How to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth (and what to do if you can’t)
Last Updated on February 19, 2026 by Holly Anne Dustin
Did you say brush my cat’s teeth? I saw that incredulous look on many new cat guardians’ faces when I suggested toothpaste as one of the products to pick up for their new furbaby.
Yes, you can brush your cat’s teeth, and it’s one of the best ways to slow plaque and tartar. Still, some cats won’t tolerate it, even with patience. In that case, you’ll learn practical backups, like dental treats, water additives, and when a vet dental cleaning makes sense.
Brushing your Kitty’s teeth is so important. Dental disease is one of the most common health problems our furry friends experience. By the time they are 3 years old, 70 percent of cats have some type of gum disease. Because cats are so skilled at keeping their pain and illness a big secret we often don’t know there is a problem until it is advanced. It is important that our babies see the kitty dentist to sort out her oral problems.
But then what? Now that we know how important it is to keep her teeth healthy, what do we do?
Related Post: Common Cat Dental Diseases: Signs and Symptoms
Contents
Do I need to brush my cat’s teeth?
Many cat guardians are less than excited to hear that you are supposed to brush your cats’ teeth. But proper tooth brushing is crucial to keeping Kitty healthy. Think about what your dentist would say if you didn’t brush your teeth.
It will keep your wallet fatter in the long run, dental services are pricey. According to Nationwide Insurance, preventative dental work for pets costs an average $382. The costs go higher, potentially significantly higher, if your furbaby needs extractions. Nationwide’s average claim for dental surgery for a cat was $986 in 2021. My Treeno just had dental surgery and it cost $1200 for his cleaning and extractions.
The reason for the hefty price tag is because anesthesia is required. Don’t go to a clinic that offers anesthesia free cleanings or try to scrape tartar from your cat’s teeth by yourself using your fingernail or any sharp instrument. You could easily hurt your cat or damage her teeth and gums. These services can not see beneath the gum line to diagnose disease. Most cats would not tolerate this anyway. The stress and fear for Kitty is not worth the money you would save for a substandard service.
The best solution is to get your cats’ teeth cleaned and keep them that way with regular brushing at least 2-3 times a week.
Related Post: Regular tooth brushing, or the regular application of a dental spray, gel or foam, will be the foundation of a happy mouth for your furbaby and an important part of your at-home grooming routine.
How often do you need to brush your cat’s teeth
If your cat acts like the toothbrush is a personal insult, you’re not alone. Many guardians want to brush their cat’s teeth but get swatted, wriggled, or flat-out refused. Brushing a cat’s teeth sounds impossible until you see how short the process can be. You don’t have to brush Kitty’s teeth morning and night like you do your own (although if she’ll let you, it will be to her benefit.) A good brushing every 2-3 days and a dental cleaning at the vet every year or so will keep her chompers in good shape. Brushing your furbaby’s teeth need only take 30 seconds to a minute at a time.
How to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
You will have to acclimate your cat to having her head/mouth handled if she isn’t used to having her teeth brushed.
Training your feline friend to allow her teeth to be brushed from the time she’s a kitten will make dental care easiest. But if you are starting with an adult or older cat it is still possible to get him used to the process.
You can get a cat toothbrush, use a baby toothbrush or even a bit of a washcloth or cotton swabs.
Cornell Vet School recommends a 4 week process to get your furbaby used to having his teeth brushed.
- Week 1: Let Kitty get used to the flavor of the toothpaste. Make it a treat. No brushing involved. Just make it a pleasurable experience. Let him see and explore the brush but do nothing with it. Offer him the toothpaste. If he licks it, reward him. If he’s resistant, you can put a little on his paw or near his mouth where he will lick it off.
- Week 2: Put the paste on one of his canine teeth (fangs) with your finger or gauze. He’ll swish it around with his tongue.
- Week 3: Introduce the brush. Put the paste in his mouth using the brush, or whatever you are going to use instead.
- Week 4: Brush his teeth. Don’t make it stressful, don’t worry about scrubbing. Aim for the crevice where the tooth meets gum and get front and back. Don’t worry about the inside of the teeth.
Related Post: Click on this link to learn more about your kitty’s dental health and what happens if you don’t brush her teeth.
An easy way to brush your cat’s teeth
Establish a daily routine. Choose a time that is convenient to make sure brushing is done every day. Having this routine is also helpful for the cat.
