Healthy teeth and gums makes for a healthy cat. Your vet will check your cat’s teeth during their annual checkup, but you can help prevent gum disease by brushing your cat’s teeth regularly.

Looking after your cat’s teeth

Tooth and gum problems occur in eight out of ten cats over the age of three. Establish a routine of brushing your cat's teeth as early as possible to keep your cat smiling.

Cats tend to accumulate plaque, food debris and bacteria, on the outside of their teeth, but not on the inside. This hardens to form tartar, irritating the gums and causing gingivitis and loss of teeth. The bacteria can even enter the bloodstream and damage the kidneys and other organs.

Danger signals

Signs of advanced gum disease include:

• bad breath
• reddened gums
• yellowish-brown tartar on teeth
• drooling

When gingivitis is severe, cats may even drop food from their mouths and lose weight because they are unable to eat. If this happens, your vet may recommend specialist dental care to remove any loose teeth and de-scale using ultra-sonic vibration. This gently removes plaque and tartar without damaging the surface of the teeth.

Brushing

Teach your cat to accept a daily brushing or wiping of its teeth.

First, wash your hands and pull back your cat’s lips. Use a soft brush or a rubber fingertip applicator, plus special pet toothpaste in flavours that your cat will find tasty, like malt or chicken. Never use toothpaste made for humans!

Apply the bristles to the teeth at a 45 degree angle, reaching both the tooth surface and just beneath the gum margin. Use small circular motions on the outside surfaces.

Start slowly and end on a positive note - be persistent but gentle.

If your cat is still very young, do not attempt to brush her teeth. You can still get her used to having her teeth touched from a very early age.

Dental care products

If your cat resists you handling their mouth, oral hygiene gels are available. These contain enzymes that inhibit the bacteria responsible for plaque formation. You can give them to your cat directly or mix them with food.

Dental chews are also available, as well as special dry food diets that contain fibre and exert a brushing action as your cat chews.

Maintaining good dental care is a crucial part of keeping your cat in optimum health. For more information on cat health take a look at our Healthy Cat Checklist.