by: Dr. Alycia Washington, DVM 11.07.24

Vetted: How to Care for Your Cat’s Teeth

Introduction

Your cat’s dental health is important. Research suggests that anywhere from 50% to 70% of cats have some degree of dental disease by the time they’re four years old. Regular dental care and monitoring can help keep your cat’s teeth clean and healthy.

Dental disease stinks

Dental care is an often overlooked part of pet care, but it can have a huge impact on your cat’s quality of life. Lack of proper dental care can have serious health impacts, cause severe discomfort, and be expensive to address.

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is an infection and inflammation of the soft tissues around the teeth and is very common in cats. Untreated periodontal disease in cats can lead to pain, tooth root abscesses, and tooth loss. Bacteria from dental infections are also believed to contribute to kidney disease, heart disease, and blood vessel inflammation.

Signs of dental disease in cats include:

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Reluctance to eat
• Dropping food
• Excessive drooling
• Facial swelling
• Red, swollen gums
• Blood in the water dish

Dental care for your cat

Taking care of your cat’s teeth requires a combination of professional and at-home care. Your vet should examine your cat’s teeth at least once a year. Annual professional teeth cleanings are recommended for most cats. Keep in mind that dental radiographs and professional dental cleanings are performed under anesthesia. This allows your vet to determine the health of the tooth roots and perform deep cleaning under the gumline where bacteria and mouth funk like to hide.

How to take care of your cat’s teeth at home

Brushing is by far the best thing you can do to take care of your cat’s teeth at home. Ideally, you should brush your cat’s teeth daily, but even brushing two or three times a week can make a huge difference.

Here’s how to brush your cat’s teeth:

• Learn how to look at your cat’s teeth
  Start by lifting your cat’s lips to get a peek at the most accessible teeth: their canines (the big fangs) and incisors (the cute, tiny teeth in front). Once you’ve gotten the hang of that, practice lifting their lip from the side to expose the cheek teeth. If your cat gets wiggly, try having them sit with their back toward you or grab a buddy if one is available to help.

Reward your cat with treats for being tolerant. The ability to check out your cat’s mouth at home is a valuable skill and can help you spot issues that need veterinary attention like ulcers, broken teeth, or discolored teeth or gums.

• Make sure you have the right tools
  Use a cat-safe toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste to brush your cat’s teeth; as human toothpastes often contain fluoride, baking soda, or other ingredients that are harmful to cats. Stick with feline-friendly toothpastes that come in yummy flavors that cats may actually enjoy.

Get a toothbrush small enough for your cat’s mouth — either a cat-specific or baby toothbrush. Use a toothbrush with a handle and avoid over-the-finger toothbrushes, especially if this experience is new to you or your cat. A tooth can easily go through the silicone brush and into your finger.

You’ll also need a few treats and lots of patience.

• Introduce the toothpaste and toothbrush
  Let your cat lick a small amount of toothpaste off your finger, or place a small dollop on their nose and let them lick it off. Try to find a toothpaste that your cat finds tasty to help make dental care more enjoyable. Next, let your cat lick some toothpaste off their toothbrush to help get them used to the feel of the bristles.
• Slowly introduce toothbrushing
  Lift your cat’s lips and gently brush the canines and incisors (the easiest teeth to reach). Start with just a few strokes and reward your cat with treats and affection. Slowly work your way up to including the cheek teeth. This may take days or weeks. Be patient and try to minimize your cat’s stress as much as possible.

Alternatives to toothbrushing

So, you tried brushing your cat’s teeth. Like, really tried. And it was a disaster. Your cat was absolutely not having it.

That’s okay. At-home dental care can take many forms. The most important thing is to not ignore your cat’s oral health. Toothbrushing is the “gold standard” of at-home dental care, but it’s not the only option. Alternative, more hands-off products that you can incorporate into your cat care routine include:

• Dental treats
• Water additives
• Gels and sprays
• Dental wipes
• Dental diets

When searching for alternative products, ask your veterinarian for recommendations or look for products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). A VOHC stamp of approval means that a product has been shown to be effective against plaque and/or tartar buildup.

Frequently asked questions

• Why does my cat have bad breath?
  Bad breath can be a sign of periodontal disease or other oral issues. Bad breath can also be a sign of systemic illnesses like diabetes, kidney disease, or gastrointestinal obstruction. Don’t ignore your cat’s bad breath, especially if it appears suddenly.
• Can I use dental treats instead of brushing my cat’s teeth?
  Toothbrushing is the most effective method, but dental treats can also reduce plaque and tartar buildup in cats. However, treats only work if your cat actually chews them, so they’re not ideal for cats that like to gulp down snacks. Treats should also make up no more than 10 percent of your cat’s daily calorie intake.
• How often should my cat get professional teeth cleanings?
  In general, cats should have a professional teeth cleaning once a year. Your vet may recommend a different frequency depending on your cat’s age, breed, and medical history.