Teeth brushing for cats - any suggestions?

[Jayinthetub]

On our annual vet trip it turns out big boy cat (4yo) has a “minor build up” on his teeth with advice to try brushing them. Before I start on what I can only imagine will be a tricky, messy task which will no doubt result in me covered in foul smelling cat toothpaste and himself sulky staring through the cat flap, does anyone have any good advice or best tips? This is very new to us!

No actual solutions, but don't be fooled by the cat toothpaste which says you can just put it on their paw and they will lick it off cutely, without you having to go near their mouth at all.

Assuming you can actually get any of it onto their paw, the first thing they will do is shake said paw and flick the stuff straight into your face 😬

I was told the same but cant get anywhere near my cat’s teeth

I bought some of those wooden stick cat toys that the cat does chew on and some of those treats that are supposed to reduce plaque but no idea if they are working yet. I doubt it

None. My cat would almost certainly scratch of bite if I dared. He’s ok otherwise.

Iv seen a spray advertised that you spray on and it dissolved tartar without having to brush at it. I don't know what it's called but you'd probably find it if you googled.

It's the spray foam one.

The relief when Penelope had all her teeth out was amazing!

I’ve never brushed either of my cats’ teeth and never will lol

I use dentabits. This was after she had her teeth cleaned and scaled and one removed about 1-2 years ago. No way am I actually brushing her teeth, she wouldn’t like it. And would just hide from me.

Ha! We've a lovely beef toothpaste that's never seen the inside of a cat's mouth!

We use the larger dental dry food, no idea if it helps but he does eat it.

We do use that but she licks it off my finger, so presumably it tastes good.

Or bath them!

Flashdance style visor and armour?

I value my hands and arms too much to bathe my cat, plus she washes herself nicely.

My cats get a cleaning at around 10 years old and they’re done. No brushing.

Them licking it off your finger does that mean it’s cleaned their teeth?

It’s bloody hard opening a cat’s mouth, god only knows how the vet does it but they do. And my cat is surprisingly tolerant of this (probably in shock).

Same with mine, she was 11, had to have a tooth out, was under anaesthetic, not bloody cheap though, just over £1K!

Yes I have a solution! My vet gives me a powder which you mix into wet food which replaces toothpaste but I’m not home now so don’t know the name.. will look later, it’s very effective!

Well, it’s one of the options suggested in the instructions.

Thank you all for the suggestions and experience - I suspected it might be a tricky task!

I particularly like @Sunisgettinganewhaton’s suggestion - I could also don that for putting the sticky stuff on his neck…

We got told the same and got given toothpaste…not a chance in hell was that going to work…

We switched to Royal Canin dental biscuits (our cats have wet food morning & evening and biscuits on demand - we were using Lily’s Kitchen before) and they all love them (we have 4 cats and it was the older ones with the dental issues) and eat twice as much as before, and vet said teeth much improved!

Yes!

I wouldn't unless I fancied a trip to a+e

Whiskey. Lots of it.
Will also act as an antiseptic at a push.

My late cat, (who was incredibly placid and tolerant) was given toothpaste. She was pretty good with it but it was vanilla flavoured, and she hated it.

We’ve been told our cats have ‘minor build up’ - but they’re cats, not presenting The One Show, so I really wouldn’t worry about cleaning them. A mix of wet and dry food was advised to me.