Do you brush your cat's teeth?

Hi,
I just took my 3 year old cat for her annual check up and her teeth are full of plaque- some of it black looking?
We were told to brush her teeth once daily.

We were told to look at a website that has videos showing a dog having his teeth brushed. The vet there used something called 'dentifrice.' Do you need special toothpaste?

The vet didn't offer any special toothpaste but I have an old tube of cat toothpaste from a petshop that I tried and failed a year ago with my cat.

I was wondering if anybody brushes their cats teeth and is it a huge battle? :shock:

 

Hi. Yes, at first it can be a battle, but if you do it daily it will get better. I don't use the cat toothpaste, but it may be helpful to start with. Make sure the paste has not expired by now. You'll need a small toothbrush. I use a soft child toothbrush. At first just try to do a few quick strokes and then give the cat a treat after and lot's of praise. As the weeks go by just try to do a bit more. I think I must spend only about 10-15 seconds brushing Juliette's teeth per day.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for your encouraging reply Chessmind I'll look into getting some toothpaste that shouldn't be expired tomorrow.

 

chess....any helpful hints?
If I tried to brush Missy's teeth I fear I'd be a digit or 2 lighter :roll: clipping her claws is so dangerous I fear losing my life insurance!!!

 

I give my cats raw chicken wings, that helps to keep them clean to, they love them.

 

You know some cats will simply just not let you do certain things, like brush their teeth. A perfect example is my wife's cat, Ink. Mr. Grumpy would not for a million catnip plants let me brush his teeth. I tried for a week straight and then gave up. He's just one of those cats that needs to go to the vet and be sedated to have his teeth cleaned. So that's what we do. We take him once a year for his annual teeth cleaning.

It's normal for most cats to not be too cooperative when we brush their teeth. However, if the whole ordeal is causing you or your cat to get injured, it's best that they go to a vet.

 

I gave my 2 rascles a bath yesterday...BOY OH BOY :shock: :shock: :shock: What an ordeal...
My gal Tiff, she was quite ok when she got used to the water running on her, But Jay, LOL..BATTLE STATIONS EVERYONE.. :lol: :lol: :m20: :m36: