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Mastering the Skill of Brushing Your Cat's Teeth

Dec 13,2024 | puaintapets

Good dental hygiene is essential for your cat’s overall health and well-being. Just like humans, cats are prone to dental issues such as tartar buildup, gum disease, and bad breath. Brushing your cat’s teeth is one of the best ways to prevent these problems and ensure a long, healthy life. This guide will teach you how to brush your cat’s teeth effectively and make the process stress-free.

Brushing cat's teeth

Why is Brushing a Cat’s Teeth Important?

I. Oral health aspects

  • Prevention of tartar and calculus

When cats are eating, food residues will remain on the surface of the teeth. If not cleaned in time, these residues will gradually mineralise to form tartar, and further accumulation of tartar will turn into calculus. Tartar further accumulates and turns into calculus, which adheres firmly to the surface of the teeth, irritates the gums, and triggers inflammation of the gums. By brushing your teeth, you can effectively remove food debris from the surface of your teeth and reduce the formation of tartar and calculus.

  • Prevents Gum Disease

Bacteria in the mouth will constantly grow, and when bacteria multiply around the gums, it is easy to trigger inflammation, redness, swelling, bleeding and other problems. Brushing your teeth can reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth, keeping your gums healthy and reducing the risk of gum disease. For example, if left untreated, gingivitis in cats can develop into a more serious form of periodontitis, leading to loose or even lost teeth.

Also Read: What if my pet has a gum disease?

Food residues and bacterial metabolites left in the mouth are the main causes of bad breath in cats. Regular brushing can remove these sources of odour and keep your cat's breath fresh. Bad breath not only affects the intimate interaction between the cat and its owner, but can also be a sign of oral or other health problems.

II. Overall health aspects

  • Prevention of systemic diseases

Bacteria in the mouth that spreads to other parts of the body through the bloodstream may cause systemic health problems. For example, bacterial infections may affect your cat's heart, liver, kidneys and other vital organs, leading to diseases such as endocarditis and nephritis. Keeping the mouth clean reduces the risk of this bacterial spread, thus maintaining your cat's overall health.

  • Prolonged Lifespan

Good oral hygiene helps cats maintain healthy teeth and gums, allowing them to eat properly. Cats are able to take in adequate nutrients, which are vital for maintaining the proper functioning of the body's organs. This helps to prevent a variety of diseases caused by oral problems, thus prolonging your cat's lifespan.

When to Start Brushing a Cat’s Teeth

The ideal time to introduce brushing is when your cat is still a kitten, as they adapt more easily to new routines. However, it’s never too late to start. Begin gradually, allowing your cat to become familiar with the process.

brush cat's teeth

How to Brush Your Cat's Teeth?

I. Preparation

  • Choosing the right tool

Toothbrush for cats: this toothbrush is usually smaller and has a soft brush head for cats' small mouths. You can also use a baby toothbrush instead, but make sure the brush head is soft enough.

Choose the right toothpowder: make sure you choose a toothpowder designed specifically for cats, as human toothpowder may contain ingredients that are harmful to cats. If your cat has never used dental powder before, start by getting him used to the flavour. You can sprinkle a small amount of dental powder on its food to get it used to it gradually.

Dental Powder for Dogs/ Cats, 30g

Dental Powder for Dogs/ Cats, 30g

Oral cleaning for cats and dogs; for bad breath/halitosis and tartar; fresh breath

View Product

  • Getting your cat used to touching its mouth

Before you start brushing, get your cat used to being touched around the mouth. This can be done by gently massaging your cat's mouth, lips and gums with your fingers for a few seconds at a time every day, along with a reward, such as a small snack or gentle praise. This process may take a few days to a week or so until the cat is no longer resistant to touching the mouth.

II. Formal brushing

  • Method of use

Sprinkle an appropriate amount of dental powder on your cat's teeth, and you can use a special cat toothbrush or finger cuff to gently rub the surface of the teeth. Make sure to cover all the teeth, especially the back molars that are prone to tartar accumulation. When using dental powder, be careful not to allow your cat to swallow too much of it, as some of the ingredients may have an effect on your cat's health. Also, make sure your cat has enough water to drink after using the dental powder to help remove any residue from the mouth.

