How to train kitty to accept teeth brushing

[lovetimesfour]

Someone asked for my method in another thread, but I thought I'd give it it's own thread rather than hi jack the other thread.

All my cats get their teeth "brushed" every night after their last meal of the night. It has made a huge difference in their dental health. I use c.e.t enzymatic veterinary paste. This is important because most pastes you see in pet stores are basically useless, you need to use an enzymatic paste, which means "breaks down bacteria" c.e.t is the only one I know of in the USA anyway.

Anyway here's how I trained my cats, and for some they took to it quickly, others required a lot more patience and time, weeks or months, but now it is two years later and they all accept it:


I started by, at the same time every night, just getting them used to me rubbing my finger lightly along their lip line, either side. Most cats like this any way. (if you are planning to use a brush, you might start this with the brush. I have always just used my finger)

While doing this, I was putting the c.e.t. toothpaste, poultry flavor on a paw for them to lick off, and get used to the taste. (they actually like it!)

This helps them associate the finger (or brush) rubbing along the mouth with the taste of the c.e.t.

Then, I started making the action more purposeful, putting them in the "holding position", which is: me on my knees, feet crossed behind me, cat between my knees facing out.

With cat in holding position, using a little more pressure which parts the lips, I'd be rubbing their teeth and gums instead of the lips, while they get used to me restraining them while doing it. After the action, again, putting a little paste on the paw.

Again, so now they are associating the action with the taste of the c.e.t.

From there, I put the c.e.t. toothpaste on my finger, hold them in position, and rub it into their teeth and gums.

This was a bit messy, so lately I've learned to use my other hand to kind of pry open the lips so I can make direct contact with the molars and gumline.

All this took time of course, but cats can get used to any sort of handling if it's done gradually and gently enough.

[spockally]

Thank you so much!!!! I have never brushed their teeth, so I will start using my finger first with the toothpaste on it. After they got used to my finger rubbing their teeth and gum, I will switch to brush. I hope they do not bite me May I know where you are buying the toothpaste? I got sample looking thing from the vet office. I wonder if online store sells it or cheaper at the vet office considering S&H? Thank you again for your help! I owe you our kitties' dental cost

[praline]

Brilliant!!!!!!!!

Is there any way you could make a youtube video of a demonstration? It would help me out a great deal to actually see this in action.

I brush my dog's teeth but Sasha flips whenever I do her teeth. We haven't tried the kittens yet but my daughter loves brushing Bentley's teeth and is planning on the same for her kittens. Its really cute because after she brushes her own teeth she brings Bentley in the bathroom to brush his... I think she "accidently" used her brother's toothbrush once but big brothers are a pain so I am sure he deserved it

I never thought of starting out the shaping by placing the paste on the paw..again BRILLIANT!

[lovetimesfour]

Making an instructional video is a great idea! Getting a little footage of how each cat reacts might be really helpful to people.

Okay, when I get it made, I will post it here but for now you can see this one of my baby girl getting her teeth brushed. She's my Burrower and I was just getting some video of her playing in the pillow case when it occurred to me to do her teeth and get it on video for entertainment purposes.

YouTube - ‪Queen Eva gets her teeth brushed.wmv‬‏

[Meezer_lover]

Anyone know if these are any good?

Amazon.com: C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for Cats, Fish-Flavored, 96 Chews: Kitchen & Dining

Amazon.com: C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for Cats, Fish-Flavored, 96 Chews: Kitchen & Dining

[lovetimesfour]

I know a vet tech who really likes to recommend to c.e.t. chews but have never tried them myself. They have good reviews, anyway, but wow they are expensive!

[CatsPride]

I think its just like the pet food they recommend,. I would be skeptic.

[spockally]

I watched the video. CUTE I appreciate if you can make another instructional video and I will love to watch your kitties being brushed. As far as the video you posted above, I do not need to brush the teeth really? On this video, it looks like that you kind apply the paste and then spread it over the teeth and gum area? Well, I will wait for your new video. THANK YOU!!!

[lovetimesfour]

Originally Posted by spockally

I watched the video. CUTE I appreciate if you can make another instructional video and I will love to watch your kitties being brushed. As far as the video you posted above, I do not need to brush the teeth really? On this video, it looks like that you kind apply the paste and then spread it over the teeth and gum area? Well, I will wait for your new video. THANK YOU!!!

Yes, I do not use a brush. It is not the scrubbing that is important, it is the enzymatic toothpaste making contact with teeth and gums. Just getting it into their mouths is beneficial. Direct contact with teeth and gums is better of course.

I'll work on one that shows more detail.

[Braxen]

The C.E.T. toothpaste is on sale at Amazon for $4.