? Thanks!