How to brush my cat's teeth?

Question

I can barely get his mouth to open. Im afraid bacteria might grow in his mouth and effect his life span.


Any recomended toothbrush or toothpaste?

What are the steps too?

Answer 1

You have to desensitise cats to this procedure slowly. It's best to start when they're young - if the cat is already an adult it won't be easy, and may not be possible.

You don't actually have to open up the cat's mouth - though it is preferable- you can pull up their lips from the side and brush from there. We use Logic toothpaste, comes in poultry or fish flavour. You can use any small toothbrush really, but one specially for cat will be easier, particularly those ones you can put on your finger.

Brushing and dental foods are preventative measures - if your cat already has a degree of dental tartar you need a professional scale and polish. The younger this is done the better- you can then commence preventative treatments to help stop the cat ever needing dental work again.

Most cats over the age of 3 have some kind of dental problems. By age 8, the majority of cats are in need of dental work at the vets. By the time they're in their teens, pretty much all cats need dental work including extractions! Have you cat's teeth checked by a vet if they haven't been in the last year, and don't be horrified if the cat needs dental work, it's par for the course for cats really. My cat didn't get her first dental until she was 16 and her teeth were awful - don't leave it this late!!!

Chalice

Answer 2

No, I choose having all ten of my palms. =) Haha, basically kidding. I do mine each month, as they don't like it a lot. I have those 'oral well being care' drops that I put of their water to save their gums, teeth, and breath effective and healthful. they are probable about 8 greenbacks for a 7 oz.bottle, although this is somewhat nicely worth it, because it facilitates save their teeth sparkling in between brushes. And my 2 are not previous sufficient yet, yet each 12 months, they ought to have a pro teeth cleansing alongside with their annual examine up on the vet. My one cat remains waiting for his grown-up kitty teeth to go back in, so there is not any longer a lot to comb besides, haha. wish that facilitates your study. =) EDIT: this is not any longer genuinely had to comb a cat's teeth. i comprehend of many cats who not in any respect ever get a teeth brushing or teeth cleansing, even from the vet, and characteristic actually 0 dental subject matters. Brushing them better than once a month (If the cat does no longer have any clinically determined dental subject matters) is slightly extreme, and may basically traumatize the cat as antagonistic to benefitting it. for each cat, i like to recommend the once a year cleansing at their examine-up, and that is it. which will do it. =) I do my cats' month-to-month, basically because i'm nuts, and want to be over-protecting, because i have not in any respect owned cats before. (although i have worked with them for 9+ years). yet nonetheless, I also do such issues as communicate over with them and sparkling the clutter container out the 2d after I see this is been used.

Answer 3

You can make tooth brushing a game by playing with him first so you can get rid of some excess energy. Then place a little bit of cat toothpaste on your finger and let him lick if off. Try this several times until he gets used to it.

Then place your finger with the toothpaste on it against his mouth. You can graduate to using a thin washcloth or gauze wrapped around your finger to use as a brush, this is usually less foreign to a cat than a toothbrush.

Eventually, you can desensitize him to opening his mouth with one hand and using a toothbrush in the other. If he is highly sensitive, this may take several weeks. Otherwise, it may just be a few days especially if he really likes the toothpaste.

This is really a helpful exercise if you ever need to feed him pills as he will be used to you fiddling with his mouth.

Answer 4

Hi there...Petrodex makes a flavoured toothpaste for cats and usually comes in a kit with a toothbrush. Here's an instructional video on how to brush a cats teeth by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/brushing_teeth/full_movie.shtml

Answer 5

They make cat toothbrushes and toothpaste. The cat toothpaste is flavored so your cat might open his mouth to lick the toothpaste and it will make it easier. Ask your pet store or vet what they recommend.

What ever you do don't use human toothpaste, I gave my cat some when I was little and it started foaming out her mouth.

Answer 6

Start by getting the cat used to you messing with his mouth. See if he'll let you put your finger in his mouth. If he will you can get a tooth brush that fits on your finger. C.E.T. makes pet tooth paste that comes in all kinds of flavors. You don't have to scrub like we do you just have to get the paste on the teeth. Pets DO need their teeth cleaned. All that tartar build up can lead to other diseases and tooth loss. Yes there are dental formula foods, but I find very few animals like them and brushing is much less expensive.

Answer 7

Go to the following link it has important steps and information about brushing a cats teeth. Hope this helps. :D


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=56

Answer 8

With a tooth brush lol

Answer 9

you shouldn't have to brush the cats teeth.
They make food that cleans their teeth.

But if you want to know how to brush a cats teeth, you do it very carefully.....

Answer 10

u dont really need to brush the cats teeth cats are one of the cleanest pets ever trust me i never brushed my cats teeth