Question about Dental Care

allyally · 01-02-2005, 09:58 PM

I have a 3 year old male cat, maine coon mix. I really was wondering what the best way to introduce a cat to brushing teeth. Also, i was wondering what products/special brushes or anything else i could use to keep his teeth and gums healthy.

I should have started him when he was young but i didn't!

Thanks for anyone that can help

emma_pen · 01-03-2005, 05:39 AM

How is your cats character? Most laid back cats adjust to teeth brushing pretty well. Buy yourself a tube of cat toothpaste and see if he will lick some off your finger, so he gets used to the taste. Alternatively, you could start trying to rub something he likes on his teeth with your finger, to get him used to you touching his mouth.

I would not recommend those finger brushes though, I got my finger bitten down on HARD wearing one of those!

There are various treats and diets on the market allegedly promoting dental health, but the only one I would recommend is Hills t/d. My cats get it as a treat, though not often enough!

Ems x

coaster · 01-03-2005, 11:54 AM

try googling on "cat tooth brushing" or "brushing cat teeth"; there's lots of good articles. That's where I got info. Sorry, don't have time to look for and post links right now. Also, one more thing...it takes a lot longer to work into it than the articles lead you to believe.

Tim

spacemonkey · 01-03-2005, 01:06 PM

The only way to guarantee healthy teeth is to brush at least every other day, though every day is preferrable.

If you're looking for a treat or chew in between brushings, CET Chews are great! They're really the best ones out there (you can order them or get them through your vet)

Gudewife · 01-03-2005, 02:30 PM

Second on the CET chews. Assumpta is pretty much unbrushable and unpillable, unless she's being forcibly restrained. I suspect that someone tried to "cure" her biting problem by either holding down her tongue or wrenching her jaw around hard, because that is one of the few things that I haven't been able to get past with her. I'd rather not have that fight every day if I don't have to, as it's just really hard on her (and painful for me

). It's not that I haven't tried, mind you, I've tried long and hard...but she just has this really deeply held conviction that no human shall ever touch her mouth again. Even just pulling her lips up to check her teeth is dangerous. Vet visits are always fun.

So far, her teeth have been okay, I'm using the CET chews regularly because I simply can't get in there with a brush unless I towel-wrap her, have someone else hold her down, and stock up on sutures and sterile saline wash to fix myself afterward.

The key is to go slow, introduce gradually the idea of sticking something in your cat's mouth, and making it enjoyable for the cat by starting with soft cotton gauze soaked in something yummy like tuna juice...then gradually progressing to the toothpaste and brush.

DesnBaby · 01-03-2005, 10:10 PM

My Baby hates the the long toothbrush. I think the finger brushes are better. But still a lot of times she doesn't like getting her teeth brushed. So, I try & sit her down beside the sink & looking at the water from the tap just a tad bit. She seems to enjoy that part

.

coaster · 01-04-2005, 08:41 AM

I've been using the C.E.T. toothbrushes for a couple weeks. I couldn't buy them locally, so had to order them online and pay shipping, which made them pretty expensive, but they are easier to use than the toothbrush shaped like a tiny human toothbrush because it's easier to get inside the lips to the back teeth. Also, I think the bristles are softer. The only drawback is the very short handle.

Tim

http://petsupplies4less.com/sbsite.php? ... 8VR-CET303

BaileyAndSammi · 01-04-2005, 10:13 AM

If you want to use a toothbrush you should introduce it to her as a toy, this way she isn't scared of it when you try to stick it in her mouth. Put a little toothpaste on it and see if she'll lick it off. Also, when the brush is dry without any toothpaste on it, brush her cheeks with it. She'll think it's a good toy and she won't mind it being around after a while. Then not after too long you should be able to put it in her mouth. Start off with really short toothbrushing sessions. Put it in her mouth and move it around a little bit on each side, then remove it. Each time see if you can keep it in there longer. You don't need to brush her teeth as thoroughly as you would brush your own.
In a perfect world you could brush your cat's teeth everyday, but if that's not practical for you try to do it a couple times a week, or even once a week but substitute one brushing with a C.E.T. chew.

Hope my advice helped!

<3
Roze

allyally · 01-09-2005, 10:56 AM

Thanks guys

I will definately try the CET Chews and i am in the process of ordering him a brush. I couldn't decide which one to get so i went with the longer one because he likes to bite

Thanks for the advice on introducing it as a toy, i think that is a great idea and hopefully it will work. Thanks to all of you with advice for me!!

