How to Clean Your Cat’s Teeth

Most cats are meticulous groomers. However, one thing that’s not included in their self-grooming routine is oral hygiene. That’s right, our kitties aren’t trying to impress anyone with their dazzling smiles, and, even if that mattered to them, nature didn’t give them the ability to brush their own teeth. That means that cleaning your cat’s teeth is up to you.

The first thing you might ask yourself is, “Why should I clean my cat’s teeth?” Believe it or not, there are some very good reasons.

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Why Clean Your Cat’s Teeth?

Cats in the wild don’t need to worry about dental hygiene because their diet does the job for them. The bones and skin that they chew on scrape the plaque off of their teeth before it has a chance to cause any problems. However, this is not the case for our kitties. Even though they are getting the nutrients they need from their kibble or canned cat food, these foods just don’t clean their teeth like a diet of raw mouse might. This allows plaque and tartar to build up.

Will a little tartar really hurt a cat? It can. Our kitties are at risk for many of the dental issues that we ourselves try to avoid (like gingivitis). And, as it can in humans, bacteria from periodontal disease can affect other organs in our cats and cause illness. Not to mention the discomfort they could experience from diseased gums or tooth decay.

The benefits of cleaning your cat’s teeth are clear. The next thing you might wonder is, “Will I really be able to clean my cat’s teeth without requiring stitches?” You will if you approach it the right way.

How to Clean Your Cat’s Teeth

Before beginning a tooth cleaning routine, it’s important to get the OK from your vet, since even kittens can have dental issues that need to be resolved before tooth brushing is advisable. Once the vet has given the OK, the only one left to worry about is your cat, who can be a little more difficult to convince!

Step 1: Break Her in Slowly

No self-respecting cat is going to sit there with his mouth opened wide while you come at her with a toothbrush. The key to successfully cleaning your cat’s teeth is to break her in gradually.

Wait until your kitty is in a calm, relaxed mood, and start by gently lifting her lips and massaging her teeth and gums for a few seconds with just your finger. Don’t try to give his whole mouth a rub down. You may only make contact with one or two teeth the first few times you try this. The important thing is to stop before she has a chance to become too annoyed.

Follow this brief session with praise and a treat. As her tolerance for this experience increases, gradually increase the length of time that you spend.

Step 2: Introduce Toothpaste

After your cat has become used to having you touch her mouth, you can begin to introduce a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Never use your own toothpaste to clean your cat’s teeth – it contains ingredients that would be harmful to your kitty if she swallowed it (which she is almost guaranteed to do). In addition, as much as minty fresh breath appeals to us cat parents, our feline friends prefer their own variety of kitty toothpaste, which is available in flavors such as poultry or beef.

To start with, you might want to just let your cat lick a small dab of the toothpaste off of your finger. If you have a finicky feline on your hands, you may have to try a few flavors before you find one that appeals.

Step 3: Introduce a Toothbrush

Once you have found a toothpaste that works, all that’s left is finding the right toothbrush. Here again, it would be a mistake to use the same kind of brush that you use for yourself. The bristles would be too stiff and could damage your kitty’s delicate gums.

Many cat parents find that using a finger brush meant for kitties is the easiest method. Others like to just use a small square of soft gauze. If you want to try out a couple of styles of toothbrushes, this dental kit for cats comes with a brush specially designed for kitties, plus a finger brush and toothpaste.

It may take weeks before your cat will tolerate having all of his teeth cleaned in one sitting, and sometimes, in spite of your best efforts, a cat just can’t get used to having his mouth handled. He may react by biting or scratching, or he may show other signs that the experience is just too stressful for him.

The good news is that, even if this is the case with your kitty, you do not have to make the choice between sacrificing his teeth or your fingers. There are a few tooth cleaning options that don’t involve putting your fingers anywhere near his mouth.

Healthy Alternatives to Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth

If, despite your best efforts, your cat simply won’t allow you near her mouth with a toothbrush, you may want to consider one or more of these healthy alternatives.