Brush Them Clean! - How to Brush your Kitten's teeth

Did you know you can actually brush your kitten’s teeth? And eventually make them enjoy it?

I cannot emphasise the importance of dental care enough. Not a big fan of going to the dentist myself but I can assure you that dental care at home for your pet will significantly reduce vet visits and cost.

Plaque on the teeth happens over 24 hours. If left as is, it will soon harden and form tartar. Eventually decay will set in, causing periodontitis, swollen and inflamed gums and that horrible horrible toothache.

How do you teach little kitty to have her pearly whites brushed clean?

Here’s the hack.

1.     Choose a Brush

You can choose to use a human brush. A paediatric one will be far more comfortable for your kitten. My personal recommendation is a finger brush.

2.     Slow and steady

Start slow. Let your kitten get used to just having your finger in their mouth. Run it over their gums during playtime. Make sure they get a small bit of kibble after the activity to make it worth their while

3.     Positive reinforcement

Eventually graduate to small actual brushing sessions. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in any type of training. Show your kitten treats every time you show them the brush. Every brushing session also needs to end with a treat. Consistency is key.

4.     Tasty pastey

Use only a pet toothpaste. Xylitol free. Xylitol present in human toothpastes (and sugarfree) is toxic for cats. You get a variety of delicious flavours with pet toothpaste. Try them out, your kitty may actually love brushing sessions with the tasty paste

5.     The Purrfect smile

Once comfortable, make the activity longer. Brushing every other day is advisable. Praise her every time you do it.  This one habit can actually will go a long way in keeping your kitten healthy, happy and pain free

Go ahead and give it a shot! Tell me how it went!

Keep Smiling!

Dr. N