any success with tooth brushing?

Bix is having major tartar issues it appears, and needs a dental again although it's been less than a year since his last one (I saw his teeth, yeah, it looked as bad as the vet said, unfortunately). She suggested after a cleaning I can start brushing his teeth daily and hopefully that will avoid his needing dental again in another year.

I'm pretty sure I've seen some people around mention that they brush their cats' teeth..... any tips on how to go about it, what products to use, etc.? Is it like home-testing where almost any cat will come around to appreciating it, or is it something that only works for the easy-going cats? I'm having a hard time picturing it, but I can't afford regular dentals, nor do I want him going through anaesthesia (sp?) regularly like that.

Do any of those treats that are marketed as being dental chews, or whatever they're called, actually help? Are they sugar-cat friendly?

Thanks for any info!!!!

 

i'm not gonna be much help i'm sure but i just buy the little kit that has toothpaste and what looks like a thimble thing in it. i slip it over my finger, apply toothpaste and stick my finger in their mouths and brush back and forth. i have a couple very complacent kitties who could really care less, or they simply aren't ummmmmm......smart enough to realize they are supposed to bite me or run away or something, and then i have others who don't like it and fight me but i hang on for dear life and go for it. so far i haven't lost any appendages

do you do any raw feeding in your house by chance? i do chicken gizzards and legs from time to time as they require some gnawing and that seems to help with the kitties' teeth

 

LOL Cindy, tooth brushing time at your house seems like a hoot!!! Sounds easy enough (yeah, right) so I guess I can buy the stuff & give it a shot. I'm kind of scared of the raw food thing. nailbite_smile

 

after mochas dental the vet tried to show us how to brush her teeth .. and then she said, hmmm .. it was much easier when she was out! So she told us as long as she is getting some paste it is better then nothing .. so I started putting it on my finger, and then on the brush and she now comes running to lick it off there .. as soon as we try to brush her teeth its war .. and not worth it ...

 

I would recommend getting a tasty enzymatic toothpaste, it comes in chicken and fish flavor, it will keep working on the plaque long after you brush, it really does help and try just putting the paste on your finger for them to taste and learn to like first then once they think its a treat you can commence with the brushing, you can use a soft baby toothbrush or one especially for pets or a finger brush or even a dampened gauze pad over your finger will do the job.
I was a dental specialist for a vet clinic for many years so I have seen it all and a little brushing at home would have kept them out of my clutches!
I have ferrets now and oh my.............. kitties are a piece of cake to brush compared to these little tyrants.

 

One of my kitties recently got his teeth cleaned and the vet instructed us to start brushing his teeth at home. We use the thimble-type kind with a "poultry flavored" toothpaste (yum, eh?). He'll lick it off our fingers, but try and stick the thimble in his mouth and he begins thrashing about. If we smear some of the paste into the bristles he will sometimes gnaw on them to get to that yummy poultry goodness. It's not ideal, but certainly better than nothing. Best of luck!

 

I brushed my cat's teeth. I was prepared to fight with him to get his mouth open but surprisingly he just opened his mouth and let me brush his teeth. Wish I had known that before his first dental in which he had several bad teeth removed :roll: I used CET poultry flavoried toothpaste and the CET mini cat toothbrush. http://www.virbacvet.com/cet/

Here's a video of how to brush your cat's teeth: http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/pet/f ... hing_teeth

Most aren't. Like the Feline Greenies or Pounce Tartar Control which have a crunchy texture but are filled with high carb ingredients.

The CET dental chews look ok for a diabetic cat to have.

There are dental rinses and oral sprays and stuff but they aren't as effective as a good toothbrushing.

 

I've found this site to be very helpful http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/pet/fhc/brushing_teeth The video is really useful and the 4 step technique worked for us.

I like the small toothbrush they use in the video, but it's hard to find. You can get it here through amazon http://www.amazon.com/C-E-T-Toothbrush-for-Cats/dp/B000FUOD5I The one you put on your fingertip seems too big for cats.

 

wow, thanks everyone for all the great info! guess Mr. B. is in for a treat!!! ;-)