7 steps to brushing your cat's teeth
07-09-2020

7 steps to brushing your cat's teeth

We know all too well how important it is to keep our teeth clean. Our cats' razor-sharp teeth, on the other hand, rarely see a toothbrush. While good teeth are at least as important to them as it is to us. Dental plaque can lead to annoying dental problems.

Two minutes twice a day. Sounds familiar?
Sure, that's a lot of people's regimen when it comes to brushing their teeth. We know all too well how important it is to keep our teeth clean. In contrast, our cats' razor-sharp teeth rarely see a toothbrush. While good teeth are just as important to them as they are to us.

Read on to learn 7 steps to brushing your cat's teeth


What do you need?

Before you start, it is good to get the right things. Using your own toothbrush and toothpaste on your cat is a bad idea. Human toothpaste is even toxic to cats.
Put the following things on your shopping list (or put them in your virtual shopping cart):

  • Gauze pads or a finger toothbrush
  • ​Cat toothbrush
  • Cat toothpaste with chicken or fish flavor
  • Treats or fun toys as a reward
  • Lots of time and patience

Step 1: Massage the cheeks

Most cats can still appreciate this first step. Get your cat used to being upside down. Rub the cheeks, tickle the chin and pat the forehead. Make this a positive and short ritual. This way your cat gets used to being busy around its mouth.

Step 2: Practice holding

The best position to hold your cat while brushing is with its back towards you. Place the palm of your hand around the top of the cup and place your thumb and middle finger on both cheeks. Gently hold the head slightly upwards, so that you can easily reach the teeth.

Step 3: brush with gauze around your finger

Once your cat learns the ritual, you can try putting your finger in the mouth. Gently pull the lip up by the cheeks and run your finger over the teeth. A few seconds is enough. As soon as this works, grab the finger toothbrush. Take the time to let your cat get used to it. This makes the following steps easier.

Step 4: Add toothpaste

Is your house tiger used to the finger toothbrush? Then introduce him to the toothpaste. Put a little on your finger and let him smell it. Preferably choose toothpaste with a taste that your cat likes. Optionally, you can mix the toothpaste yourself with some tuna juice or wet food. Put a little toothpaste on the finger toothbrush and repeat step 3 until it goes without saying.

Step 5: Introduce the cat toothbrush

Time to introduce the cat toothbrush! Toothbrushes for cats are small and have soft bristles, so they won't damage teeth and gums. Gently rub the teeth with the toothbrush. Again, keep it short and reward your cat when it goes well.

Step 6: brush it!

Once your cat is used to the toothbrush and toothpaste, you can start brushing. A few times back and forth over the outside of all teeth is sufficient. Rub off the gums to loosen stuck plaque. You do not need to brush the inside of the teeth.

Step 7: Repeat every few days

It is best to brush your cat's teeth every day. After all the practice, is it still not your fluffy friend's favorite hobby? Then try brushing a few teeth every day to make it shorter, or brushing once every two days. This is enough to prevent plaque mineralization.


Take your time and be patient

The key to toothbrushing success is time and patience. Are you still busy going through the steps or are you really unable to persuade your cat? In this blog, we give tips to keep your cat's teeth as clean as possible.

Of course, good food is important in maintaining healthy teeth. The Fokker Nutri-Fit and Steri-Fit (for sterilized cats) contain high-quality ingredients for good dental care. Especially for big cats we have the Maxi-Bite, which regulates the chewing behavior.

Two minutes twice a day. Sounds familiar?
Sure, that's a lot of people's regimen when it comes to brushing their teeth. We know all too well how important it is to keep our teeth clean. In contrast, our cats' razor-sharp teeth rarely see a toothbrush. While good teeth are just as important to them as they are to us.

Read on to learn 7 steps to brushing your cat's teeth


What do you need?

Before you start, it is good to get the right things. Using your own toothbrush and toothpaste on your cat is a bad idea. Human toothpaste is even toxic to cats.
Put the following things on your shopping list (or put them in your virtual shopping cart):

  • Gauze pads or a finger toothbrush
  • ​Cat toothbrush
  • Cat toothpaste with chicken or fish flavor
  • Treats or fun toys as a reward
  • Lots of time and patience

Step 1: Massage the cheeks

Most cats can still appreciate this first step. Get your cat used to being upside down. Rub the cheeks, tickle the chin and pat the forehead. Make this a positive and short ritual. This way your cat gets used to being busy around its mouth.

Step 2: Practice holding

The best position to hold your cat while brushing is with its back towards you. Place the palm of your hand around the top of the cup and place your thumb and middle finger on both cheeks. Gently hold the head slightly upwards, so that you can easily reach the teeth.

