Brushing a cats teeth

[QueenOfIce]

Our 2 have today had their yearly checkup and vaccinations. The vet has told dh that we should be brushing our cats teeth daily. Dh has never seen this particular vet before and this is the first time in the 7 years we've had them we've been told!

I don't know about you but if either of us attempted to brush their teeth it would be like sticking your arm out of an open window on Safari.

How do we do this?

Hahaha. Haha. I'm bloody lucky if I can get to look at my cats' teeth. I would get squirming hysteria until they escaped, then wouldn't be able to touch either one for a week after.

Interestingly my vet, who adores cats, has never suggested to me or my DSis (who's been going there many many years) that we try to brush their teeth. I think it's one of those things that's good in theory but not really practical with most cats; chances are that the vets who suggest this aren't terribly au fait with cats out of the clinic environment.

Apparently she said she was disappointed we hadn't been told as it's the 'gold standard' I don't know anyone with cats that cleans their teeth! She's freaked out my dh he now thinks we've neglected our owners cats.

I asked my vet about brushing my kittens teeth she laughed and told me to buy plaque off powder, you sprinkle it on their food once a day, she advised its cheapest on Amazon.

Royal Canin Oral Care Biscuits. I've been complemented on the condition of Leroy's teeth!

Has this vet ever owned a cat?.

Supposedly it is recommended now that cats' teeth are cleaned daily. However our vets only mention it in passing, and I don't know anyone who actually does it, or cats that would tolerate it.

If you really wanted to do it you can gradually work up to it (though I can't imagine an adult cat taking to it anyway). I've never quite been brave enough!

I enjoy having fingers so no, I've never brushed a cats teeth.

I enjoy having fingers so no, I've never brushed a cats teeth.

This made me chuckle, but very true!

Still getting over the scars of trying to give my cats tablets for 3 consecutive days

Nope, never brushed my boy's teeth either.

Are you supposed to floss too?

I bought some teeth cleaning gel, no , I don't know how or even if, it works either, but the cat really liked it, you squeeze it on a paw and they lick it off.

Just buy the toothpaste, and as viques says let them lick it off their paws (or your finger). Cat toothpaste is very claggy, and they will effectively spread it round their own mouths.

We don't do this for all our cats, just one with a persistent plaque problem. It works. The vet is happy with the condition of his teeth, and told us not to bother with the actual brushing (which involves a sort of rubber thimble you're meant to wear while fiddling round in your cat's mouth. Ha.).

Sorry, I've just read your posts again and it doesn't seem as if your cats have any teeth problems at all. In that case I really wouldn't bother. I have never heard of daily brushing as a 'gold standard' for cats who are otherwise perfectly healthy!

I've found a plethora of teeth cleaning things, powders biscuits now cat toothpaste. 1 of ours has inflamed gums and plaque build up so has to have them cleaned. So we really do need to now keep on top of it.

I'll try all your suggestions thank you!

We just use a kibble with large biscuits, chewing on them cleans their teeth

When brushing her teeth, I hold her in the nook of my left arm as I do the right side of her teeth like a little babe in arms facing up and then reverse for the other side, we use Beaphar tooth gel which I apply a thin coating into mouth onto teeth back to front, she circulates it with her tongue over her teeth, liver flavour job done.

With my previous cat, I used www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/dog/dog-healthcare/dog-dental-care/puppy-and-kitten-toothpaste-kit?fa=%7c%7cprice_GBP%253A%255B0%2b*%255D# but he was very placid so could do whatever and he didn't care as long as he was fed, He used to eat fast in the mornings then come up and lie on my shoulder to be burped/

The gel is now a lot easier than sticking the brush on my finger and into the cat's mouth and brushing

I brush my boy's teeth. Sit him on my lap and use a pet toothbrush and toothpaste.
He is abnormally compliant for a cat though, just as well as he's 7Kg of solid muscle.
Old girl would have murdered me and eaten the remains...

Has this vet ever owned a cat?

Does this vet have human hands?

which involves a sort of rubber thimble you're meant to wear while fiddling round in your cat's mouth

Thimble is attached to a gauntlet that comes up the elbows and brusher also wears a welding mask.

Vet nurse here, you aren't neglecting your cats. Yeah sure it would be best if you could brush your cats teeth but most won't allow it unless they've been having it done since they were kittens. Yes it can help keep tartar and plaque at bay but you don't want to be stressing your cats out loads. One of mine would definitely let me do it as she's the most laid back and easy going cat in the world but the other one just wouldn't be having it. If you can manage that's great, if not there are plenty of things that can be put in their food or water on occasion to help with plaque. It's also best to feed a dry diet as the crunching of the nuggets physically takes off some of the plaque like brushing does.