How to brush your cat's teeth

Does your cat’s breath smell like an abandoned fish market? Jokes aside, keeping your pet’s teeth and gums clean and healthy can help to prevent periodontal disease and other health problems (beyond bad breath). Learning how to brush your cat’s teeth is just one step to preventing these health problems before they start.

Why you should brush your cat’s teeth

Imagine not brushing your teeth for a year. Plaque builds up and hardens (calcifies) after a few days into tartar, which is harder to remove. And that’s not even counting what can happen under the gum line. Here are a few medical terms that will convince you the importance of brushing.

Plaque. The sticky, filmy stuff on your teeth (which cats can get, too).
Tartar. The brown crusty stuff that forms on cat’s teeth over time.
Periodontal disease. A serious gum infection that damages gums and can destroy the jawbone.

The good news is that brushing your cat’s teeth shouldn’t take more than 30 seconds per day. The more you do it, the easier (and cheaper) dental care will be in the long run.

How often to brush your cat’s teeth

Ideally, you’d brush your cat’s teeth every day. If your cat’s gums and teeth are in bad shape or extra sensitive/painful (and if they haven’t had a thorough cleaning in a while), we would recommend booking a dental check just to make sure everything is okay.

What you’ll need to brush your cat’s teeth

Don’t try to use an oversized human toothbrush in your cat’s mouth — find a smaller solution that’s a better fit. Try one of these options:

A baby toothbrush (with extra soft bristles)
A specialty cat toothbrush that fits on your finger

Then grab some pet toothpaste (do not use human toothpaste). Pet toothpaste is designed to be safe to swallow, and cats prefer the taste.

How to brush your cat’s teeth

Sit with your cat and rub their face, cheeks, and around their mouth.
Dip your finger in tuna water or low-sodium chicken broth (make sure it doesn’t have onions or garlic) and let them lick it off.
Gently rub your finger along their gums.
Place pet toothpaste on your finger and let them lick it off, then rub it on their gums as well.
Place the toothpaste on a toothbrush and very gently brush a few teeth. Lift their lips to expose the front of their teeth.
If your cat is okay with this, continue to brush all their teeth.
If not, brush a few teeth at a time, taking cuddle breaks in between.

Dental treats for your cat

Some dental treats can help keep your cat’s teeth clean between brushings. These work by scraping off and/or preventing the formation of plaque and tartar. We are currently offering 10% off dental dietary food which is specially formulated to reduce plaque.

Ask your vet to give you the details on your cat’s teeth during their annual wellness visit. Proactive dental care can decrease risk of other medical conditions (like heart disease, sinus infections, and renal disease), and can contribute to a longer life together with your cat.