Why and how often
Dental and gum disease are common in cats, and a cat hides pain: it may go on eating even though chewing hurts. Brushing slows down the build-up of plaque and helps you spot changes in the mouth sooner.
Brushing every day is best, or at least a few times a week, but a cat needs to be eased into it patiently, little by little over several weeks. Use only toothpaste made for cats: a cat must not swallow toothpaste for people.
What you need
- A small cat toothbrush or a finger brush Grooming
- Toothpaste made for cats Grooming
- Treats as a reward afterwards Treats
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Step by step
- Get it used to being touched For a few days, when your cat is relaxed, touch its cheeks and lift its lip, then give a treat. Let it lick a little toothpaste off your finger.
- Run a finger over the gums Once your cat lets you touch its lips, gently run a finger with toothpaste over a few teeth and the gums.
- Move on to the brush When your cat calmly lets you touch its teeth with a finger, try the brush. Brush only the outer side of the teeth, with small movements along the gum line.
- Keep it short A few moments is enough at first. Brush a little longer each time until you reach the back teeth.
- Look inside the mouth Check that the gums are pink, with no red line along the teeth, and look for broken teeth or brown tartar.
- Finish with a reward Praise your cat afterwards and give a treat or play. If it resists, do not push: go back one step.
When to stop and see a vet
Stop if it hurts, your cat bites or the gums bleed. See a vet if the breath smells bad, the gums are red or swollen, your cat drools, chews on one side, lets food fall from its mouth, paws at its mouth, eats less or will only take soft food. Tartar is removed by a vet.