Sit with kitty in your lap or in front of you facing away from you. If they back away from the toothbrush they will back into you instead of running away.
Gently tip her head up and use your thumb and forefinger to pull his lips open. Use your other hand to handle whatever tool you are using to apply the toothpaste. Start with just her canine teeth. Work your way back until you can brush her back teeth and gums. Don’t worry about trying to brush the inside of her teeth.
Try practicing by dipping your finger in chicken broth or tuna juice, or baby food, if she is initially unwilling to cooperate.
Is toothpaste bad for cats?
Yes. Don’t use toothpaste made for humans on your cat’s teeth. Toothpaste made for humans contains a lot of ingredients that are harmful to cats. For some reason, most toothpaste contains xylitol which is toxic for pets. It also contains foaming agents and isn’t designed to be swallowed.
Only use a toothpaste for cats that is okay to swallow. They also usually have an enzymatic formula, often meat flavored, to be appealing to our furballs. You want to choose something that has enzymes that are abrasive enough to clean teeth and remove tartar, calcium and silica to strengthen teeth and gums, and antibacterial ingredients to get of oral bacteria.
How to keep cats teeth clean without brushing
There are some alternatives that you can use if you have a cat that absolutely refuses to allow you to brush his teeth.
You can try sprays, gels and water additives. They have varying degrees of effectiveness. A chlorhexidrine rinse is the most effective. Cats may object to the taste. I personally have had good success with the Tropiclean line.
My personal favorite is plaque-off, a kelp based powder you add to their food. It’s not appropriate for every cat because of the iodine. If you have a cat with thyroid problems I would try something else first.
Best cat dental products buyers guide
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Toothbrush
Silicone Cat Toothbrush
Round brush cleans in whatever direction you can get it in Kitty’s mouth. East to keep clean as opposed to a bristle brush. Softer than the hard plastic on many pet brushes or baby brushes.
Microhead Toothbrush
Angled to fit in a cat’s mouth. Designed for cats. Smaller than most pet brushes.
Toothpastes
C..E..T. Enzymatic Toothpaste
One of the most popular and highly rated options on the market for an enzymatic toothpaste to keep Kitty’s mouth healthy.
Arm & Hammar Complete Care Toothpaste for Cats
Tuna flavored, enzymatic toothpaste freshens breath, cleans plaque, and reduces tartar. Comes with a toothbrush.
Gels/sprays/foams
Considered brushless toothpaste. Apply them the same as you would regular toothpaste.
Brushless toothpaste
Oratene Brushless Toothpaste Gel by Zymox. Good for cats with sensitive gums that can’t be brushed. Just apply with a swab or your finger. No need to brush. I’ll be using this with Treeno once his mouth heals up since it is the brand his vet recommends.
Oxyfresh Pet Toothpaste
Brushless toothpaste. No flavor additives. Advanced plaque and tartar control cat and dog toothpaste is the ultimate way to clean pets’ teeth, fight gum problems, and help soothe and strengthen their gums.
Water additives
Water additives mix with the water in your cat’s water bowl contain enzymes that break down plaque and clear up bad breath.
Oradent by Zymox
Enzymatic formula, containing no alcohol or chlorhexidine.
Oxyfresh water additive
Recommended by veterinarians, odorless or tasteless. Kitty won’t know it is there. Made in the USA
Tropiclean
Cost effective. I have used this with my cats with success. None of my cats are bothered by the addition of it to their water bowls. It seemed to make a difference for my elderly cat who refused to allow me to brush his teeth. He didn’t need a dental for several years despite his age.
Other Dental Care Opptions
Dental Wipes
This brand, or other similar products, are convenient for travel. I keep one in my show bag.
PlaqueOff Powder
My favorite brushless alternative. VOHC accepted. Add a pinch to Kitty’s food daily. Even my pickiest furbaby doesn’ t mind it as long as I mix it in.
Do you brush your Kitty’s teeth? I didn’t for a long time. What are your favorite dental products? Drop the name in the comments, I’m always looking for new best products.
Conclusion
Think of tooth brushing as training, not a one-time task, because cats learn through calm repeats; brush cat’s teeth only when the mood is good. Keep sessions short, use a gentle hold, and end on a positive note with play or a treat. If you can’t brush, use a layered approach (dental chews, oral gels, and routine vet exams) so plaque doesn’t get the upper hand. Your cat’s mouth matters, because comfort, appetite, and health start there.
