Creative Tips to Make Your Cat Love Brushing Teeth

Cat's Teeth

The development of a cat's teeth is divided into two stages: the deciduous (milk) teeth stage and the permanent teeth stage.

In the deciduous teeth stage, there are a total of 26 milk teeth, which include 6 deciduous incisors on the upper jaw, 2 deciduous canines, and 6 deciduous premolars; on the lower jaw, there are 6 deciduous incisors, 2 deciduous canines, and 4 deciduous premolars.

The permanent teeth stage consists of 30 teeth, with 6 incisors, 2 canines, 6 premolars, and 2 molars on the upper jaw; and 6 incisors, 2 canines, 4 premolars, and 2 molars on the lower jaw. The permanent teeth stage also includes two additional wisdom teeth on both the upper and lower jaws. We can start brushing our cat's teeth after they have finished teething, or even earlier to establish a brushing habit.

Cat teeth growth and teething follow a regular pattern, which can often be used as a basis for determining the age of a kitten (as follows):

Deciduous Teeth

There are 26 deciduous teeth in the deciduous teeth stage.

Upper Jaw:

6 deciduous incisors: The first deciduous incisor appears at 23 weeks; the second deciduous incisor appears at 34 weeks; the third deciduous incisor appears at 34 weeks;

2 deciduous canines: The deciduous canines appear at 34 weeks;

6 deciduous premolars: The first deciduous premolar appears at 2 months; the second deciduous premolar appears at 46 months; the third deciduous premolar appears at 46 months;

Lower Jaw:

6 deciduous incisors: The first deciduous incisor appears at 23 weeks; the second deciduous incisor appears at 34 weeks; the third deciduous incisor appears at 34 weeks;

2 deciduous canines: The deciduous canines appear at 34 weeks;

4 deciduous premolars: The first deciduous premolar appears at the lower jaw at no time; the second deciduous premolar appears at 46 months; the third deciduous premolar appears at 46 months;

Permanent Teeth

Cats begin to lose their deciduous teeth and grow permanent teeth around 34 months of age, and this process continues until they are about 8 months old. The permanent teeth stage consists of 30 teeth.

Upper Jaw:

6 incisors: The first incisor appears at 3.54 months (teething); the second incisor appears at 3.54 months (teething); the third incisor appears at 44.5 months (teething)

2 canines: The canines appear at 5 months (teething)

6 premolars: The first premolar appears at 4.55 months (teething); the second premolar appears at 56 months (teething); the third premolar appears at 56 months (teething)

2 molars: The second molar (wisdom tooth) appears at 78 months (new teeth)

Lower Jaw:

6 incisors: The first incisor appears at 3.54 months (teething); the second incisor appears at 3.54 months (teething); the third incisor appears at 44.5 months (teething)

2 canines: The canines appear at 5 months (teething)

4 premolars: The second premolar appears at 56 months (teething); the third premolar appears at 56 months (teething)

2 molars: The first molar (wisdom tooth) appears at 45 months (new teeth)

Why Brush Your Cat's Teeth?

Reduce Bad Breath

Wouldn't you want to avoid your cat's bad breath when you're snuggling or petting it? Just like humans, cats can have bad breath if they don't brush their teeth, and it can start as early as 3 months of age.

Regularly brushing your cat's teeth not only helps reduce bad breath but also prevents dental diseases.

Regular brushing can effectively prevent issues such as tartar, calculus, bad breath, yellow teeth, swollen and bleeding gums, and periodontitis.

Reduce Tooth Wear

Cats over 3 years old are prone to periodontal disease and yellow teeth with mild tartar.

Food residue adheres to the surface of the cat's teeth, and plaque bacteria corrode and damage the teeth. If not treated promptly, the periodontal ligament may degenerate and form holes, leading to the destruction of the alveolar bone and even premature tooth loss in cats.

Brushing can help reduce tooth wear, and cats can maintain relatively healthy teeth as they age.

How to Brush Your Cat's Teeth

Apply catspecific toothpaste to the toothbrush, gently brush the teeth vertically in a circular motion, and be sure not to miss the inner surfaces of the teeth.

Ways to Make Your Cat Enjoy Brushing Their Teeth:

Food Reward Method

Food Association

Associate brushing with a special treat, such as offering a nutritious paste only during brushing sessions. When you pick up the toothbrush, your cat will know it's time for a treat.

The key to the food reward method is not to overdo it. If the treat is available every day, it loses its appeal.

You can place the nutritious paste next to the toothbrush to make the association easier for your cat.

Gradual Progression

Brushing your cat's teeth should be done gradually. Start by gently touching the toothbrush to your cat's teeth, lightly brushing or tapping them, without toothpaste, and then rewarding your cat. This process may take several sessions, during which you can gradually increase the duration of the water brushing.

Once your cat is comfortable with the toothbrush and shows no resistance, you can introduce toothpaste. This process is also gradual, increasing the duration and number of teeth brushed over time.

Relaxed Cleaning Method

Not forcing it

Don't force your cat to brush its teeth. Wait for your cat to come to you when it's time for a brushing session. Cats that have been raised with you are very attached and need your company every day. When your cat is clingy, you can try brushing its teeth, and it will be very patient.

Habits are formed over time, and the process of learning to brush can be gradual. Start with 12 teeth and gradually increase the number. When you pick up the toothbrush, your cat will know it's time for a brushing session, and it will become accustomed to it without resistance.

The relaxed cleaning method not only helps clean your cat's teeth but can also reduce your cat's clinginess to some extent.

Some days you might be busy with homework, and your cat comes to you for attention, which can take a lot of time. However, if you brush your cat's teeth, it only takes 5 minutes.

Stop When Necessary

If your cat resists, stop and don't force it. You can put your cat down and observe whether it is cleaning itself or coming back for more attention. If it comes back, you can continue.

Cats are the closest companions you have every day, and your cat's bad breath can affect your relationship with it. This highlights the importance of brushing your pet cat's teeth.