We all love our pets, and we sure hope that the feeling is mutual when they come over and request a fuss. Sometimes, a head-bob from our feline friend is all it takes to catch a little waft of a smell that could indicate the current condition of their mouth.
If you’ve ever noticed a smell coming from your cat’s mouth, it’s important to book an appointment for us to take a look. We recently wrote a blog on Dental Disease, where we discussed the different complications that can arise from poor dental hygiene.
However, to keep your cat feeling totally Pawsome, we’ve put together an ultimate guide to cat teeth cleaning, so we can avoid dental disease as much as possible!
Top 10 Essential Cat Dental Cleaning Tips:
In order for your cat to have their best Hollywood smile, we’ve curated a list of 10 essential tips to cleaning your cat’s teeth.
Before we start, it’s important to remember that every cat is different. Some cats may tolerate teeth cleaning really well, whereas others may make their opinions pretty clear!
What works for some cats may not work for others – it’s all about trial and error.
1. Start Dental Care Early
The best way to prevent dental disease is to start oral hygiene routines early. From when your cat is young, get them used to having their mouth opened and examined (this will also make our jobs a lot easier!)
Introducing the use of a brush can help to desensitise them to the feeling over time. We recommend using either a finger brush or a cat specific brush.
2. Use Cat-Specific Toothpaste
This brings us nicely onto our next point – always use a cat specific toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste, as this can sometimes contact ingredients that are toxic to cats.
An enzymatic toothpaste that is safe to swallow and is formulated to reduce plaque build-up is a perfect choice.
3. Focus On The Outer Tooth Surface
Most plaque and tartar builds up on the outside of the teeth. This is because the tongue touches and cleans the outer surfaces less often.
Gentle swirling motions with a toothbrush on the outer surface allows for removal of bacteria and saliva, helping to reduce the chance of deposits on the teeth.
4. Keep Cleaning Sessions Short and Positive
Even cleaning sessions of 30 – 60 seconds are great. This allows for a small amount of cleaning, whilst not causing too much stress for you feline friends.
Rewarding calm behaviour with treats or a fuss can go a long way in reinforcing the behaviour that we want from teeth cleaning sessions.
5. Brush Teeth Gently
Begin slow. It’s sometimes better to allow your cat to lick a small amount of the toothpaste from your finger, or placing it on the tip of their nose. This gets them used to the taste.
The next step would be to use your finger and place a small amount of toothpaste onto your cat’s teeth. Over time, you can work your way up to a finger brush or a cat toothbrush.
6. Use Dental Additives In Food
There are some brilliant additives that you can add to your cat’s food and water which also supports oral hygiene along with cleaning.
Products such as PlaqueOff is a powder that can be placed on food and contains different natural ingredients which changes the saliva composition. This can help to reduce plaque build up, as well as soften existing plaque.
7. Book Regular Dental Check-Ups
One of the best ways which we can monitor and track your cat’s oral hygiene is to book regular dental check-ups. If you’re worried about your pets teeth, then book an appointment with one of our experienced vets who can take a look for you.
If you’re wanting a general oral health check, then one of our nursing team may also be able to help. By regularly checking your pet’s mouth, we can intervene before they experience signs of infection or pain.
8. Monitor For Dental Disease
Dental disease in our pets is extremely common. Bad breath, pawing at the mouth, drooling, reduced appetite and red gums are all signs of dental disease.
When brushing your pet’s teeth, you can keep a close eye on the appearance of their teeth and gums. If you notice anything that doesn’t look quite right, it’s always best to book an appointment.
9. Use Dental Chews
Although more common in dogs, there are dental chews that are specifically formulated for cats. The texture of the chew helps to remove any plaque or tartar from the teeth whilst also containing active ingredients, such as enzymes, to reduce bacterial growth.
10. Consider Professional Cleaning If Advised
Sometimes, no matter how much attention you give to your pet’s mouth, a professional scale and polish may be required. Some tartar cannot be removed at home and requires specialised tools.
If you think that your pet may benefit from a professional clean, book an appointment with one of our vets who will be able to do a thorough assessment of the mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cat Teeth Cleaning
We understand that you may have lots of questions when it comes to trying to clean your cat’s teeth, so we’ve tried to answer as many common questions below:
What’s The Best Way To Clean A Cat’s Teeth?
As always, slow and steady! Your cat is going to be less inclined to let you try and get into their mouth if the first time was a little traumatic. Gently fuss around your cat’s face and mouth and increase the intensity over time.
Although you may want to go in and perform a whole mouth clean on the first try, it’s likely to scare your cat too much for next time.
What Age Should I Clean My Cats Teeth?
You can start cleaning your cat’s teeth at any age. On the whole, the earlier the better. If you can keep on top of your cat’s oral hygiene from when they are a kitten, then they will be less likely to require a general anaesthetic for a dental when they are older.
If your pet has recently had dental treatment, now may be a good time to start cleaning, as there is a clean baseline to work from.
How Much Does Dental Treatment Cost?
If your pet requires dental treatment under a general anaesthetic, the cost can vary depending on if and how many teeth are required to be extracted. We would need to see your pet for an appointment to give you an accurate estimate.
Psst! – If you are part of our healthcare plan, then this includes a 10% discount on a dental procedure.
What Happens If I Never Brush My Cats Teeth?
Many cats go throughout their whole lives without their teeth being cleaned. If you do not brush their teeth, then they may require a general anaesthetic for dental treatment in the future due to plaque and tartar build up.
How Do I Brush My Cats Teeth If They Don’t Let Me?
If your cat doesn’t let you brush their teeth, then we recommend going back to basics and starting really slowly. Over time, desensitisation may help with being able to clean their teeth.
Unfortunately, some cats will have zero tolerance to having their teeth cleaned. In these cases, we may need to carry out regular dental checks to ensure that dental treatment is not required.
