what do you use to brush your cat's teeth

[Paul9856]

Chaps,

Our Scottish straight (an unfolded scottish fold) Belle is 4 months old today and we want her to have a long and healthy life with us so we are trying daily toothbrushing. What brushes or pastes do you use? I am in Ukraine so not so many products are available but there is the interweb for shopping if I can't get an item here

Regards

Paul

 

[LTS3]

CET toothpaste is very popular if you can find that online where you are. The poultry flavored one is a hit with most cats. Seafood is also a good choice and is a tartar control toothpaste. CET also has starter kits and toothbrushes.

The CET mini cat toothbrush works well but only comes as part of a kit. http://www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/c.e.t.-oral-hygiene-kit-for-cats/cet-pet-oral-hygiene-kits

View media item 343283
Any pet toothpaste you can buy in the pet store or online will work well. You can use a very small pet toothbrush or finger brush or even a very soft baby toothbrush or a piece of gauze wrapped around a finger.

 

[crazy4strays]

I use this product for brushing my cats' teeth. 
I also use this product as a supplement to brushing. 
Good for you for brushing your kitty's teeth!

 

[cocobutterfly]

 
Chaps,

Our Scottish straight (an unfolded scottish fold) Belle is 4 months old today and we want her to have a long and healthy life with us so we are trying daily toothbrushing. What brushes or pastes do you use? I am in Ukraine so not so many products are available but there is the interweb for shopping if I can't get an item here

Regards

Paul

I use this toothbrush and toothpaste combo  for our cat about 3 times a week. The kit comes with toothpaste and 2 toothbrushes - one regular cat toothbrush with a long handle and one finger brush. You might be able to find one at the local pet store in Ukraine.

In the beginning, I found the finger brush easier to work with since I could put it right over my index finger and brush away. But I think the regular bristle brush on the long handle does a better job of cleaning and brushing. 

At first she was only interested in licking the toothpaste off the brush, but we're slowly working on getting her used to regular brushing. Once when I had on the finger brush, she bit down on my finger. It was a bit painful, but it wasn't her fault, I didn't know what I was doing and just left my finger between her teeth without holding her mouth open.

I cannot stress the importance of dental health in pets! I've seen too many suffer too much to get anesthetized for dental work. Good luck and let us know how it worked out.

 

[Paul9856]

Many thanks to everyone for your helpful advice - I'll look at what is suggested and compare them with what the zootavary magasines are selling. At the moment I have a russian made gel that we are using whenever Belle is calm enough to try - not tonight she is wild at the moment

 

[lavishsqualor]

I use the CET brush and paste.  That Sentry spray looks interesting.  I may have to try it out.

 

[cuddlemum]

I am hoping to start brushing my 2 and 1/2 year old shelter cat, we got him this year in March, and have managed to get him to let me brush his fur and clip nails so teeth is next on the agenda. We in Australia here and have heard you can these wipes for teeth and a spray that you put on there food. Dunno if that is more for breath or tartar?? And also a dental water? also as well as the brush combo mentioned above. Some say greenies helps with breath as well.
We in the country here so will have to wait till we get into the suburbs to get something for him.
These are what I found in my nearest pet barn place that they sell.
https://www.petbarn.com.au/animates-round-cat-dental-wipes-100-pack
https://www.petbarn.com.au/hartz-dentists-best-dental-kit
https://www.petbarn.com.au/aquadent-dental-water-250ml-for-dogs-and-cats
https://www.petbarn.com.au/tropiclean-clean-teeth-gel-118ml
https://www.petbarn.com.au/dentipet-dog-cat-toothpaste-70g-chicken-flavour
https://www.petbarn.com.au/dentipet-dog-cat-toothpaste-70g-beef-flavour
Hope it's ok to post these links? Please remove if not allowed.
I have no idea what these products are like but when I buy some will let you know. I am not endorsing these products, but thought it might be interesting for comparison and might be something similar where you live that might be helpful for your cats teeth also. I plan on getting something in the next week to try him on. And will keep you posted.

Never brushed a cats teeth before and have not much idea of how to go about it.

 

[NewYork1303]

I am hoping to start brushing my 2 and 1/2 year old shelter cat, we got him this year in March, and have managed to get him to let me brush his fur and clip nails so teeth is next on the agenda. We in Australia here and have heard you can these wipes for teeth and a spray that you put on there food. Dunno if that is more for breath or tartar?? And also a dental water? also as well as the brush combo mentioned above. Some say greenies helps with breath as well.
We in the country here so will have to wait till we get into the suburbs to get something for him.
These are what I found in my nearest pet barn place that they sell.
https://www.petbarn.com.au/animates-round-cat-dental-wipes-100-pack
https://www.petbarn.com.au/hartz-dentists-best-dental-kit
https://www.petbarn.com.au/aquadent-dental-water-250ml-for-dogs-and-cats
https://www.petbarn.com.au/tropiclean-clean-teeth-gel-118ml
https://www.petbarn.com.au/dentipet-dog-cat-toothpaste-70g-chicken-flavour
https://www.petbarn.com.au/dentipet-dog-cat-toothpaste-70g-beef-flavour
Hope it's ok to post these links? Please remove if not allowed.
I have no idea what these products are like but when I buy some will let you know. I am not endorsing these products, but thought it might be interesting for comparison and might be something similar where you live that might be helpful for your cats teeth also. I plan on getting something in the next week to try him on. And will keep you posted.

Never brushed a cats teeth before and have not much idea of how to go about it.

