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This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Ph.D. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and domestic animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. She worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years.
How Often Should I Brush My Cat
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How To Groom A Kitten: Brushing & Bathing Made Easy
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Brushing your cat’s teeth should be an important part of the grooming routine. Brushing your cat’s teeth with a special pet toothbrush and toothpaste removes plaque and bacteria that can build up in the mouth and adversely affect your pet’s oral and general health. It can be difficult to clean the teeth of an adult cat that is not used to this procedure. However, after a few practices, both you and your cat should get used to it. Do your best to brush your cat’s teeth every day (or at least once a week) to keep his teeth and gums healthy.
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Ph.D. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and domestic animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. She worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years. This article has been viewed 73,752 times.
The content of this article is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing or stopping any treatment.
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To clean your cat’s teeth, you’ll need a pet toothbrush with soft bristles and a pet-safe toothpaste. Before you brush your cat’s teeth, get her used to the toothpaste for a few days by letting her lick your fingers and the toothbrush. Also, let the cat examine the toothbrush every day for a few days to make it comfortable. Then, after a few days, wrap the cat in a towel if it is struggling and brush its teeth with a special brush and toothpaste. For more tips from our veterinary co-author, like how to clean your cat’s teeth without brushing, read on! Ah, the dreaded task of cleaning a cat’s teeth. When most cat parents think of sticking a cat’s toothbrush into their cat’s toothy muzzle, they probably envision deep, long scratches and sores on their hands.
“Brushing a cat’s teeth is not for the faint of heart,” says veterinarian and pet chiropractor Laurie Coger, DVM, of the Healthy Dog Workshop.
And while scratches can certainly happen — especially if you go about this essential part of your pet’s health the wrong way — with the right technique and tools, you can learn how to brush your cat’s teeth, make cleaning your home a pleasant experience for everyone, and help to easily maintain dental health.
Dental products for cats are specially designed to remove plaque, which is a buildup of food and bacteria that builds up on their teeth. If this plaque is not removed, it can lead to tartar, gingivitis, gingivitis and eventually periodontal disease – something you do not want your friend to develop!
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Before you brush your cat’s teeth, you’ll need to gather all your tools and supplies. low, we’ve created this handy shopping list for cleaning your cat’s teeth.
Because cats have small mouths and teeth, look for a small brush that’s cat-friendly, recommends Cape Gaddis, DVM, Ph.D. AVDC based at Indian Springs Animal Clinic in Pelham, Alabama.
You can find specialty cat toothbrushes with single heads, double heads, and even ones that fit on the tip of your little finger. Ph.D. Gaddis says some customers even used gauze, terry cloth and brushes that people use to apply makeup.
Pet toothpaste comes in flavors like poultry and fish that cats can’t resist. Toothpaste contains special enzymes that break down food and bacteria.
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Can you use human toothpaste on cats? Not. Don’t use human toothpaste on your feline friend because many brands contain fluoride, detergents, and artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which can be harmful to pets, says Dr. Gaddis.
You should also have some of your kitty’s favorite treats and toys on hand to reward them for a job well done.
If you’ve asked yourself, “Should I brush my cat’s teeth?” The answer is a resounding yes! Good dental hygiene will result in a healthy and happy cat. The first thing you’ll want to do is prepare yourself and set the stage for a positive experience, says Dr. Coger.
“Cats often hate having their mouths messed with,” she says. “So when brushing your cat’s teeth, it’s important to be organized and quick.”
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Once your cat is used to being handled in the mouth, it’s time to introduce her to the cat’s brush and toothpaste.
Once your cat accepts the first few teeth brushed, slowly increase the number of teeth you brush until you reach the last upper molars with the cat brush.
Definitely reward the cat with treats, toys or praise. This teaches them that brushing their teeth is a good thing – or at least worth tolerating in order to get some treats.
That wasn’t so bad, was it? The whole process will take time, so be patient and follow your cat’s pace. If you find that your cat refuses to cooperate with her during one of the steps, return to the training when she is comfortable and work with her again from there.
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Brushing daily or every other day is ideal, says Dr. Gaddis. This is because plaque takes about 48 to 72 hours to harden and calcify before it turns into a hard stone. Only a veterinarian skilled in feline dentistry can remove calculus.
Tartar irritates your pet’s gums and causes inflammation called gingivitis, which causes red gums and bad breath. When the area below the gum line becomes diseased, the supporting tissue around the cat’s teeth becomes weak and inflamed. If left untreated, it can cause soft tissue and tooth loss and bone damage.
“Satisfied with a quick brush,” says Dr. Coger, who believes it’s important not to forcefully brush your cat. “It’s not worth disrupting your relationship with the cat.”
It’s no secret that cats have problems with oral hygiene. Do not be scared! low, we’ve listed some expert tips and techniques that can help, courtesy of Dr. Coger and Gaddis.
Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth
Speaking of products other than toothbrush and toothpaste, consider giving your cat some of these options. They are not as effective as the mechanical action of a brush and paste, but they are better than nothing, says Dr. Gaddis:
As for brushing your cat’s teeth, make it a routine and stick to it. Your cat will enjoy the benefits of a healthy mouth, overall health and a longer life with its favorite human – you!. The question itself is an example of how we view cats through “dog-colored” glasses. Since it’s pretty well established that dogs should be bathed regularly, it’s usually assumed that cats do too. But the truth is, there’s simply no reason to bathe your cat.
In fact, cats can spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming themselves to cover themselves with their scent. So when you go in and give them a bath, you’re essentially erasing their ID — a Rav Cat staple and a source of serious mod. In addition, if you choose to bathe your cat regularly, you only develop a negative relationship with it
Hers. It can get to the point where even in moments when you innocently express your love to her, she doesn’t necessarily know that you won’t drag her into the tub, and she might become defensive against you. . Such an association is difficult to break.
How Often Should I Bathe My Cat?
Now that we’ve established the no-bathing rule, we want to point out that there are tub-free ways to proactively clean your cat, such as…
So, if you ever find yourself in any of the situational or breed-related “exceptions” above, we’ve got a few tips to make your trip to bathtub town a little less stressful for you and your cat.
You can see the full content when it comes to the million dollar question: “Should I bathe my cat?” in our video below. Although your cat is beautiful, it is much more than a pretty face. Not only do they have stunning coats, but they are biologically designed to take care of them.
Their rough tongues act like little brushes, removing dead hair and distributing oils throughout the coat. They are also smart enough
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