Does your cat’s breath smell like an abandoned fish market?
Or do you have a hard time brushing your cat’s teeth?
Or want to learn how to prevent periodontal disease?
I am a concerned cat owner like you and today I am going to go over a cat’s dental health
and show you how to brush your cat’s teeth for the first time.
I am the Cat Butler.
Welcome to our channel where we try to help you become the best cat owner.
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Step one is to have a mindset of committing to brushing your cat’s teeth daily.
Brushing your cat’s teeth is not easy and is the single most cost effective way to healthy
teeth for your cat.
A cat’s teeth should be brushed everyday in order to effectively reduce plaque and
tartar buildup.
If you are unable to brush your cat’s teeth on a regular basis, it loses its effectiveness.
For example plaque builds up and hardens after just a few days into tartar.
If left untreated a cat can develop periodontal disease, which weakens the gum tissue around
the teeth and can lead to costly tooth extractions for your cat.
In addition to brushing your cat’s teeth it is important to do annual dental exams
with the vet to see if your cat is due for a professional teeth cleaning.
Even brushing your cat’s teeth daily, some tartar may still accumulate on your cat’s
teeth and below the gums.
A professional teeth cleaning under anesthesia will allow the vet to thoroughly remove tartar
above and below the gum line in your cat.
As you can see keeping your cat’s teeth healthy is a commitment, but your hard work
will pay off as your cat keeps their teeth and you avoid costly tooth extraction bills.
Step 2 is to buy a toothbrush and toothpaste made specifically for cats.
Cats have a small mouth and a smaller brush would give you better control as you remove
food particles and plaque from your cat’s teeth.
I use a toothbrush made by Kittyteeth.
The toothbrush is made out of high quality materials and is designed for a cat’s smaller
oral cavities, and sensitive gums.
Arya! You really dislike the toothbrush
Kittyteeth is much better than the more common Vibrac toothbrush.
I find the Vibrac toothbrush to be too big, and made with low quality materials.
The toothbrush usually needs to be thrown out after just a few brushing sessions.
You can also use a finger toothbrush, which is designed to fit over the tip of your finger
if your cat refuses to use a bristle toothbrush, but eventually you should transition to a
bristle toothbrush as it is more effective in removing plaque.
Now for the toothpaste it is recommended to use a pet toothpaste.
Usually pet toothpastes come in different flavors like chicken and beef.
Human toothpastes should not be used because they contain ingredients that should not be
swallowed and can make your cat ill.
Step 3 is Observational Learning
Observational learning describes the process of learning by watching others.
Some say that the term copycat originated from observing kittens that learn by imitating
the behaviour of their mother.
I was able to test the validity of observational learning in my previous video to get my cats
used to water.
In that video I let my cats watch me shower everyday and it helped reduce their anxiety
towards water.
So I applied the same concept by letting my cats watch me brush my teeth everyday.
Teemo are you going to let me brush my teeth!
Step 4 is to gradually ease your cat into accepting the toothbrush and toothpaste.
Start by placing toothpaste on the toothbrush and just placing it in front of your cat.
Your cat may slowly warm up to it and lick the toothpaste off the toothbrush.
We want the cat to experience a positive toothbrushing experience.
Once your cat is comfortable you can introduce the toothbrush to your cat.
Touch it to your cat’s face, put it under the lips, and gently work it around till your
cat feels comfortable.
It is important not to rush your cat. Patience is key!
Step 5 is to start brushing your cat’s teeth!
The goal is to brush all of the outside surfaces of your cat’s teeth once a day.
It may take several weeks for your cat to become comfortable.
It is important to be consistent with your routine and to keep this a positive experience
for you and your cat.
Use a circular motion and focus on your cat’s gum line.
You can start with the incisor teeth.
Canine Teeth And then the molars.
They could be the most difficult to brush, but where plaque and tartar accumulate most
quickly.
Do not worry about brushing the tips or insides of the teeth unless your cat is very cooperative.
Most periodontal damage occurs on the outer surfaces of the teeth and around the roots
and this is where you should direct your efforts.
The cat's abrasive tongue tends to remove plaque from the inner surfaces of the teeth,
reducing the need for brushing these surfaces.
Gradually work up to brushing all of the teeth, this will probably take several days or weeks
Make sure you reach the big teeth at the back of the mouth.
Try to brush for approximately 30 seconds per side.
It should take about 3 minutes to brush your cat’s teeth.
With patience, commitment, and persistence you can successfully brush your cat’s teeth.
If you thought this video was helpful please consider subscribing and giving it a like.
I love to hear about how you brush your cat’s teeth in the comments below.