Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth: A Step-By-Step Guide

If there’s one health condition a cat is likely to be affected by, it's dental disease.

By two years of age, 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease.¹ Yet it’s estimated that 73% of cat owners never brush their cat’s teeth.²

While brushing a cat’s teeth can be awkward, it’s important for their health. In this guide, we’ll look at brushing methods and some of the additional dental products that can support your cat’s oral health.

 Why do I need to brush my cat's teeth?

Brushing removes plaque, an invisible film of food and bacteria that forms on your cat’s teeth. If you don’t remove plaque it can calcify into tartar, a hard, yellow substance that encourages the development of more plaque and can lead to advanced dental disease.

As the bacteria spread, they can infect the surrounding gums, tissue and bones, and dental disease can progress. As dental disease becomes more severe, cats may experience bad breath, difficulty chewing, painful bleeding of the gums, and tooth loss. The infection may even spread to other parts of the body.

The most effective way to prevent dental disease, is to remove the plaque while it’s still soft before it hardens into tartar. The best way to do that is by brushing!

How often should I brush? 

Although it may seem like a challenge, you should brush your cat’s teeth every day.

Is there a good time to start brushing my cat's teeth?

If you can familiarize your cat to the sensation of brushing while they’re still a kitten, they may be more open to having their teeth cleaned as an adult. Kitten teething can be painful and stressful so you may find it’s best to wait until your kitten’s adult teeth have formed, before introducing them to a toothbrush.

If your cat is already an adult, it may take several months before they feel comfortable with brushing. Just remember to be patient, consistent, and give them plenty of praise. You could even reward their cooperation with a healthy treat!

How do I brush my cat’s teeth?

To start, ask your veterinarian to recommend a toothbrush and toothpaste. Pet toothpastes are designed to be safe to swallow and are flavored to encourage brushing. Never feed your cat human toothpaste as it may contain ingredients that are toxic for cats.

 

Are there alternatives to brushing?

While brushing is the best way of cleaning cat teeth, there are some additional solutions that can aid their dental care.

Cat chew toys and dental chews can help reduce plaque and decrease the chances of gingivitis, however, their effectiveness at cleaning canine teeth and incisors is limited. Some cat dental chews may also cause dietary upset, while those composed of nylon or bone risk causing tooth fractures. If in doubt, ask your veterinarian for advice about the best options for your cat.

Veterinarians will sometimes recommend a special dental food as a proactive measure against dental disease and for cats that are particularly susceptible to gingivitis or periodontal disease. These diets support dental health.

The kibbles in Royal Canin’s Dental cat food, for example, are designed to scrub the teeth.

Remember that dental disease is painful. If your cat is suffering from gingivitis or periodontal disease they will need attention from your veterinarian before you can begin home treatments.

You can learn how to identify dental disease in our next article: Spotting the Signs of Dental Disease in Cats.

References:

¹ Niemiec B, Gawor J, Nemec A, Clarke D, McLeod K, Tutt C, Gioso M, Steagall PV, Chandler M, Morgenegg G, Jouppi R, McLeod K. World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Dental Guidelines. J Small Anim Pract. 2020 Jul;61(7):395-403
² Reid, I., 2015. 'Most (95%) Pet Owners Brush Their Own Teeth Daily, But Few Brush 
Their Dog’s (8%) or Cat’s (4%) Teeth on a Daily Basis' https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/publication/2016-02/7128.pdf