Ultimate Guide to Cat Teeth Cleaning

This pet health content was written by veterinarians, Dr. Debora Lichtenberg, VMD, and Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS, with additional contributions from a registered veterinary technician, Cate Burnette, RVT. This article was originally published in 2012 and is regularly updated. It was last reviewed for accuracy and updated on June 12, 2024.

If you have questions or concerns, call your vet, who is best equipped to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.

The Importance of Cat Teeth Cleaning

As our cats live longer, dental care has become more crucial than ever. Dental diseases like calculus buildup and gingivitis are among the most common ailments in cats, often leading to systemic diseases when bacteria from a dirty mouth enter the bloodstream, potentially harming the heart or kidneys. It’s clear that our cats’ teeth require just as much care as our own.

Keeping your cat’s mouth and teeth healthy can be as simple as regular veterinary checkups and consistent cat teeth cleaning at home.

Effective At-Home Cat Teeth Cleaning

Applying human standards to pets’ oral care is now the norm in today’s veterinary world. Here are some essential tips for at-home cat teeth cleaning:

• Brush your cat’s teeth once per day.
• Get your cat a dental checkup at least once a year. Learn more about why regular dental checkups are crucial.

While this is the gold standard, many cat owners find it challenging. Research shows that only 2% of cats get their teeth brushed daily. You can improve on this by brushing your cat’s teeth 2 or 3 times per week and using additional products to reduce plaque buildup.

Daily Routine Tips:

• Brush once a day if possible.
• Incorporate brushing into a daily routine, such as after clearing away dinner dishes, to make it less likely to be skipped.

Regular brushing and professional checkups are key to maintaining your cat’s oral health.

How to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth

Supplies Needed

• Cat-friendly toothbrush: These brushes are typically smaller, softer, and more flexible than dog toothbrushes. You can also use a soft, rubber brush that fits over your first finger if that is more comfortable for you. Buy a cat-friendly toothbrush.
• Cat-friendly toothpaste: Cats love the taste of fish or chicken-flavored toothpaste, making it more palatable for them. Never use human toothpaste as it contains harmful chemicals.
• Gloves: Consider wearing gloves in case your nervous kitty tries to bite. Serious infections can result from cat bites.

Instructions for Brushing a Cat’s Teeth

• Get your cat comfortable: Hold your cat on a towel in your lap. It might help to have someone else hold the cat to keep it still.
• Introduce the toothpaste: Offer a dab of flavored cat-safe toothpaste on your finger for your cat to sample. Do not use human toothpaste as it is toxic to cats.
• Apply the toothpaste: Use a cat toothbrush or a fingerbrush. You can also use gauze or a soft cloth with the toothpaste. Initially, you can substitute the toothpaste with chicken broth or canned tuna water.
• Positioning: Tilt the cat’s head back about 45 degrees and gently lift the top lips to expose the gums and teeth. Do not pry the mouth open.
• Brushing technique: Use gentle, back-and-forth motions to clean the upper teeth, especially at the gum line. Focus on the outside surfaces where tartar builds up.
• Clean the molars and canines: Ensure to clean the back upper molars and canines where tartar tends to accumulate more.
• Brush the lower teeth: Hold the bottom lip and clean the sides of the lower teeth and gums.
• Duration: Brush for about 30 seconds per side.

Tips for Successful Cat Teeth Cleaning

Brushing your cat’s teeth is essential for maintaining their oral health. Here are some tips to ensure success:

• Start Early:
  • Begin toothbrushing and nail clipping with kittens as it’s easier than with older cats.
  • Have periodic sessions lifting the cat’s lips to get them used to you poking around their mouth.
  • Progress to once-a-week dental care to help prevent plaque and acclimate your kitten to the routine.
• Choose a Calm Time:
  • Ensure the environment is quiet and free from distractions, such as running children.
  • Your cat should be as comfortable and relaxed as possible.
• Designate a Well-Lit Area:
  • Adequate lighting is crucial to see what you’re doing clearly.
• Get into a Routine:
  • Keep pet-friendly toothpaste near the cat food or treats to remind yourself of this task.
  • Find a special reward to give your cat after each toothbrushing session.
• Try Different Methods:
  • If toothbrushing is too stressful, try using a finger brush, or apply a rinse or gel with your finger.
  • “Do not worry about brushing the tips or insides of the teeth unless your cat is very cooperative,” say Drs. Lorraine Hiscox, DVM, FAVD, Dip. AVDC, and Jan Bellows, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, ABVP. They explain that “most periodontal damage occurs on the outer surfaces of the teeth, and this is where you should direct your efforts.”

Following these tips will help make the process smoother and more effective in keeping your cat’s mouth healthy.

Pick up some helpful tips from this vet’s video on brushing cats’ teeth: 

How Often Should You Brush Your Cat’s Teeth?

