How To Choose The Best Cat Toothbrush – CatTime
Anyone who has teeth and gums needs to keep them healthy. Healthy teeth are strong and pain-free with no plaque or tartar. Healthy gums help to give your teeth longevity. The same is true for your pet. Brushing your cat's teeth is one of the best things that you can do to keep your cat in good health. Good oral care includes regularly brushing your cat’s teeth with a toothbrush designed to make it easy for you to give your pet’s teeth a good clean. To help you make the best choice, here is a list of the top five cat toothbrushes on the market.
Best Choice
No-Rinse Toothpaste with Great Flavor
Pros:
The pack is a complete kit and you can start brushing your cat’s teeth straight away. It contains a toothbrush and a finger brush so you can clean both front and back teeth easily. The finger toothbrush is great for kittens. The toothpaste contains hydrogen peroxide and enzymes that make it easy to get a good clean. It has a great malt taste that cats love. Regular brushing controls bad breath. The formula does not foam and does not need to be rinsed out. The bristles are soft enough to be gentle but clean very well. The finger toothbrush cleans the teeth and massages the gums. This dental kit was developed by a veterinarian.
Cons:
The finger toothbrush needs a little practice to be adept enough to clean such a small mouth.
Best Finger Toothbrush
Value Pack of Various Sizes and Shapes
Pros:
This pack contains different sizes for use on both cats and dogs. The finger toothbrushes come in two different sizes. The pack contains four dual-ended toothbrushes and four finger brushes. The small-sized toothbrushes and finger brushes are great to use on puppies and kittens. The dual-ended toothbrushes make it easy to clean both front and back teeth. This pack offers great value for money. The bristles are soft and massage the gums for a good clean. Excellent value if you have pets of various sizes or want to try out more than one size on your pet.
Cons:
The finger brush bristles are very soft and may not be suitable for larger animals.
Best for Sensitive Teeth
360-Degree Brush with Ultimate Softness
Pros:
The head of the Cateeth toothbrush is completely covered with bristles, which cats seem to enjoy chewing. The head and shaft are made of soft silicone. The silicone is BPA-free. It comes in two colors: mint and pink. The brush has a core of stainless steel for strength. Cleaning time is shorter as the brush cleans the front and back of the teeth at the same time. Effectively cleans teeth of plaque and tartar. Its small size makes it easy to use on small mouths. The brush can be used at any angle and effectively reach the back teeth.
Cons:
Cats tend to chew vigorously on this toothbrush, which shortens its working life.
Best Cat Toothbrush Kit
Complete Cleaning Kit for Cats
Pros:
Differently sized brushes give you flexibility in how you clean your pet’s teeth. The brushes come in three styles, so you can experiment with what works best. The brushing ball has a diameter of two inches and has a compartment for toothpaste. The different tools help you get to every tooth and clean them well. The brushes have long handles that make it safer to clean the teeth of reluctant cats. The brushes can be used on dogs, too. The kit is sold in a sturdy pouch that keeps everything together in one convenient place.
Cons:
Although the brushes are different sizes, they do not come in extra-small.
Best Design
Designed for Small Mouths
Pros:
The handle and head of the Kittyteeth Cat toothbrush is a small size, designed for small pets’ teeth. The head is reduced in width and depth and features shortened bristles. The construction is robust and sturdy. The bristles are polished, which makes them safe to use even on sensitive gums. The packaging includes instructions for effectively brushing your pet’s teeth. The bristles are densely packed, which offers a reliable clean. This product is made in the USA.
Cons:
The handle is short, which can make it difficult to reach the back teeth.
What Really Matters
Hygiene
You have taken the time to select healthy food for your cat, and make sure it exercises daily. And you are up-to-date on all the vaccinations and veterinarian appointments. But have you considered your cat’s dental routine? Oral hygiene is vitally important to a cat’s overall health. If you don’t take the time to keep plaque and tartar at bay, it can cause health issues later on. Gum disease and tooth decay need serious treatment by a vet, and lost teeth can lead to feeding problems. It makes the daily stinky breath look insignificant in comparison to the heartache and veterinarian bills. By creating a daily routine of brushing with a specifically designed toothpaste and toothbrush, you can avoid many of the problems that come with poor dental health. It may take some time for your cat to settle into the routine, but it will be worth it–and not just because of the lack of stinky breath.
Becoming a Cat Whisperer
Brushing your cat’s teeth is very important, but don’t expect your cat to work with you. You already know your cat owns you and not the other way around, but it is worth the effort. Dental cleanings at the veterinarian are costly and have to be done under sedation, which comes with its own risks. By establishing a dental routine, you can increase the time between cleanings and avoid painful gum disease. If your cat is still young, settle them into the routine as soon as possible.