01-02-2005, 09:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
allyally Tom Cat Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: U.S. Posts: 370	Question about Dental Care I have a 3 year old male cat, maine coon mix. I really was wondering what the best way to introduce a cat to brushing teeth. Also, i was wondering what products/special brushes or anything else i could use to keep his teeth and gums healthy. I should have started him when he was young but i didn't! Thanks for anyone that can help __________________

01-04-2005, 10:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
BaileyAndSammi Cool Cat Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: oregon Posts: 1,279	If you want to use a toothbrush you should introduce it to her as a toy, this way she isn't scared of it when you try to stick it in her mouth. Put a little toothpaste on it and see if she'll lick it off. Also, when the brush is dry without any toothpaste on it, brush her cheeks with it. She'll think it's a good toy and she won't mind it being around after a while. Then not after too long you should be able to put it in her mouth. Start off with really short toothbrushing sessions. Put it in her mouth and move it around a little bit on each side, then remove it. Each time see if you can keep it in there longer. You don't need to brush her teeth as thoroughly as you would brush your own. In a perfect world you could brush your cat's teeth everyday, but if that's not practical for you try to do it a couple times a week, or even once a week but substitute one brushing with a C.E.T. chew. Hope my advice helped! <3 Roze __________________ <3 Roze [img]http://www.msnusers.com/_Secure/0UgCzzob3qIR9vCFVKUIq7F6Rdr8oOBoCjOVk7pjPQ4hRqME NsrQyZrDMIfs5mP4r1!lBfh20Fl8PE8F2Q!7sUddAOqjZOvpr tw3mtjqvX!Qa3cnrdfG2gTgGMc8YN/signaturecute.jpg[/img] meow*

01-09-2005, 10:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
allyally Tom Cat Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: U.S. Posts: 370	Thanks guys I will definately try the CET Chews and i am in the process of ordering him a brush. I couldn't decide which one to get so i went with the longer one because he likes to bite Thanks for the advice on introducing it as a toy, i think that is a great idea and hopefully it will work. Thanks to all of you with advice for me!! __________________

01-03-2005, 05:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
emma_pen Cat Addict Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,655	How is your cats character? Most laid back cats adjust to teeth brushing pretty well. Buy yourself a tube of cat toothpaste and see if he will lick some off your finger, so he gets used to the taste. Alternatively, you could start trying to rub something he likes on his teeth with your finger, to get him used to you touching his mouth. I would not recommend those finger brushes though, I got my finger bitten down on HARD wearing one of those! There are various treats and diets on the market allegedly promoting dental health, but the only one I would recommend is Hills t/d. My cats get it as a treat, though not often enough! Ems x

01-03-2005, 11:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
coaster Banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 17,798	try googling on "cat tooth brushing" or "brushing cat teeth"; there's lots of good articles. That's where I got info. Sorry, don't have time to look for and post links right now. Also, one more thing...it takes a lot longer to work into it than the articles lead you to believe. Tim

01-03-2005, 01:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
spacemonkey Premier Cat Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: southern Maine Posts: 3,623	The only way to guarantee healthy teeth is to brush at least every other day, though every day is preferrable. If you're looking for a treat or chew in between brushings, CET Chews are great! They're really the best ones out there (you can order them or get them through your vet)

01-03-2005, 02:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gudewife Cat Addict Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,159	Second on the CET chews. Assumpta is pretty much unbrushable and unpillable, unless she's being forcibly restrained. I suspect that someone tried to "cure" her biting problem by either holding down her tongue or wrenching her jaw around hard, because that is one of the few things that I haven't been able to get past with her. I'd rather not have that fight every day if I don't have to, as it's just really hard on her (and painful for me ). It's not that I haven't tried, mind you, I've tried long and hard...but she just has this really deeply held conviction that no human shall ever touch her mouth again. Even just pulling her lips up to check her teeth is dangerous. Vet visits are always fun. So far, her teeth have been okay, I'm using the CET chews regularly because I simply can't get in there with a brush unless I towel-wrap her, have someone else hold her down, and stock up on sutures and sterile saline wash to fix myself afterward. The key is to go slow, introduce gradually the idea of sticking something in your cat's mouth, and making it enjoyable for the cat by starting with soft cotton gauze soaked in something yummy like tuna juice...then gradually progressing to the toothpaste and brush.

01-03-2005, 10:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
DesnBaby Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 17,874	My Baby hates the the long toothbrush. I think the finger brushes are better. But still a lot of times she doesn't like getting her teeth brushed. So, I try & sit her down beside the sink & looking at the water from the tap just a tad bit. She seems to enjoy that part .

01-04-2005, 08:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
coaster Banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 17,798	I've been using the C.E.T. toothbrushes for a couple weeks. I couldn't buy them locally, so had to order them online and pay shipping, which made them pretty expensive, but they are easier to use than the toothbrush shaped like a tiny human toothbrush because it's easier to get inside the lips to the back teeth. Also, I think the bristles are softer. The only drawback is the very short handle. Tim http://petsupplies4less.com/sbsite.php? ... 8VR-CET303

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