How Do I Brush My Cat’s Teeth? A Step-by-Step Guide to Preventing Dental Disease

Many cat owners don’t brush their pet’s teeth. This may seem normal to many, but the reality is that around 70% of cats over age 3 show signs of dental disease. The most commonly-diagnosed condition among adult cats is periodontal disease. Among vets, brushing is considered the gold standard for preventing the buildup of tartar and plaque. In this guide, we will present a simple, stress-free process for brushing a cat’s teeth and preventing feline dental disease.

Why Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth is So Important

Did you know that plaque actually begins to form within hours after eating? If plaque isn’t removed from the teeth and gums, it can start to develop into tartar (calculus) in as little as 24-72 hours. As mentioned, dental disease silently affects as much as 70%+ of cats over age three.

The progressions of the condition is simple:

• Plaque leads to gingivitis, which is reversible if it is caught in time.

• Gingivitis leads to periodontitis, which does irreversible damage.

The most common feline dental conditions according to vets are gingivitis, periodontitis, tooth resorption and stomatitis. If left untreated, these conditions lead to issues like pain and tooth loss. In more extreme cases, the infections can even spread to the kidneys, liver or heart, which is very serious.

Cats are very good at hiding when they are in pain, so you may not notice any symptoms until the condition has developed quite far.This is why prevention is the best approach.

What You Need Before You Start

If you are going to brush your cat’s teeth, the first thing you need to do is make sure you have the right equipment to hand. Like with humans, this means you need a toothbrush and some toothpaste - however, just any toothbrush and toothpaste won’t do.

You need:

• A cat-specific toothbrush: Finger brushes are helpful for beginners as they are relatively easy to manoeuver into position. Alternatively, a special cat brush with a small head and soft bristles is ideal.

• Veterinary toothpaste: Never use human toothpaste. Fluoride is toxic to cats and could do serious damage. Cat toothpaste is enzymatic and safe for them to swallow, and you can get it in flavours like poultry or malt - more appealing to cats.

There are some other helpful items that can be used to reinforce the brushing. Dental wipes are a good one, and you could use VOHC-approved dental treats as an extra resource to protect against plaque.

When you are preparing to do it, choose a calm time of day when your cat is relaxed. Be realistic about it - training is likely to take days or weeks before you manage to get your cat to allow the brushing to happen. Sessions should only be short - no more than 30-60 seconds total.

How Do I Brush My Cat’s Teeth? (Step-by-Step Guide)

Let’s break down the correct method to brush your cat’s teeth. The first three steps are all about getting your cat comfortable so that it will allow its teeth to be cleaned. After this, the remaining steps are all about brushing properly to get the best clean.

Steps 1-3: Getting Your Cat Comfortable

Here are the first few steps to getting your cat used to having its teeth brushed. They revolve around making it comfortable with the initial stages.

• Step 1 - Familiarising with the toothpaste: Let your cat taste the toothpaste by putting a bit on your finger and allowing it to lick it off.

• Step 2 - Try exposing the cat’s teeth: Gently lift your cat’s top lip for a few seconds. Don’t brush at this point; just let them experience the feeling of you doing this.

• Step 3 - Rub the teeth gently: Before attempting to use a brush, it can be helpful to gently rub the teeth with your finger so the cat can become used to the sensation.

These first three steps should be practised daily for at least a few days before you even think about progressing. It is absolutely crucial that you never attempt to be forceful with the cat. Stress reduces long-term compliance, especially with cats.

Steps 4-6: Brushing Properly

Once you have gotten through the initial preparation and your cat is comfortable with you touching its teeth, you may be ready to try the next steps of actually brushing the teeth. Here’s what you need to do:

• Step 4 - Introducing the toothbrush: When you start using the brush, it should be introduced at a slight angle. Vets recommend brushing at 45 degrees to the gumline.

• Step 5 - The brushing motion: It is best to brush in gentle circular motions to maximise the effectiveness of the plaque removal.

• Step 6 - Effective technique: As you brush, you should focus mainly on the outer surfaces of the teeth. The tongue naturally cleans the inner surfaces so you don’t need to worry about them.

As mentioned, the process should last around 30-60 seconds in total. Daily brushing is ideal but, if daily isn’t possible, try to aim for at least 3-4 times per week. Consistency matters more than getting a perfect brush every time. It gets easier the more you do it and even partial brushing can help reduce the build-up of plaque.

What If My Cat Won’t Let Me Brush? (Alternatives and Vet Care)

Some cats will never tolerate brushing - that is common. If you keep trying and your cat simply will not allow you to do it, there are other things you can try to help keep plaque to a minimum. Alternatives to brushing include:

• VOHC-approved dental diets (large kibble for mechanical cleaning)

• Dental treats

• Water additives

• Dental gels

• Plaque-reducing powders

• Dental toys

Note that while all of these things can help reduce plaque, they are not a direct replacement for brushing. If you can brush your cat’s teeth, do that - it is much more effective and reliable for preventing feline dental issues.

If a problem with a cat’s teeth gets very bad, there are professional veterinary dental cleaning processes. These require general anaesthetic and include scaling above and below the gumline. We recommend annual vet dental check-ups, and that you start brushing kittens from around 6 months, when their adult teeth come in.

Final Thoughts

Understand that 70% of cats over the age of three develop dental disease - this is a huge number for a preventable condition. Brushing a cat’s teeth is not a cosmetic procedure - we do it to prevent plaque and tartar build-up.

Starting early and being persistent makes the process a lot easier. If you are feeling uncertain about it, we recommend that you speak to your vet for some more personalised advice. It doesn’t have to be a monumental thing; a small daily effort can yield long-term health benefits when you learn how to brush your cat’s teeth.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Do I Brush My Cat’s Teeth?

How often should I brush my cat’s teeth?

If you can get the hang of it, the ideal answer is to brush your cat’s teeth for 30-60 seconds every day. If this isn't possible, aim for a minimum of 3-4 times per week to reduce plaque.

Can I use human toothpaste on my cat?

In a word: no. Fluoride is toxic to cats and could lead to serious health complications. Always use veterinary toothpaste designed for cats to clean their teeth and avoid risking their health.