Cat Teeth Cleaning: Do or Don’t? |Litter-Robot

A teeth cleaning is one of the easiest ways to help keep your cat healthy—if you go about it the right way. Chances are, when you adopted your kitten, you were told to practice oral hygiene care: teeth brushing, water additives, and dental chews or treats. Who knew that it was recommended to brush a cat's teeth? A daunting-sounding task, to say the least!

For many pet parents, cat teeth cleaning tends to fall into the same category as cat baths: a good idea in theory, but a clawing, hissing disaster in reality. Most cats simply won’t tolerate having their mouth manipulated, let alone their teeth brushed or otherwise inspected at home.

Just because the task of cat teeth cleaning seems nearly impossible doesn’t mean it’s not an important consideration in your cat’s overall health. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of cleaning your cat’s teeth and how to go about getting it done!

Why it’s important to clean your cat’s teeth

Dental health is a huge component in overall general health for humans and animals alike. Various cats (and sometimes specific cat breeds) are more prone to developing periodontal disease like severe gingivitis, the chronic inflammation of the gums that worsens over time. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to painful dental disease such as tooth resorption, which is a process where the body breaks down tissues surrounding the tooth and absorbs, eventually including the tooth itself. Not taking care of your cat’s teeth can also result in tooth decay, infection, and inflammation in the mouth. All of which can be extremely painful for your cat. The moral of the story is that regular teeth cleaning is necessary. During these cleanings, it may be determined that procedures such as tooth extractions, root canals, or mass removals are recommended.

Signs of feline gum disease

While your veterinarian will assess your cat’s oral health at their annual visit, this isn’t the only time someone should be paying attention to your cat’s oral health. A great time to try to look into your cat’s mouth is while they’re eating: you can usually see their teeth and do not have to make any physical contact. Keep an eye out for the following signs and symptoms of feline gum disease:

Bad breath
Angry, red gums (gingivitis)
Bleeding (from the mouth or nose), sometimes spontaneously
Drooling
Difficulty eating
Eating on one side of the mouth or moving food around in the mouth
Lack of appetite
Mild swelling of the face
Loose or missing teeth
Looking unkempt or failing to groom

If you have ever had a bad toothache, you know how all-consuming the pain can be. If you notice any of the above signs in your cat, get to your vet immediately. Cat teeth cleaning may need to become a more frequent part of your routine. Or, in more progressive cases, your cat may need some teeth extracted from time to time.

How to maintain oral health at home

It may seem tricky, but daily dental care will help prevent and reduce periodontal disease and other dental-related or health issues your cat might experience. If you have your cat from the kitten stage, you should start daily brushing exercises to acclimate them to the process and get them into a rhythm. If they become used to the act, it makes it much easier to keep up with.

Trying to get an adopted senior or adult cat to enjoy at-home dental cleanings may prove to be more difficult. Often, cats at this stage that are just coming into a home or going to a new home have not experienced getting their teeth brushed. It could take more time and effort to get your cat comfortable with your finger in their mouth, but in some cases, it is possible. Taking it slow and recognizing when enough is enough is very important.

Simpler solutions to practicing good oral hygiene at home include providing your cat with chew toys, a healthy diet of both wet and dry food, water additives, and dental treats. (Wet cat food is more hydrating, while dental treats are better for teeth)

Other dental products that might prove helpful are:

Water additives: VOHC-approved additives can help reduce tartar build-up.
Dental chews: While these tend to be more popular for dogs, some cats might enjoy them.
Dental gel on toys: Again, this is more typical for dogs; but you can try to add a touch of cat-specific dental gel to their favorite toy to chew on.

Please be advised: While helpful, these products aren’t enough by themselves—they’re merely part of a larger care plan and cannot replace brushing and professional vet care.

Brushing your cat’s teeth

How do you brush your cat's teeth? Here are some tips on brushing your cat’s teeth at home:

Purchase a basic feline oral hygiene kit: this should contain a small cat-specific toothbrush, cat-specific pet toothpaste, some cotton swabs, and possibly some salt and water. WARNING: Never use human toothpaste, as this can pose serious health risks.
First, get your cat used to the idea of having their teeth touched: Use a finger or a cotton swab to gently press on your cat’s teeth and gums to ease into this.
After a few times with only touch, introduce a small amount of cat toothpaste onto your cat’s lips. Now they can begin to adjust to the taste.
Next, incorporate the cat-specific toothbrush. It may even be designed to slip over your finger to facilitate use and help stimulate your cat’s gums. WARNING: Pet parents who opt for a finger brush should be relatively certain their cat won’t bite.
Finally, use a bit of toothpaste with the toothbrush. Give your cat a gentle yet thorough brushing.
Don’t forget to use lots of praise and take breaks if your cat becomes irritated. You don’t want to scar them by using dental hygiene equipment, so follow their lead and allow them to adjust to the action.

Dental cleanings at a veterinarian’s office

What does your veterinarian do in the office that you cannot do at home? In short, they have general anesthesia. Your veterinarian will check your cat’s oral health during annual visits, but they will likely also recommend your cat have a dental cleaning under anesthesia every year, depending on their age and overall health. Vets agree that, for many felines, the only way to pull off a true cat teeth cleaning is with a little help from general anesthesia. This makes the process go much smoother and can allow the vet to get into those hard-to-reach places.

Anesthesia is quite safe for most cats, barring those with certain medical conditions like hyperthyroidism (which your vet will note). Beyond teeth cleanings, your cat will also need to be anesthetized for dental X-rays and, if necessary, polishing and removal of diseased teeth.

Depending on what plan you have, dental cleanings may be covered by your pet’s insurance. While it may cost more to include this service in your plan, your cat’s mouth could be much healthier as a result.

When do cats need professional dental cleanings?

Yearly dental cleanings are for cats what twice-a-year dental cleanings are for humans. Professional cleanings are necessary. During a routine check-up, your cat might show signs of dental decay and gum disease that raise concerns from your vet. The best thing you can do is agree to a professional cleaning to ensure your cat gets the best care.

If there is a chance of an emerging dental issue, your veterinarian will want to act fast to come up with a solution. They may also recommend that your cat seek care with a dental specialist if the suspected dental disease is severe. Otherwise, your vet might recommend cleanings that are more spread out, depending on a few different factors:

Age
Lifestyle
Genetics
Diet and nutrition
Other health conditions

If you ever have any concerns about your cat’s dental health, it’s best to reach out to your veterinarian and set up an appointment.

How much does cat dental care cost?

Cat dental care can vary in cost. Depending on the procedure or work that is being done, it can range from $50 to $3,000. The more work that needs to be done, namely more teeth that need to be extracted, the higher the cost of the care.

You can always talk to your vet to get an estimate before going through with the care, or work with them to figure out a payment plan if they offer that. There are also services like CareCredit that are another option to finance veterinary medical bills if your vet’s office does not offer payment plans.

Stay updated on your cat’s health

It is imperative that all aspects of your cat’s life are being taken care of. From eating a healthy diet and exercising daily to having a self-cleaning litter box to keep their space tidy and fresh, your cat deserves the best care possible. Ensuring that your cat has plenty of toys that won’t hurt their teeth can make their dental journey less daunting!

Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Don’t wait for something to become more serious than it already is. When it comes to dental health, your cat needs preventative care in order to maintain a healthy mouth. You’ll notice the difference if you start practicing early on your cat; so find a feline toothbrush and a reason to smile brightly!

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