Is it funny that someone wants to brush their cat teeth?

GGG

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Hello,
So today, I was looking into skye's mouth just checking her teeth... so I thought to myself that maybe I should start brushing her teeth ( I know some people do and some don't) so I posted on a group asking what toothpaste do people recommend.... I just like to ask for opinions, well, apparently that was funny... some people reply respectfully and others it was something to laugh about or make not funny jokes... if I wanted to have a pet, I should care for it not just pick and choose what I want to care for or what not.... they have teeth just like we do... they need care too...

Do you guys brush your cat's teeth or I'm over doing it?

Thanks
 

molly92

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Not funny at all! Most cats have (expensive) dental issues at some point in their lives, and tooth brushing is a great way to prevent that!

There are a few differences from human teeth brushing, and it can be difficult to train a cat to accept it, but it's hugely beneficial for sure. Cornell has a good overview of the whys and hows.

I tried very hard, but my cat was not ever going to cooperate with me enough for teeth brushing. I've found that ordering raw gizzards from Hare Today and giving her one every few days as a treat is a much better compromise for her. The action of her chewing the raw, tough meat seems to do a good job of keeping her teeth pretty clean, and it's much less stressful for both of us than teeth brushing. My vet has also recommended Plaque Off to help fight plaque.
 
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klunick

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My vet suggested getting sealants on their teeth to help prevent tartar build up. Still thinking about that. Never had an issue with our other cats' teeth so not sure how necessary a sealant would be.
 

klunick

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I just checked the estimate given and the vet wants almost $100 per cat to do the sealant. :headshake:
 
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GGG

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Not funny at all! Most cats have (expensive) dental issues at some point in their lives, and tooth brushing is a great way to prevent that!

There are a few differences from human teeth brushing, and it can be difficult to train a cat to accept it, but it's hugely beneficial for sure. Cornell has a good overview of the whys and hows.

I tried very hard, but my cat was not ever going to cooperate with me enough for teeth brushing. I've found that ordering raw gizzards from Hare Today and giving her one every few days as a treat is a much better compromise for her. The action of her chewing the raw, tough meat seems to do a good job of keeping her teeth pretty clean, and it's much less stressful for both of us than teeth brushing. My vet has also recommended Plaque Off to help fight plaque.
Thank you for your reply!
Where do you buy the plaque off?
I've never seen it where I live
 
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GGG

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I just checked the estimate given and the vet wants almost $100 per cat to do the sealant. :headshake:
Our vet gave me an estimate of about $ 600 to clean my cat"s teeth, that's just cleaning. It would be more if she needs some work wich the vet doesn't think would be the case...

It just kind of bothered me the way some people replied when I posted on the other group... I just don't find it necessary to reply on a post if it's not a helpful reply... I don't know but that's just me, if I don't have something good to say I just don't say anything....
That's why I posted here, this site is ALWAYS over helpful and respectful 😺
 

fionasmom

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It was not a silly question at all. Years ago, as I purchased insulin for my first diabetic cat at a human pharmacy, the pharmacist laughed at me. I bought the insulin and never went back there and it is about 20 years now and I am sure that person is long since not working there. Dental work and problems are very serious in dogs and cats and you were being proactive to think about it.
 
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GGG

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It was not a silly question at all. Years ago, as I purchased insulin for my first diabetic cat at a human pharmacy, the pharmacist laughed at me. I bought the insulin and never went back there and it is about 20 years now and I am sure that person is long since not working there. Dental work and problems are very serious in dogs and cats and you were being proactive to think about it.
Thank you!!
I'm just trying to avoid or minimize issues for my kitty.... I started yesterday to brush her teeth...she wasn't a big fan of it but I managed to do it for a bit... her teeth were a little yellow, I did it today too and checked they look cleaner 😊 ...
 
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GGG

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ToruPop

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I bought a toothbrush and cat toothpaste to brush Toru's teeth but so far he ain't havin' it!
 

kittyluv387

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No it's really impressive! If your cat allows teeth brushing do keep on doing it. Plaque takes about 48 hours to become permanent so brushing every other day is pretty good. I brush one of my cat's teeth and he doesn't need to go get a dental as often as my other cat. I think he is going to be able to go at the 3 year mark since his last dental. But my other cat I can't brush his teeth and he badly needs a dental by the time I take him in at the 1.5 year mark. Your wallet will thank you and your kitty will stay healthier! The blood vessels connect from teeth to other organs so it is good to avoid gingivitis.
 

cataholic07

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Why do people find it funny? Brushing your cats teeth is quite important. Cats are notorious for having really bad teeth, dentals are expensive and extractions are even worse. My boys they arent a fan of it but I can do a light brushing when tired, my kitten LOVES her teeth being brushed because she LOVES the toothpaste lol. She's obsessed with it. I for sure recommend a brushing a few times a week, even if you just a qtip with tuna water to quickly scrape off the tartar once a day :)
 
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GGG

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Why do people find it funny? Brushing your cats teeth is quite important. Cats are notorious for having really bad teeth, dentals are expensive and extractions are even worse. My boys they arent a fan of it but I can do a light brushing when tired, my kitten LOVES her teeth being brushed because she LOVES the toothpaste lol. She's obsessed with it. I for sure recommend a brushing a few times a week, even if you just a qtip with tuna water to quickly scrape off the tartar once a day :)
It's crazy how some people think is funny ... I posted in another group just to ask what people are doing.... some even made fun of the post not in a nice way... so far I've brushed her teeth twice, not for long but I was able to do it for a tiny bit.... hopefully she'll get use to it.

Thank you for your reply... that's why I like posting here, No one judges. They help 😺
 

ToruPop

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Any strategies for getting cats accustomed to it. I was able to eventually get Toru to settle down enough to clip his claws, but he seems even more resistant to brushing his teeth. Maybe a different toothpaste? I held it out for him so he could smell it and get used to it but he fought and ran when I finally got some in his mouth.
 
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GGG

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Any strategies for getting cats accustomed to it. I was able to eventually get Toru to settle down enough to clip his claws, but he seems even more resistant to brushing his teeth. Maybe a different toothpaste? I held it out for him so he could smell it and get used to it but he fought and ran when I finally got some in his mouth.
They are smart....
Skye let's me brush but NOT for long. I have to hold her so she doesn't run away. I have to give her medication twice a day because she has hyperesthesia and she knows when it's time so she runs away from me.... so I have to get my son to pick her up and give her to me, he does it so easily
I'm trying to brush her teeth every other day so she gets used to it, I.don't want to do it every day yet because she gets stressed out easily, I don't want to add to her stress Cistitys either.
 

rootb33r

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It was not a silly question at all. Years ago, as I purchased insulin for my first diabetic cat at a human pharmacy, the pharmacist laughed at me. I bought the insulin and never went back there and it is about 20 years now and I am sure that person is long since not working there. Dental work and problems are very serious in dogs and cats and you were being proactive to think about it.
My diabetic cat was named 'Fluffers'... named before I was old enough to know that was a role in the porn industry and not just an innocent variant on Fluffy...

Bought insulin for her for 9 years and definitely got a lot of grins heh but it never bothered me because I knew why. Don't worry about it, it's your cat who you love and that pharmacist sounds like a dick who's never cared for a pet.
 
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