Brushing your cat’s teeth once a day is the best way to keep their mouth disease-free. However, even brushing 2 or 3 times a week will significantly reduce bacteria buildup. Start brushing your kitten’s teeth early to acclimate them to the process and help prevent dental issues as they grow older.

What to Do If Your Cat Resists Toothbrushing

• Wrap in a Towel: If your cat resists sitting in your lap, try wrapping them in a towel like a burrito. Avoid this method if your cat is old or has health issues to prevent over-stressing them.
• Brush Incrementally: If wrapping is not an option, brush only 2 or 3 teeth per session until all teeth are cleaned, spreading the process over a few days.

Why Cats Can’t Use Human Toothpaste

Cats and dogs swallow toothpaste, making human toothpaste hazardous due to its fluoride content. Around 5–10 mg/kg of fluoride is fatal to a cat. For a 5 kg cat, 25 mg of fluoride can be deadly, and even a much lower dose can cause clinical illness.

Human toothpaste, with about 2.5 mg of fluoride per brush-load, poses a significant risk. Therefore, always use pet-specific toothpaste. Though more costly, pet toothpaste is scientifically formulated to be safe and effective for pets. Its appealing taste makes cats eager to incorporate teeth brushing into their routine.

Can I Brush My Cat’s Teeth with Plain Water?

Brushing with plain water has limited benefits as it only removes food debris. Without toothpaste, brushing may worsen the condition of infected gums by causing them to bleed and allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream. For effective oral care, always use pet-specific toothpaste.

Alternatives to Toothbrushing for Reducing Tartar Buildup in Cats

If toothbrushing isn’t feasible, there are other effective methods to help reduce tartar buildup in your cat:

• Water Additives: Products like cat::ESSENTIAL healthymouth can be added to your cat’s water dish to retard plaque, keeping periodontal disease and bad breath in check.
• Dental Diets: Specially formulated cat foods can help control plaque and tartar. Examples with the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval include Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d Feline and Royal Canine Feline Dental Diet. Check out the VOHC list for more choices. While dental diets won’t prevent dental disease entirely, they can slow its development, especially for cats with above-average plaque accumulation. Be cautious when starting a dental diet if your cat already has a bad mouth, as crunching on these foods could aggravate sore gums and help bacteria enter the bloodstream.
• Dental Cat Treats: These treats, such as Feline Greenies and Whiskas Dentabites, are a valuable aid to dental health. They are highly palatable and can be part of a comprehensive dental care plan.

Remember, your vet isn’t merely “pushing” dental procedures or products. The increasing emphasis on oral health stems from a better understanding of how to keep your cat’s mouth healthy. Many VOHC products are over-the-counter and do not require a vet’s prescription.

Brushing your cat’s teeth can significantly improve their health and happiness, but regular dental checkups and professional cleanings are still essential.

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Watch Out for This Sign of Trouble: Really Stinky Breath (Halitosis)

Halitosis, or bad breath, is often more than just an unpleasant smell—it’s a sign of disease. Periodontal disease, caused by plaque buildup and bacteria, is the primary reason for a cat’s bad breath. Occasionally, gastric odors or metabolic disease can also be culprits. Always discuss persistent bad breath with your vet.

Signs of Problems

The most obvious symptom of halitosis in a cat is bad breath that makes you turn away when your cat breathes on you. Other signs include:

• Pain when eating: This can make the cat cautious about eating, potentially leading to weight loss.
• Inflamed mouth: Cats may drool blood-tinged saliva if the mouth is very inflamed.
• Unkempt coat: Cats may be too sore to groom, resulting in a dull and matted coat.
• Smelly coat: If the cat does manage to groom, their coat may smell unpleasant due to spreading smelly saliva.
• Unusual behaviors: Some cats might gulp a lot or cough.

Possible Causes of Bad Breath in Cats

• Dental calculus: Soft, sticky foods build up on the teeth and become mineralized by phosphate and calcium in saliva, forming tartar. This pushes on the gums, causing inflammation and a bad smell.
• Gingivitis or stomatitis: Inflammation of the gums or mouth can occur anywhere along the gum line. This complex condition has many causes, such as a suppressed immune system, viral infection, or dirty teeth. Learn more about gingivitis and stomatitis.
• Oral cancer: Rapidly growing, ulcerated, and infected lumps can lead to a bad smell.
• Tongue lacerations or ulcers: Cats may cut their tongues on tin cans, leading to infection. Fortunately, these usually respond well to a little TLC, a soft diet, and antibiotics.
• Oral foreign body: The most common is a grass blade, which can get lodged in the back of the throat and trap food. Read more about the dangers of oral foreign bodies.

Diagnosis

A vet can usually identify the cause of bad breath after a thorough mouth inspection. If the mouth is very painful, a general anesthetic may be necessary for a full exam. This also allows for further investigation, such as dental X-rays or a biopsy of any suspicious lumps.

