Brushing your Cat’s Teeth
Did you know that people clean their cat’s teeth or are you wondering how to do so? In today’s blog, we are going over how to brush your cat’s teeth and its health benefits, so let’s get right into it.
Why should I brush my cat’s teeth?
It might sound strange at first, but brushing your cat’s teeth provides many benefits for your kitten. It is the single most effective way to reduce dental plaque and to maintain long-term oral health. Not only that, but brushing your kitten’s teeth will help promote healthy gums and reduce bad breath. Daily or even twice a day of brushing is recommended and this can be introduced to any cat at any age. Brushing your cat’s teeth regularly can even extend your kitten’s lifespan, improve their quality of life, and prevent many future diseases.
What if I choose not to brush my kitten’s teeth?
Not brushing your cat’s teeth can promote plaque and tartar formation, lead to gum disease, and promote bad breath. If an owner does not brush their cat’s teeth, it can led to the removal of multiple teeth which can be expensive and can also reduce your kitten’s life span and quality of life.
When is the best time for me to brush my kitten’s teeth?
The earlier you introduce your kitten to the concept of brushing their teeth, the better. This is because the kitten will take less time to adjust to it and will be less rebellious in the future compared to a cat who never brushed their teeth before and is of the same age. Brushing your kitten’s teeth earlier can help improve their overall health, increase their lifespan, improve their quality of life, and make them more used to the concept of brushing their teeth.
What do I use to brush my cat’s teeth?
When planning to brush your cat’s teeth, it is important to use the correct tools. Never use products that are supposed to be used on humans on a cat. The equipment needed to brush your cat’s teeth are a toothbrush and either veterinary or cat toothpaste. Cat toothpaste can come in many different flavors such as chicken, beef, mint, or fish. You can try out different flavors to find which one your kitten prefers.
How to Brush your Kitten’s Teeth (Part 1)
For the first few days, make your cat more comfortable by offering a small amount of toothpaste on your finger. Some cats will love the taste of the toothpaste while others will not. If they don’t want to taste the toothpaste, try putting some on your kitten’s nose and usually they will lick it off. Normally once these cats try it, they will usually begin taking the toothpaste from your hand.
How to Brush your Kitten’s Teeth (Part 2)
Once your kitten has gotten used to the taste of toothpaste, practice getting used to the position that you need to get into in order to have an easier brushing your kitten’s teeth. Approach your cat with his or her back towards you because this will give you better control as cats, when startled, will often move backwards. Next, spread your hand gently on your kitten’s head by using your thumb and second finger to gently grip around the cheekbone. Make sure to lift your index finger so it does not block your kitten’s vision. Once this is done, gently tilt their head up and use your thumb to lift up the upper lip. As for the other hand, use your thumb and finger to pull down your cat’s lower lip. Doing so will give you a good view of one side of your cat’s teeth. Do this for 3 days. After the 3rd day has passed you can begin to add toothpaste into the mix by rubbing it onto the teeth in a circular motion.
How to Brush your Kitten’s Teeth (Part 3)
After you have completed part two, you are now able to start using the toothbrush. Use the toothbrush the same way that you applied the toothpaste onto your cat’s teeth with your finger. Start brushing for about ten seconds for each side in the beginning. After you have done this for a while, you can begin to brush each side for about 30-45 seconds. There may be some bleeding and this is common when a pet is brushing their teeth for the first time. However if you continue to brush your kitten’s teeth, the bleeding should stop due to the gums becoming healthier.
What if my cat is fighting against me when I try to brush their teeth?
If your cat is being rebellious against you when it comes to brushing their teeth, the best thing to do is to take each step in your cat’s dental hygiene journey more slowly. No cat is the same and will react and take a different amount of time to adjust. However, if your cat has been rebellious for many months and years, then the next best thing to do is to gently wrap your kitten in a towel so that they will not be able to move around as much, making it easier for you to brush their teeth. You can also ask another person to help you gently hold the cat during the procedure. It is important to brush your cat’s teeth gently as well which can help them overall feel more comfortable. By making your cat more comfortable, it will make it easier to brush their teeth. Brushing your kitten’s teeth should not be a battle.
I hope you have learned something new from this blog on how to brush your kitten’s teeth and why it is important. To stay and keep those around you safe, wear a mask and social distance. I will see you next time.
Citations:
[1] Care, International Cat. “International Cat Care.” How to Brush Your Cat's Teeth | International Cat Care, 2 Oct. 2019, icatcare.org/advice/how-to-brush-your-cats-teeth/#:~:text=Brushing%20a%20cat's%20teeth%20is,reduce%20halitosis%20(bad%20breath).
[2] “Living Longer by Taking Care of Those Precious Teeth.” Westside Animal Hospital, 15 Jan. 2018, www.westsideanimalhospital.com/blog/living-longer-taking-care-precious-teeth/#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20said%20by,17%20or%2018%20years%20old.