Do cats need their teeth brushed? What every cat owner should know

Cats clean themselves, so it is easy to assume their teeth look after themselves too. They do not. A cat's mouth builds plaque the same way a dog's does, hardens it into tartar on the same timetable, and the cat tells you nothing about it until it stops eating. Yes, cats need their teeth brushed. Here is what that realistically looks like.

What a cat's mouth is like

Adult cats have 30 teeth: small incisors at the front, four long canines, and premolars and molars at the back that shear rather than grind. The upper back teeth sit close to the cheek and are where plaque collects first. Cats also have a habit of chewing on one side, which means one side of the mouth can be a good deal worse than the other without you noticing.

Why cats hide it

A cat in discomfort does not limp or whine; it eats a little less, chooses soft food, grooms less, or becomes quieter. Mouth pain in cats is usually found at a vet check rather than reported by the owner, which is why a weekly look and a daily brush matter more for cats than for almost any other pet.

Signs worth a vet visit

• Breath that smells bad every day.
• Red or bleeding gums, or a brown crust on the back teeth.
• Drooling, dropping food, chewing on one side or pawing at the mouth.
• Going off dry food but still eating wet food.
• Less grooming, a scruffier coat, or weight loss.
• A tooth that looks chipped, discoloured or loose.

Home brushing keeps a healthy mouth clean. It cannot shift tartar that has set, and Petdentist® products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition. A cat with any sign on this list should see the vet first and start the home routine on a clean mouth afterwards.

What home care for a cat looks like

Daily brushing of the outer surfaces of the back teeth with a pet toothpaste, in sessions measured in seconds, from a lap position with the cat facing away from you. Most cats accept it within two to four weeks if you spend the first week on taste alone. Our step-by-step guide to brushing a cat's teeth without a fight covers each week.

The right tools for a cat

A brush with a small, soft head: our bamboo charcoal toothbrush was designed with cats and small dogs in mind and stands up on its own to dry. A pet toothpaste made to be swallowed, in a flavour cats accept: Petsmile Say Cheese or Rotisserie Chicken are the two we suggest first. Never a human toothpaste, which contains ingredients that are meant to be spat out. If your cat refuses the flavour, our 30-day taste guarantee covers the tube.

What about dental diets, treats and water additives?

Some dental diets and treats carry the VOHC seal for plaque control in cats, which means an independent body has reviewed evidence for that specific claim, and they can help a cat that will not be brushed. None of them reaches the gum line the way a brush does, and none shifts tartar that has set. Think of them as support for brushing, not a replacement, and read the label for the species and the claim.

Kittens and older cats

Kittens can start with a fingertip of paste from around eight weeks, once weaned; adult teeth arrive between about four and six months, and a kitten brushed from the start usually accepts it for life. An older cat with existing tartar should see the vet before you start, so that brushing begins on a clean mouth, and may need a few extra weeks of patience.

A realistic cat routine

• Daily: paste on a small soft brush, outer surfaces of the back teeth, ten to twenty seconds.
• Weekly: lift the lip on both sides and look, same day each week.
• Daily: fresh water down; the probiotic powder over dinner if you use one, which supports normal digestion and does nothing for the teeth.
• Yearly: a vet check, sooner if anything on the list above applies.

Questions people ask

Do indoor cats need their teeth brushed?

Yes. Plaque has nothing to do with going outside; it forms after every meal in every cat.

How often should I brush my cat's teeth?

Daily if you can, and at least every other day. Once a week does very little because plaque hardens within days.

Can I use the same toothpaste for my cat and my dog?

Yes. Petsmile is marketed by its manufacturer for dogs and cats; the VOHC credential is listed for dogs. Give each pet its own brush.

Read next: How to brush a cat's teeth without a fight, Pet toothpaste vs human toothpaste, Shop for cats.

About the author. Dr Deepak Songra BDS (GDC 68552) is a dental surgeon with more than 35 years in clinical practice and the founder of Petdentist®. He is not a vet. He lives with Merlo, the Cavapoo you will see across this site.

This article is general information about daily care, not veterinary advice. Petdentist® products are non-medicinal daily-care products for dogs and cats and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are worried about your pet, please see your vet. Petdentist® is the trading name of Pet Dentist L.L.C-FZ, Meydan Grandstand, 6th Floor, Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, UAE. UK orders are dispatched from Northampton.