My cat was the same age as your when we adopted him last months. We've been able to get him used to teeth brushing. Basically just start by having the cat lick the toothpaste then start brushing with a finger, a brush or a rag with the toothpaste on it. I always give my cat a treat after we finish brushing his teeth.

 

[cuddlemum]

Thanks for the help, will try that first and get him used to me messing around his mouth. And build up his tolerance of it. I am very much a animal lover and was a vet nurse for a few months many years ago and I know vet bills can be expensive. Always been a hands on kind person anyway. I know my mum won't ever clip her dogs nails in fear she will hurt him, or a shave for summer, even after I offerred to to it for free she still sends him to the vet lol. I would rather do them things myself as the dog or cat in this case is more willing to take it from some one they trust. I think it helps with bonding too. I know her dog had a dental clean and it's rather expensive but she does brush his teeth know as she and dad are on the pension. I am not really aware of prices of vet bills today besides vaccination, but I know 15 years ago it was rather expensive. I hate going to the dentist myself so can't imagine a cat would either lol.

I plan on getting a few different things, have been giving him greenies from time to time, but I don't think that really does anything. Great full for all the advice from everyone on here.

 

[NewYork1303]

Thanks for the help, will try that first and get him used to me messing around his mouth. And build up his tolerance of it. I am very much a animal lover and was a vet nurse for a few months many years ago and I know vet bills can be expensive. Always been a hands on kind person anyway. I know my mum won't ever clip her dogs nails in fear she will hurt him, or a shave for summer, even after I offerred to to it for free she still sends him to the vet lol. I would rather do them things myself as the dog or cat in this case is more willing to take it from some one they trust. I think it helps with bonding too. I know her dog had a dental clean and it's rather expensive but she does brush his teeth know as she and dad are on the pension. I am not really aware of prices of vet bills today besides vaccination, but I know 15 years ago it was rather expensive. I hate going to the dentist myself so can't imagine a cat would either lol.

I plan on getting a few different things, have been giving him greenies from time to time, but I don't think that really does anything. Great full for all the advice from everyone on here.

Dental cleanings are very expensive. At my vet office, any surgery starts at around 500 because of anethesia and everything during the surgery. This is why brushing teeth at home is a good plan. My vet was so happy when she heard we brush our cats teeth. Our three year old cat, who was on the verge of needing a dental last year now has healthy gums and very minimal tartar. 

 

[sophie1]

If you can't get cat toothpaste in the Ukraine, a soft baby toothbrush and a baking soda paste should work fine.  Giving them chunks of raw meat or raw meaty bones to chew also helps keep teeth clean.

Getting my cats to accept toothbrushing has been a real trial.  One of them is very food motivated, so he wasn't too difficult.  He grabs my hand and the toothbrush with his paws and licks the toothpaste like it's ice cream, so cute!  The other one is not particularly food motivated, so I've been at a loss what to do with him.  He will run and hide when he sees the toothbrush, so I have to get him when he's relaxed and out in the open. He'll let me get a couple of swipes at his back teeth, but that's it.  I use Petzlife gel with him, as he doesn't react any differently to that than the CET paste, and supposedly it works fine if you just get it on their teeth.

 

[cuddlemum]

How many times do you brush your cats teeth?
Am trying the Hartz dental kit and see how I go

 

[NewYork1303]

How many times do you brush your cats teeth?
Am trying the Hartz dental kit and see how I go

Ours get brushed at least every other day. 

 

[Paul9856]

We try for daily but if Belle is too lively we are happy to settle for every other day

Paul and Alina

 

[crazy4strays]

How many times do you brush your cats teeth?
Am trying the Hartz dental kit and see how I go

I brush my cats' teeth every day.

 

[cocobutterfly]

I am hoping to start brushing my 2 and 1/2 year old shelter cat, we got him this year in March, and have managed to get him to let me brush his fur and clip nails so teeth is next on the agenda. We in Australia here and have heard you can these wipes for teeth and a spray that you put on there food. Dunno if that is more for breath or tartar?? And also a dental water? also as well as the brush combo mentioned above. Some say greenies helps with breath as well.
We in the country here so will have to wait till we get into the suburbs to get something for him.
These are what I found in my nearest pet barn place that they sell.
https://www.petbarn.com.au/animates-round-cat-dental-wipes-100-pack
https://www.petbarn.com.au/hartz-dentists-best-dental-kit
https://www.petbarn.com.au/aquadent-dental-water-250ml-for-dogs-and-cats
https://www.petbarn.com.au/tropiclean-clean-teeth-gel-118ml
https://www.petbarn.com.au/dentipet-dog-cat-toothpaste-70g-chicken-flavour
https://www.petbarn.com.au/dentipet-dog-cat-toothpaste-70g-beef-flavour
Hope it's ok to post these links? Please remove if not allowed.
I have no idea what these products are like but when I buy some will let you know. I am not endorsing these products, but thought it might be interesting for comparison and might be something similar where you live that might be helpful for your cats teeth also. I plan on getting something in the next week to try him on. And will keep you posted.

Never brushed a cats teeth before and have not much idea of how to go about it.

There are many video tutorials on YouTube to help get you started. Here's one:

 

[LTS3]

Here's another video of how to brush cat's teeth: http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/pet-owners/cat-teeth

I brush my Aby's teeth daily. My other cat gets her teeth brushed every other day. While daily brushing is ideal, twice a week brushing is fine if that is all your cat will tolerate.

 

[banana queen]

I had no idea that cat tooth brushing was even a thing.....maybe I should invest in a brush and toothpaste for them.

 

[crazy4strays]

Regular toothbrushing drastically reduces periodontal disease (and therefore expensive veterinary dental work) in cats. It's definitely worth doing!