  • Begin brushing

Gently open your cat's mouth a little and aim the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the junction of your cat's teeth and gums.
Clean the teeth with gentle, small back and forth strokes, starting with the outer teeth and brushing each tooth for 3 - 5 seconds. Be careful not to use too much force as this may hurt your cat's gums.

Try to brush every tooth, but if your cat is not very co-operative, make sure you at least brush the outer canines and molars.
For the inner teeth, try to clean them in the same way if your cat allows it, but the inner teeth are usually harder to work with, so if your cat resists strongly, you can skip brushing the inner teeth for now.

  • Cleaning other parts of the mouth

After brushing the teeth, if possible, gently wipe the cat's tongue and other parts of the mouth with a moist gauze or specialised oral cleansing wipes to remove residual food debris and bacteria.

  • Regular use

To maintain oral health, it is recommended to use dental powder at least 2-3 times a week.

III. Rewards and follow-up after brushing the teeth

  • Giving rewards

Immediately after brushing, give the cat a reward, such as its favourite snack or more petting and praise. This will allow your cat to associate brushing with a positive experience and increase its cooperation for the next brushing.

  • Regular Brushing

It is recommended that your cat's teeth be brushed 2 - 3 times a week to keep his or her mouth healthy. If your cat's mouth is in poor condition, such as already having tartar build-up or gum inflammation, you may need to brush more frequently.

What is Good for Cats to Eat to Clean Their Teeth?

  • Hard dry food

Hard dry food can help your cat grind their teeth, keep their mouth clean and reduce plaque and tartar formation. Especially those dry foods with high fibre content can better help cats clean their teeth. However, for older cats or cats with dental problems, you should choose wet food that is easy to chew. 

  • Teeth-cleaning snacks

There are many snacks on the market specifically designed to clean your cat's teeth, such as teeth cleaning sticks and biscuits. These snacks usually have a certain degree of hardness, and the cat can play a certain role in cleaning the teeth during the chewing process.

 Bone Toothbrush

  • Freeze-dried meat with bones

Frozen dried meat with bones, such as chicken necks and duck necks, can increase friction when cats gnaw on them, helping to take away some of the stubborn residual stains in the teeth and mouth, and cleaning the oral cavity. However, when feeding meat with bones, parents are advised to watch from the sidelines to prevent accidents when the cat is gnawing. 

  • Vitamin and mineral-rich food

Vitamins and minerals are very important for dental health. Among them, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D are essential for your cat's dental health. So, when customising recipes for your cat, add foods rich in these ingredients, such as fish, meat and egg yolks. In addition, foods rich in antioxidants can also help maintain your cat's oral health, such as vegetables, fruits, and nuts. 

  • Foods for Fresh Breath

If your cat's breath is not fresh, then it is highly likely that there is a disease in your cat's mouth. In order to make your cat's mouth healthier, you can choose some breath-freshening and antibacterial foods, such as Scottish peppermint, European mountain pine, taurine and so on. These foods not only help keep your cat's breath fresh, but also prevent the reproduction of oral bacteria and reduce the risk of oral disease. 

  • Dental health food

In addition to normal food, there are many health foods on the market for cats' oral health, such as dental cleaners and oral sprays. Adding these foods in moderation can help cats keep their mouths clean and reduce the occurrence of dental diseases. However, it should also be noted that these health foods cannot replace normal food and should be used in moderation. 

When choosing food, it should be selected according to the specific conditions and needs of the cat. Meanwhile, regular oral examination and cleaning are also important measures to maintain the oral health of cats.

FAQs

Is it necessary to clean a cat's teeth?

Conclusion

Brushing your cat’s teeth is a vital part of their overall care. By following the steps outlined in this guide and being patient, you can make brushing a positive experience for your cat. Remember, consistent dental care ensures your feline friend stays happy, healthy, and free from painful dental issues.

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