That’s a great question. Cat dental care is pretty much the same as the dog. You can begin brushing a cat’s teeth as early as 8 weeks of age. The sooner you can begin and performing brushing regularly will establish a habit and your pet might look forward to it. Just brush the tooth surfaces closest to the lips.
Make the experience as positive as possible by adding treats or licks of the toothpaste before and after the brushing. If your cat has claws, keeping them trimmed will help keep you from inadvertently getting scratched. Between brushing, you can supplement using dental treats and chews. Here is a link to treats that are recommended by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. These products have been tested for efficacy against plaque and tartar buildup.
Thank you for your question,
Jeanne Perrone, MS, CVT, VTS (Dentistry)
