http://www.care2.com/greenliving/cat-teeth-cleaning-tricks.html
Cat Teeth-Cleaning Tricks
With a little time and patience you can brush your cat’s teeth at home. “Cats have the same dental issues as dogs, although they can also develop cavity-like gum erosions, which are extremely painful and practically dissolve the teeth,” says Tiffany Margolin, DVM, an integrative veterinarian in Westlake Village, California. Training your cat to tolerate having his teeth brushed is similar to teaching a dog–but be careful. Even minor cat bites can easily become infected, causing fever and severe illness. If your cat resists having your finger in his mouth, talk to your vet about using brushless dental care products instead.
To brush a cat’s teeth:
• Entice your cat to come to you by offering a food treat.
• Dip your finger in a liquid your cat likes, such as chicken broth or tuna water, and let him lick your finger, getting him used to having your finger in his mouth.
• Once he’s used to that, dip your finger in the same liquid and slowly rub his gums and teeth.
• When that seems agreeable, substitute a small piece of gauze or a pet toothbrush for your finger.
• Finally, brush the exteriors of a few teeth, adding a few more each time you brush.
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13 comments
add your comment »Judy, thanks for the tip! I think my diabetic cat would allow me to use a brush. He already lost some teeth, so he really needs his remaining teeth to be brushed.
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I had a hard enough time inspecting my cat's teeth and gums (poor old thing has lost a good majority of teeth on his left side..worrisome but I'll just need to baby him a bit more than I already do). I don't think he'll allow me to brush his remaining teeth. I'll have to remember though when I do get another cat someday to start training it to allow me to brush its teeth as soon as possible.
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I don't know how my cat would take this...
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My husband and I are very quiet, laid back people and our cats seem to have picked up our personalities. I can brush the teeth of all three cats with no problems. I even "scale" their teeth when needed and have managed to avoid any dental procedures for our three "low teen" kitties. There is no problem testing and administering insulin to our diabetic boy, either, he is just great.
Cats respond the best to a quiet, serene atmosphere and gentle touch. Noise, chaos, unpredictable fast movements and rough handling are enemies to many cats and can make them nervous and hostile.
It's best to start gentle handling early, but all three of our cats are rescues, two adopted when they were adults, and they still responded well. Approach is important because it can affect all future attempts to treat kitties when needed. They never forget a nervous, impatient or tense treatment session and for a long time will associate a botched attempt with something terrible. It can take a long time to earn their trust again. It pays dividends to get started on the right foot!
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Cindy, your vet should be shot for gross incompetence. Tea tree oil is poisonous to cats. Even the scent of it is a danger to them. The toxins build up in a cat's liver and eventually cause cancer. Some cats react more immediately and die faster. Please stop using tea tree oil on your cats, and find a more savvy vet.
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i really doubt that how my sheeni is going to react to this exercise.
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Well, stick MY finger in my cat's mouth? I've already seen what almost happened to the vet with my cat Larry. I never heard jaws close like that, sort reminded me a an alligator clamping down on its prey...My 4 cats have great teeth and for treats they get the only non-organic food I offer them, tartar control treats. They love the treats and it's how I get them back inside after playing outside. I shake the bottle, yell TREEEAAAATS! and they all come running to get their less invasive teeth cleanings...
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I think it's wonderful to advise people how they may clean their cat's teeth, provided the cat allows it.
Just keep in mind that cats have been domesticated about 5000-6000 years LESS than dogs have been. Dogs are more used to that sort of thing. If your cat doesn't allow it, it's not your fault. Your cat still has 5000-6000 years more feral-ness than your dog. This is still a relatively new process for them.
Exceptions to the rule: Those of us with wild dog bred into our breeds (eg. Australian Cattle Dog or anything with dingo or jackal or coyote or wolf in it). *sigh* there are ALWAYS exceptions to the rule.
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Thanks for the input. My cat hates it when I try to give her meds, check her teeth, or get anywhere near her mouth.
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This sounds like a suicide mission to me. I have enough scars from trying to trim her claws.
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