Tooth Brushing Basics For Healthy Gums and Teeth For Cats

Dental hygiene is essential to your cat’s overall wellbeing, with tartar buildup leading to gum disease, inflammation and bad breath if left unchecked.

Gain your cat’s trust by first familiarizing them with having their mouth handled using cotton swabs dipped in tuna water, before gradually transitioning them towards brushing with soft-bristled toothbrushes and toothpaste specifically formulated for cats.

Brushing

Brushing is the cornerstone of cat oral hygiene routine. Brushing can prevent tooth and gum disease as well as many other serious issues; developing an effective routine takes time but will certainly pay dividends both for you and your cat!

Many cats both enjoy and tolerate brushing; its pleasure or tolerability depends on many factors including temperament, socialization history and brushing technique. If your cat currently does not enjoy being groomed by you, however, with patience and gentle desensitization techniques this could change in no time!

Beginning by gently rubbing one or two cheek teeth of your cat with your finger (or soft cloth). Gradually increase the number of teeth being rubbed until they become comfortable with you rubbing their mouth in general. Once they are comfortable with you rubbing their mouth generally, let your cat taste some toothpaste; pet toothpaste tends to taste more appealing to cats than human toothpaste; avoid using baking soda which is less appealing as it could potentially cause an upset stomach if swallowed.

Once your cat has accepted the flavor of toothpaste, begin brushing their teeth. Be gentle when opening their mouth wide; aim to only brush outside surfaces of upper and lower teeth using either a commercial cat-specific toothbrush, finger-sized one, cotton swab (Q-tip), or cotton swab (Binaca).

Be sure to rinse both yourself and the toothbrush after each brushing session with your cat, as their mouth contains many bacteria. Take special care not to swallow any toothpaste or swabs; doing so could cause an upset stomach and possibly death if any enters their bloodstream.

Dental Treats

Cat dental chews and treats can help improve your feline companion’s oral health. Chewing these treats scrapes the surface of their teeth when being chewed on, clearing away food debris and soft plaque before it hardens into tartar. Some dental chews even contain enzymes to inhibit bacteria that causes plaque. While these products cannot replace brushing or professional veterinary cleanings, they can assist your pet maintain a healthier mouth between visits to see their vet for specialized tooth treatments or thorough oral exams.

Dental treats should be offered daily to your cat as rewards for grooming or vet visits, or used to create special bonding moments between you two throughout the day. Many pet owners find that cats respond better when associated with treats they love – you could try offering your feline one right after meals when their natural saliva production increases for maximum effectiveness in cleaning their teeth! Other pet owners use dental treats as special bonding moments with their furry family member throughout their day.

When choosing a dental treat for your cat, be sure it has been approved by both veterinary dentists and the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) to ensure it will lead to significant reduction in plaque and tartar buildup, fresher breath and enhanced oral health. Carefully review its ingredients list; beware of those containing high levels of artificial additives, fillers or binders that could interfere with digestion processes – specifically look out for proteins named directly rather than generic “meat by-product.”

As well as their practical uses, dental chews offer an opportunity to enrich your cat’s life and strengthen the bond between you two. Regular dental treats may also offer mental stimulation for indoor cats that lack other opportunities for physical or social interaction.

Bear in mind that dental treats intended to reduce plaque and tartar buildup may add calories to your pet’s diet, so make sure their meals are adjusted appropriately so as not to cause excessive weight gain if these treats are given daily. For optimal results, introduce the treat slowly over a period of several days, monitoring their acceptance as well as any digestive upset symptoms.

Oral Hygiene Gels

Most pet parents prioritize providing their fur babies with high-quality food and regular vet visits, yet dental care shouldn’t be forgotten about. Tooth plaque and tartar buildup can lead to gum inflammation which in turn results in gingivitis, tooth loss and even systemic disease within the body. There are various products available to ensure your cat maintains healthy teeth and gums such as VOHC-approved toothpaste, water additives, dental treats and oral gels – making dental health easy!

There are a range of VOHC-approved toothpastes on the market, from traditional whitening pastes to enzymatic formulas that break down and prevent plaque. Many are even flavored to appeal more directly to your cat and make brushing less stressful for both of you! If your feline finds brushing difficult, start slowly by applying only an enzymatic toothpaste on one or two teeth at a time until moving up to full teeth brushing sessions.

VOHC-approved dental rinses and gels can be applied directly to your cat’s teeth or gums to help reduce bacteria levels, promote oral hygiene and combat bad breath. Some products work by breaking down plaque using enzymes while others help combat bad breath; therefore it’s essential that you read labels thoroughly when selecting products for oral hygiene in pets.

Some gels are easy to apply by dabbing it onto your fingers and applying directly onto your cat’s teeth and gums; others include a brush for more accurate applications. When choosing a gel product for your cat, be sure to choose pet-safe solutions without alcohol or harsh chemicals as this will ensure its success.

Another solution is the GC Tri Plaque ID Gel, which applies directly to your cat’s teeth and identifies new, mature or acid-producing plaque in three colors so you can focus your brushing or flossing efforts there. Furthermore, this product promotes teamwork between pet and owner to make brushing and flossing routines more effective.

Core Pet Oral Care Gel with Salmon is a high-quality daily oral health solution for your pet that works to minimize plaque and tartar build-up, freshen breath, promote healthier teeth and gums while offering natural skin and coat care benefits from salmon oil.

Schedule an Appointment

Cat teeth are an integral component of their health. Inflamed or infected bacteria in their mouth can enter their bloodstream and travel throughout their bodies causing disease in kidneys, heart, and lungs – brushing is one of the best ways to stop this happening!

If your cat doesn’t tolerate toothbrushing well, dental wipes may be an alternative. For optimal results, however, starting early and working together to reinforce positive behaviors with positive reinforcement can help slow progression of dental disease and extend intervals between professional cleaning appointments.

Start by gradually introducing your pet to their toothbrush and toothpaste in an atmosphere free of stress. Sit with them in a quiet room, placing a small amount of toothpaste on your finger, touching their sides of their mouth with treats as they explore, gradually increasing how long you touch their teeth until they feel at ease with this experience. Eventually, begin brushing one side at a time using only outside surfaces until they become used to this routine – this should take only seconds at first but may need repeating several times throughout the day until they adapt.

Once your pet has become used to his or her toothbrush, switch over to using a regular cat toothbrush with suitable toothpaste. Begin with outer surfaces of front teeth before working your way towards back ones; eventually your goal should be brushing all their teeth once daily for 30 seconds each – it takes only 24 hours for soft plaque to harden into tartar that cannot be removed by brushing alone! This step is so critical; otherwise soft plaque hardens into tartar that cannot be easily brushed away!

Most cats who don’t receive regular dental care will eventually develop painful dental issues requiring expensive veterinarian visits for treatment, which will be more costly than taking the time to train your pet to accept dental hygiene routines and reduce costly cleanings over time. Doing this will both bring happiness and health benefits for them while saving you money in the form of decreased cleanings needs in the long run.