Becoming a cat whisperer is a skill that you need to acquire to establish a good routine. Like humans, cats need their teeth cleaned daily. Find a place where you can wrap your cat in a towel and place them on a table or in your lap. Put the cat’s head at a 45-degree angle and gently lift their lips. Use a cat toothbrush with cat toothpaste and gently rub the teeth. The inside does not need to be done as the cat’s rough tongue keeps the inside clean. Brush for about thirty seconds on each side. If your cat is resistant, use a cotton swab dipped in the water from a can of tuna for a couple of days so they get used to the sensation, then introduce the brush. It may take some time for the cat to cooperate but using an enzyme-based toothpaste will help.
Great Gums
90% of all cats will suffer with some sort of periodontal disease in their lifetime. Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth, more commonly known at the gums. Gum disease can lead to infection, abscesses, bleeding gums, pain, and tooth loss. As a meat eater, your cat will need to keep their teeth in good health to be able to eat properly. Healthy teeth start with the gums. Choose a toothbrush that will be kind to the gums, massaging them gently and with no sharp edges. Also, be sure that you have the right toothbrush size for your cat’s mouth. Some large-bristled heads pull the cheek away from the teeth in small mouths and can cause damage. An enzyme-based toothpaste will also help with gums and restrict the buildup of plaque and tartar.
What’s in Right Now?
Proactive pet dental health is popular this year as more education becomes available about the risks of poor oral hygiene. The past years have seen the rise of specifically designed feline toothbrushes and toothpastes that easily promote good oral practices. Differently shaped heads and construction materials will continue to create good options that make it easier to keep your cat’s teeth clean. Cat toothpastes that dissolve the sticky biofilm that causes plaque buildup are becoming more readily available in flavors that your pet prefers. Companies are increasingly turning to vets to create formulas and styles that are effective and kind to your cat.
Prices
Expensive
$10-$14 This range will buy you a cat toothbrush in a range of shapes designed to be something your cat wants to play with. Many of the designs will mean that your cat will never realize they are having their teeth brushed! Most provide holes for toothpaste so that your cat doesn’t need to be held during the toothbrushing process. Some packs also have two or more toothbrush shapes in varying colors. This price point will also purchase you a multipack of sizes and styles of traditional pet toothbrushes.
Mid-Range
$5-10 This will buy you a vast range of cat toothbrushes. Most will be post-and-handle designs, but finger toothbrushes are becoming more popular. Some come with toothpaste or are designed for a specific size or type of pet.
Cheap
$3-$5 This price range covers very basic toothbrushes of limited quality. There is very little design in these items and the construction can be poor.
FAQs
How often should I brush my cat’s teeth?
Just like humans, cats need their teeth brushed every day. Feline saliva causes a sticky biofilm on the surface of the teeth that collects bacteria and food particle buildup. This film turns into plaque, then tartar, if left to thicken. Your cat may not cooperate with their toothbrushing routine, but it is important to establish something to keep their teeth clean.
How can I help prevent plaque and tartar buildup?
You can get cat chews, water additives, and specially formulated foods, but frankly, daily brushing is the best defense against dental problems. It ensures that the debris is removed and there is no buildup of detrimental agents that may eventually cause gingivitis or decay.
Can I use human toothpaste?
Absolutely not! Human toothpaste is designed to be spit out when finished, but your cat cannot do that, and would ingest chemicals that may not be safe for animals to swallow. Some toothpaste contains xylitol, which can be fatal for animals. Always use a toothpaste that’s specifically designed for your pet. It will be a non-foaming and safe-to-swallow formula; it will even come in an appealing flavor that will make it a more pleasant experience for your cat.
Is a child-sized toothbrush okay to use?
A child-sized toothbrush may be a better size for your small cat or kitten, but it may not be soft enough to avoid damage. It is always better to buy a toothbrush specific to your needs that will protect the oral health of your pet. Your cat will not be able to tell you if their gums are damaged and will be especially afraid of the routine if your brush damages their mouth.
Does each animal have to have their own toothbrush and toothpaste?
Oh, yes! You don’t have one toothbrush for all the members of your family–the same goes for your pets. By having a separate toothbrush for each animal, you reduce the likelihood of cross-infection from pet to pet. It’s also important to make sure the brush is the right size and firmness for the size of the animal. The toothpaste must be approved for the animal on which you are using it, so cats need cat toothpaste and dogs need dog toothpaste. But the same species can share the same toothpaste, as long as they enjoy the taste.
Why Trust Us
Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.