FAQ: Grooming for cats

Use only toothpaste made for cats or pets, which is safe to swallow and often has a flavour cats like. Never use human toothpaste on a cat, as its fluoride and other ingredients are not meant to be swallowed.

Cats suit a small soft-bristle pet toothbrush, a double-ended brush or a silicone finger brush. The head must be small enough to fit in a cat's mouth and reach the back teeth.

Lift the lip and brush the outer surface of the teeth in gentle circles, especially the back molars and canines where most plaque builds up. The inner surfaces need not be brushed, as the tongue partly cleans them. Start with a few seconds and build up gradually.

First let the cat lick some toothpaste off your finger, then touch the gums with your finger, move on to a finger brush and only then to a regular toothbrush. Repeat each step for a few days and finish with praise or a treat.

Dental treats and special food can mechanically reduce plaque a little, but they don't replace brushing. They are worth using as an extra, counting their calories in the daily ration.

Oral-hygiene additives poured into drinking water can help reduce plaque, but some cats drink less because of the changed taste. Use only products made for cats as labelled and watch that the cat drinks enough.

These are products applied to the gums or sprayed into the mouth that help reduce plaque and bad breath when brushing is not possible. They are less effective than a toothbrush and are used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Bad breath usually points to plaque, tartar or gum inflammation, but can also be linked to other illnesses. If the smell is strong or appeared suddenly, the cat should be checked by a vet.

No, existing tartar cannot be safely removed at home: a vet does it, usually under anaesthesia. Home care such as brushing helps prevent new tartar after a professional clean.

Warning signs include bad breath, red gums, drooling, chewing on one side, dropping food, pawing at the face or a reduced appetite. In that case see a vet.

It is worth getting a kitten used to tooth brushing while its milk teeth are changing, as young animals accept new habits more easily. The gums may be sensitive during teething, so brush very gently then.

A healthy cat's ears usually clean themselves, so regular checks are enough. Clean them only when dirt is visible, though some breeds, such as Sphynx or Scottish Folds, need it more often.

Put some ear cleaner made for cats on a cotton pad or gauze and gently wipe the visible part of the ear flap. Don't push anything into the ear canal, and if the cleaner is dripped into the ear, do it as the label says and massage the base of the ear.

Cotton buds should never be pushed into a cat's ear canal, as they push dirt deeper and can accidentally damage the ear. They can only be used carefully on the visible folds of the ear flap.

Use an ear cleaner made for cats or pets, which is gentle and non-irritating. Don't use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, oils or products for people, as they can irritate the delicate skin of the ear.

See a vet if the cat shakes her head, scratches her ears, or you see dark coffee-ground-like debris, redness, swelling or notice an unpleasant smell. These can be signs of ear mites, infection or another condition that cleaning won't cure.

Checking the ears once a week is convenient, for example while brushing. A healthy ear is pale pink, clean, without a strong smell and without discharge.

No, an ordinary ear cleaner only removes dirt but does not treat mites or infections. If you suspect mites or inflammation, a vet will find the cause and prescribe the right treatment.

More wax often builds up in hairless cats, which lack protective hairs in the ears, and in breeds with folded or very large ears. These cats need ear cleaning more often, but if the dirt suddenly increases, talk to a vet.

A healthy cat's eyes are clean, and small dry bits of discharge in the corners can be wiped away with a clean damp cloth. Flat-faced breeds often need their eyes cleaned daily.