Cat dental care: how to brush your cat's teeth

Just like you, your cat benefits from regular dental care. Find out why cat dental care is beneficial, what you can do to prevent dental disease and how to brush your cat's teeth.

Why cat dental care is beneficial

If you don't care for your cat's teeth, they will inevitably get dirty. When teeth get really dirty they become covered in plaque, a film of bacteria. Plaque in animals is hardened by saliva, which forms a concrete-like coating on the teeth called tartar (or calculus).

Prevent dental disease

Tartar can lead to dental disease:

• gingivitis – inflammation of the gums
• gingivostomatitis  – inflammation of the whole mouth
• abscesses in the tooth root
• tooth resorption – eroded and destroyed teeth
• recession of the gums – exposing tooth roots and loosening teeth

Dental disease is very painful. Many cats will keep eating through the pain, but their appetite may be reduced.

Reduce vet visits

If your cat gets a dental disease, they will need to see a vet. The vet will give your cat pain relief medication and perhaps antibiotics.

In some cases it may be necessary for your vet to remove loose or resorbed, eroded teeth by performing a surgical procedure on your cat under anaesthetic.

Prevent infection

Teeth that are heavily coated in plaque are a potential source of bacterial infection in other parts of your cat's body. Heart disease or kidney disease can sometimes be the result.

What cat dental care involves

It's best to prevent plaque from building up in the first place. Brush your cat's teeth regularly and look out for signs of dental disease.

Brush your cat's teeth

If your cat's teeth are evenly white or off-white with no odour and light pink gums then you can start brushing.

Brush once a day. Keep sessions short – about two minutes. And make sure your cat is relaxed. For practical advice, see our six step guide below.

Some cats just won't tolerate or cope with teeth brushing, especially if they are worried about handling or didn't get used to it as a kitten.

If you or your cat aren't comfortable with teeth brushing, you can try gels, powders or mouthwash for cats.

Check for dental disease

If your cat has any signs of dental disease, brushing could be painful for them. In that case, speak with your vet. Look out for these signs of dental disease:

• bad breath
• grey-brown coating on the teeth
• red and inflamed gums
• gums receding
• teeth loose or broken

Dental chews

Dental chews might be helpful. Choose something tough and chewy and large enough that your cat definitely has to chew it. Avoid chews that are too hard, as there is a risk of damage to  teeth.

Be sure to cut down on your cat's other food if you're giving them a chew.

Special diet

A special diet is another possibility. It's often said that dried foods and biscuits are good for teeth and gums. But few studies have been done to see if they really reduce plaque long-term.

Some studies have been done on other foods. Foods with a higher fibre content have been shown to act like a brush on a cat's teeth as they are chewed. Other foods create an antibacterial coating on the teeth which slows the build up of plaque.

How to brush your cat's teeth

Before you get into the habit of brushing your cat's teeth, get the right items:

• A special pet toothbrush from the vet or pet shop
• Cat toothpaste, available at your local pet shop

Start the habit of brushing while your cat is young. Although you can train an older cat to accept their teeth being brushed, it takes more patience and time.

Get your cat comfortable with having their teeth brushed by following the six steps below over a period of time.

1 Get your cat used to the taste

Dab a little toothpaste on your cat's nose or lips and let them lick it off. Repeat this daily for three to four days.

Don't progress too fast. Your cat needs to feel comfortable with each stage of the procedure before you move on.

2 Find the right position

You'll need to get your cat used to being in position for teeth brushing. 

Place your cat on a surface at a suitable height so that you can stand or sit comfortably behind them. Face them away from you and use your body to stop them backing away.

Lean forward over your cat and position your forearms so that they are pressing on their sides. This is to restrict wriggling.

3 Practise moving your cat's lips

Pop your free hand on to your cat's chest to hold them in place. If your cat is struggling, you may be holding too tight.

Use your dominant hand to practise moving your cat's upper and lower lips.

4 Start with a cotton bud

Put a little toothpaste on a cotton bud. Pass it between and under your cat's lips to the teeth. You do not need to open their mouth.

Start to brush with a circular motion. It's usually best to start with the back teeth. Do this for just a few seconds and then let your cat go.

Gradually increase the period of time you brush until you are cleaning all your cat's teeth. Pay special attention to the area where the tooth meets the gum, as this is where plaque tends to build up.

5 Move on to a toothbrush

Once your cat is comfortable with the cotton bud, move on to using a toothbrush. Don't rush this stage.

Gradually increase the time spent brushing until you can brush daily for about a minute on each side of the mouth. Be sure to brush gently so that you don't irritate your cat's gums.

6 Reward your cat

Once your cat is comfortable with the cotton bud, move on to using a toothbrush. Don't rush this stage.