Dental care is a necessary and important part of cat health. In a perfect world, cats would love to have their teeth brushed and cat dental care would be a snap. However, most full-grown cats aren't happy to have us to brush their teeth.
To get your cat comfortable with proper dental care, follow these quick tips:
Be sure to use a specially sized cat toothbrush and specially flavored cat toothpaste. There are finger brushes that slip over your finger and allow you to get closer access to the teeth.
Start with just one tooth, and work your way up to the entire mouth.
Make sure your cat is comfortable and at ease in your lap or on the bathroom counter before you begin to introduce your cat to brushing.
Ideally, you should brush once a day, but be mindful of your cat's tolerance. If twice a week is all that can be managed, start there and work on making dental care a daily routine.
Starting kittens in dental care early is one way to help make brushing easier. Another good tip: grab the tuna-flavored toothpastes that many pet stores now carry.
Brushing is important, but so are dental check-ups by your vet every year. Make sure a dental exam is part of your cat's yearly check-up, and that cleanings are done every year.
