How To Brush Your Cat's Teeth

Like giving your cat a bath, brushing its teeth can be done-just not as easily as brushing your dog's teeth. Even still, it should be done on a somewhat regular basis, and if the procedure is introduced properly, your cat may not hate it as much as you think he or she might.

You want to pick up a kitty tooth kit, though you can use the small side of the brush in the dog tooth kit if you can't find the cat tooth kit. The non-sudsing tooth paste in the kitty tooth kits is usually fish or shrimp flavored, and the cats really seem to like it. As with any new procedure you are going to try on your pet, you want to make this process fun, so I recommend starting just before a meal or play time, so a positive activity will be following the procedure. I often like to start by approaching your cat with a treat in my hand, letting him know it's there, but not offering it to him yet. I will then apply a very small amount of the flavored paste onto the tip of my index finger, lift up the cat's lip, or sometimes just slide my finger under the lip directly into its mouth, and gently rub the paste onto one or two of his teeth and gums for about 2 or 3 seconds, shower him with praise, offer him that treat, then proceed to feed him or initiate some play time. I will then do the exact same thing the next day, but instead of 2 to 3 seconds, I'll rub the paste inside the mouth for about 10 seconds. Then, the next day, I may go for 20 seconds, then 30, and so on. Remember, always follow with tons of praise, a treat, and then a meal or play time. Once the procedure and association is a positive one, and your cat seems to be tolerating everything well, I will substitute the finger brush, and follow the same procedure. Once that is accepted, it's time to graduate to the brush. With some cats, I find the finger brush almost too large for their little mouths, so I may go straight to the small kitty tooth brush after getting them accustomed to the oral manipulation and the taste of the paste. I find that when you gradually do a little more each time, always make it fun, and always offer lots of positive reinforcement, most cats do amazingly well. Once they get the hang of it and seem to like having their teeth brushed, or at least tolerate it, I recommend continuing the process a few times a week. As with dogs, you'd be amazed how much good you can do and how much healthier you can keep your cat's mouth by practicing good dental care at home!