Treating a Cat with Halitosis

A course of antibiotics effective against common mouth bacteria can help eliminate the smell. However, thorough investigation and treatment of underlying problems, such as removing grass blades, cleaning teeth, or treating gingivitis or stomatitis, may be necessary.

Prevention

Good oral hygiene is crucial for reducing the chances of dental disease and gingivitis. The gold standard is daily tooth brushing. If your cat resists this, try feeding kibble with teeth-cleaning properties. Keep these points in mind:

1. Dental care at home is prevention, not treatment.
2. Brushing diseased teeth and gums can be painful and ineffective. Treat the disease first.
3. Applying toothpaste or gels on top of plaque is not effective. Proper cleaning is necessary before applying these products.

Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings are essential for maintaining your cat’s oral health.

What to Expect During a Cat Dental Exam

Here’s a quick overview of what will happen during your cat’s dental exam:

• Blood Screen: Your vet may request a blood screen to detect any signs of systemic organ problems before placing the cat under anesthesia, especially if your cat is a senior or has other diagnosed illnesses.
• Anesthesia and X-rays: After the cat is anesthetized, a veterinary technician takes X-rays of the teeth to check for any pockets or abscesses around the tooth roots and to look for any bone deterioration.
• Plaque Removal: The vet tech uses a high-powered, ultrasonic water pick to scrape the teeth free of any plaque. The water pick vibrates at a high speed, breaking up and removing hard calculus formed on the teeth. The technician then scrapes and probes underneath the gum line, looking for any deep pockets of infection.
• Tooth Extraction: If any teeth need to be pulled due to breakage or loose roots, the vet performs this part of the procedure. The vet may also inject any necessary antibiotics into the gum cavity and suture any large holes closed if they are too large to heal on their own.
• Polishing and Disinfecting: Once your cat’s teeth are polished and the mouth is rinsed with a disinfectant wash, the cat is allowed to awaken from the anesthesia. You should be able to take them home the same day.
• Post-Procedure Care: Typically, the vet prescribes antibiotics to clear up any remaining bacterial infection.

For a detailed walkthrough, be sure to see our expert guide to pet dental exams, where we walk you through the initial oral exam, the subsequent dental procedure (if required), and caring for your cat once you get back home.

Final Thoughts on Taking Good Care of Your Cat’s Teeth

Veterinarians are seeing significant improvements not only in patients’ mouths but also in our own cats as well. To ensure your cat’s dental health, follow these final thoughts on cat teeth cleaning:

• Commit to a Routine: Determine what you are willing to do at home for cat teeth cleaning and stick to that commitment. If brushing is only occasional, find other tartar control products that your cat likes.
• Consistency Matters: Consider your own 6-month checkup with your dental hygienist. Just as your hygienist can tell if you haven’t flossed, your vet can tell if your cat’s dental care has been neglected.

Remember, consistent cat teeth cleaning is key to keeping your cat’s mouth healthy. Good luck with your pet dental endeavors, and thank you for being a responsible pet parent!

References

• “Pet Dental Care.” American Veterinary Medical Association. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/pet-dental-care.
• Hiscox, Lorraine, DVM, FAVD, Dip. AVDC, and Jan Bellows, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, ABVP. “Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth.” VCA Hospitals. 2020. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/brushing-teeth-in-cats.
• “Cat Dental Care: How Do I Brush My Cat’s Teeth?” Banfield Pet Hospital. https://www.banfield.com/pet-healthcare/additional-resources/article-library/dental/do-i-need-to-brush-my-cat-s-teeth.
• Blakley, Barry R., DVM, PhD. “Overview of Fluoride Poisoning (Fluorosis).” Merck Veterinary Manual. December 2013. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/fluoride-poisoning/overview-of-fluoride-poisoning.
• Myers, Wendy S. “7 Phrases That Can Kill Dental Compliance.” Veterinary Practice News. May 17, 2016. https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/7-phrases-that-can-kill-dental-compliance/.
• “VOHC Accepted Products for Cats.” Veterinary Oral Health Council. March 2020. http://www.vohc.org/VOHCAcceptedProductsTable_Cats.pdf.
• Withrow, Stephen, DVM, DACVS, DACVIM, et al. Withrow and MacEwen’s Small Animal Clinical Oncology, 5th edition. Saunders. 2012.
• Wills, Josephine, and Alice Wolf, eds. Handbook of Feline Medicine. Pergamon Press. 1993.
• Gorrel, Cecilia, Vet MB, DDS, MRCVS, Hon FAVD, Dipl EVDC. “Periodontal Disease and Diet in Domestic Pets.” Journal of Nutrition 128, no. 12 (December 1998): 2712S–2714S. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9868248/.
• Holmstrom, Steven, DVM. Veterinary Dentistry: A Team Approach, 3rd edition. Saunders. 2019.