How To Brush Cats Teeth

While normal cat teeth can smell a little, a strong pungent breath from your feline fur baby is never a good sign, and might indicate dental problems. So, it is important to clean their teeth to prevent periodontal disease and other health problems in cats. Although it might seem a challenge, learning how to brush cats teeth can be your step towards ensuring your furry munchkin’s oral health. Read on to find out how to brush cats teeth and prevent dental problems before they start with good cat dental care.

Why You Should Brush Your Cat’s Teeth -

Cats are incredibly loving and affectionate, often expressing their admiration by licking or kissing their favourite human on the face. Although normal cat teeth can have an unpleasant smell, knowing how to brush cats teeth can go a long way in keeping the mouth of your furry feline smelling fresh.

Additionally, most cats are also known to suffer from dental disorders at some point in their life, and knowing how to brush cats teeth through thorough brushing can help in getting rid of plaque buildup. Almost 50 to 80% of all cats over the age of four are known to suffer from periodontal diseases resulting from plaque buildup which can thicken and mineralize, leading to tartar. Severe cases of tartar on cat teeth, if left untreated, can also lead to gingivitis and destructive periodontal disease which severely damages normal cat teeth and can ultimately cause permanent tooth loss.

How Often Do I Need to Brush My Cat’s Teeth?

Just like their human parents, feline fur kiddos also need their teeth brushed regularly to prevent any bacterial infestation and plaque buildup. Since cats over the age of 4 are exceedingly likely to suffer from dental diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth resorption, it is vital to pay extra attention to their cat dental care and brush their teeth as frequently as possible. In addition to preventing tartar buildup and periodontal diseases adequate cat dental care for fur babies also helps in getting rid of foul breath in cats. 

Your feline munchkin might not always be enthusiastic about getting their teeth brushed. In such a case you can also resort to effective alternatives to brushing their teeth such as using cat dental care gels that contain enzymes restricting the accumulation of tartar, or giving them delicious cat treats and water additives to help get rid of plaque and trapped food particles.

Steps to follow while brushing cat’s teeth -

Many cat parents wonder how to brush cats teeth without hurting their sensitive gums. So, mentioned below are some easy tips to follow on how to brush cats teeth: 

• Choose a quiet time when the cat is relaxed.

• Position his backside against you to reach easily around his body. Offer plenty of reassuring strokes along his face.

• Lift up your kitty’s head at a slight angle and raise his lip.

• Slip the toothbrush into his mouth, and with a soft, circular motion, work the brush lightly across his teeth near the gums, back to front, for about 10 seconds.

• Switch sides and repeat.
• Reward with snuggles and delicious cat treats.

What type of toothbrush should be used to brush cats' teeth?

In addition to knowing how to brush a cat’s teeth, choosing the right cat tooth brush is also important when it comes to cleaning your adorable fur baby’s teeth. Toothbrushes designed for human use are unsuitable for cats as they have sharp bristles that can cut across your kitty’s sensitive gums, as well as strip away the protective enamel coating of their teeth. 

Instead, it is important to use commercial toothbrushes that are available at pet stores and are specifically designed for feline use. These soft cat toothbrushes are gentle on your cat’s sensitive teeth and gums and are equipped with an angled handle, as well as smaller, softer bristles that are convenient to use and comfortably fit your kitty’s cute mouth. For easier brushing, you can also look for soft finger toothbrushes that are designed to fit the tip of your finger as you manually brush your furball’s teeth.

Conclusion 

At a glance, brushing your kitty's teeth might sound like a daunting challenge, however, brushing the cat's teeth is still crucial as it prevents tartar buildup that can cause periodontal disease and other health problems if left unchecked. Additionally, brushing also helps in getting rid of the foul breath and unpleasant smell from your little furball’s mouth, making it easier to give in to their affectionate cuddles and kisses.

However, do note that cats’ mouth has bacteria which may be harmful to humans. So, to ensure their as well as your overall health while brushing the cats and teeth, it is important to wear gloves while doing so. 

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