Cats need strong and healthy teeth to chew food, catch prey, and defend themselves. As a cat owner, it is your duty to help your cat keep its teeth clean and have good oral health. Many cat owners are unaware that you can clean your cat’s teeth at home. No vet visits are necessary. Safety and lack of stress for the cat are key in this process. It is also important that you gauge the mood and temper of the cat. If the cat doesn’t want its teeth cleaned, don’t force it. This could cause injury to both you and the cat. However, to do this, make sure that you have the proper tools and techniques to accomplish the job. Your friends over at Saint N Mike have put together a few tips and tricks to make sure that your feline friends have pearly whites. To learn about more ways to care for your animal companions, visit us at our website.
Purchase The Right Tools
To properly clean your cat’s teeth you need the right tools for the job. Many people think you can brush your cat’s teeth with a standard toothbrush and toothpaste. This is only partially true. While you can use a standard toothbrush, do not use human toothpaste. To brush your cat’s teeth you need to use a special toothpaste for cats and dogs. These toothpastes are specially formulated for animals and come in flavors like chicken that are more appealing to your cat. Using a standard brush is fine, but many people like to use a fish-shaped brush or one that you can put on your finger. This makes it easier to maneuver around the cat’s mouth and get it as clean as possible.
Acquaint Them With The Toothpaste
Cats won’t usually take to things right away. You need to give them time to get acquainted with the toothpaste. If you start right away, the cat might be uncomfortable or get scared. To minimalize stress to your cat, you need to start by introducing toothpaste to the cat. Put the toothpaste on your finger and let them lick it. Do this for a few days on a schedule so they understand what it tastes like.
Acquaint Them With The Toothbrush
Much like the toothpaste, you need to introduce the concept of brushing to the cat. You do this essentially the same way as introducing them to toothpaste. Once your cat has gotten used to the toothpaste, put the toothpaste on the toothbrush and let them lick it off. Repeat this process until the cat is familiar with the brush. Next, gently lift your cat’s lips and place the brush on the teeth. Do not brush yet. Just place it on the teeth. Repeat this process daily until the cat is comfortable with the brush touching its teeth.
Fully Brush
Once the introduction to the paste and brush is complete, now it is time to start brushing. Assess the mood of the cat, and if the cat is in a good mood, begin brushing its teeth. Use one hand to lift their lips and the other hand to do the brushing. Go up and down to reach below the teeth and the gums. Brush their teeth full for around 2 minutes to ensure that your cat’s teeth are as healthy as possible.
Although the process of brushing your cat’s teeth can be tedious, it can be done cheaply and is worthwhile for the health of your cat. With the right equipment and a little bit of time, you can brush your cat’s teeth from home without visiting the vet. If your cat is comfortable with the process this can become part of your cat’s health routine. With these tips from Saint N Mike, you will have everything you need to make sure your cat is safe and comfortable while brushing its teeth. Visit their website to see more ways to care for your furry friends.