Instructions
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Your veterinarian has advised you to brush your cat’s teeth more regularly. Here’s how to make that happen so that it’s easy on you and your cat. First, plan to brush your cat’s teeth in a quiet area away from distractions and at a time when your cat is calm. If this is your first time trying to brush your cat’s teeth, know that it can take several sessions before your cat might accept a toothbrush.
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And that’s completely normal. The important thing is to be patient and consistent and make the experience a positive one for your cat. There are different ways to position your cat when trying to brush their teeth, and there’s no right way to do this, only the way that works best for you and your cat. One way is to hold your cat in your lap, facing away from you.
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Another way is to sit beside them, something that might work if your cat doesn’t like being held. If needed, you can try wrapping them in a towel, leaving only their head exposed, or you may even decide to have someone else hold your cat for you. Now it’s time to start brushing. Well, sort of. The first step is to get your cat accustomed to having their mouth touched.
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To do this massage their face and gently nudge their lips apart with your fingers while you’re relaxing together. Reward them for their cooperation with treats and massage after a few sessions. When your cat is comfortable having their mouth touched, try using a cotton swab, soft gauze, or dental wipe dipped in something tasty like cat toothpaste, tuna juice, or a creamy treat.
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Gently rub the outside of the teeth at the gum line. This is less about cleaning the teeth and more about getting your cat comfortable with the experience. Do a few teeth at a time over several sessions until your cat is relaxed and doesn’t resist your efforts. Canine teeth or fang teeth are often the easiest teeth to start with.
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Once your cat is well accustomed to rubbing their teeth, try using a toothbrush. You might put something tasty on it and let your cat lick at it. At first. As they do, gently try brushing a tooth at the gum line and a few teeth. Then try using toothpaste. If your cat resists the toothbrush, go back to what you were using before.
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Keep on working towards your cat’s acceptance of a toothbrush, cleaning their teeth. Here’s a few extra pieces of advice. There are different types of toothbrushes available, and you may need to try a few before finding one. That makes brushing easy for both you and your cat. When brushing your teeth, brush the gum line on an angle to sweep the plaque from the space just under the gums.
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And finally, take it as slow as you need to. Give yourself and your cat time to get comfortable with each stage and with the actual brushing. Here are the key things to remember when brushing your cat’s teeth. Move through the stages of brushing only as fast as your cat is comfortable. Focus on brushing the outside of all teeth where they meet the gum line, and praise your cat when it’s over.
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Brushing your cat’s teeth may not go as planned the first time, or even the 10th time, but as a pet owner, you do the best you can because your cat is worth it.