Step 3: brush with gauze around your finger

Once your cat learns the ritual, you can try putting your finger in the mouth. Gently pull the lip up by the cheeks and run your finger over the teeth. A few seconds is enough. As soon as this works, grab the finger toothbrush. Take the time to let your cat get used to it. This makes the following steps easier.

Step 4: Add toothpaste

Is your house tiger used to the finger toothbrush? Then introduce him to the toothpaste. Put a little on your finger and let him smell it. Preferably choose toothpaste with a taste that your cat likes. Optionally, you can mix the toothpaste yourself with some tuna juice or wet food. Put a little toothpaste on the finger toothbrush and repeat step 3 until it goes without saying.

Step 5: Introduce the cat toothbrush

Time to introduce the cat toothbrush! Toothbrushes for cats are small and have soft bristles, so they won't damage teeth and gums. Gently rub the teeth with the toothbrush. Again, keep it short and reward your cat when it goes well.

Step 6: brush it!

Once your cat is used to the toothbrush and toothpaste, you can start brushing. A few times back and forth over the outside of all teeth is sufficient. Rub off the gums to loosen stuck plaque. You do not need to brush the inside of the teeth.

Step 7: Repeat every few days

It is best to brush your cat's teeth every day. After all the practice, is it still not your fluffy friend's favorite hobby? Then try brushing a few teeth every day to make it shorter, or brushing once every two days. This is enough to prevent plaque mineralization.


Take your time and be patient

The key to toothbrushing success is time and patience. Are you still busy going through the steps or are you really unable to persuade your cat? In this blog, we give tips to keep your cat's teeth as clean as possible.

Of course, good food is important in maintaining healthy teeth. The Fokker Nutri-Fit and Steri-Fit (for sterilized cats) contain high-quality ingredients for good dental care. Especially for big cats we have the Maxi-Bite, which regulates the chewing behavior.

Two minutes twice a day. Sounds familiar?
7 steps to brushing your cat's teeth


Sure, that's a lot of people's regimen when it comes to brushing their teeth. We know all too well how important it is to keep our teeth clean. Our cats' razor-sharp teeth, on the other hand, rarely see a toothbrush. While good teeth are at least as important to them as it is to us.

Read on to learn 7 steps to brush your cat's teeth

What do you need?

Before you start, it is good to get the right things at home.
Using your own toothbrush and toothpaste for your cat is a bad idea. Toothpaste for humans is even toxic to cats.
Put the following things on your shopping list (or put them in your virtual shopping cart):

  • Gauze pads or a finger toothbrush
  • cat toothbrush
  • Cat toothpaste with chicken or fish flavor
  • Sweets or fun toys as a reward
  • Lots of time and patience
Step 1: massage the cheeks

Most cats can still appreciate this first step.
Get your cat used to being on his head. Rub the cheeks, tickle the chin and stroke the forehead. Make this a positive and short ritual. This way your cat will get used to the fact that you are busy around its mouth.

Step 2: Practice Holding

what is the best way to hold your cat?
The best position to hold your cat while brushing is with its back toward you. Place the palm of your hand around the top of the head and place your thumb and middle finger on both cheeks. Gently lift the head slightly so that you can easily reach the teeth.

Cat Nutri-Fit
Cat Nutri-Fit

A complete premium cat food for adult cats. With high-quality ingredients.

See product
Step 3: brush with a gauze on your finger

Once your cat knows the ritual, you can try putting your finger in its mouth.
Gently pull up the lip by the cheeks and run your finger over the teeth. A few seconds is enough. Once this is successful, grab the finger toothbrush. Take the time to get your cat used to it. This makes the next steps easier.

Step 4: add toothpaste

Is your house tiger used to the finger toothbrush?
Then introduce him to the toothpaste. Put a little on your finger and let him smell it. It is best to choose toothpaste with a taste that your cat likes. Optionally, you can mix the toothpaste yourself with some tuna liquid or wet food. Put a little bit of toothpaste on the finger toothbrush and repeat step 3 until this goes without saying.

Step 5: Introduce the cat toothbrush

Time to introduce the cat toothbrush!
Toothbrushes for cats are small and have soft bristles, so they don't damage teeth and gums. Gently rub the teeth and molars with the toothbrush. Again, keep it short and reward your cat when it goes well.

Step 6: Brush it!

start brushing!
Once your cat is used to the toothbrush and toothpaste, you can start brushing. A few times back and forth over the outside of all teeth is sufficient. Rub off the gums to loosen stuck plaque. You do not need to brush the inside of your teeth.

Cat Steri-Fit
Cat Steri-Fit

Complete premium food for adult cats with a tendency to be overweight or sterilized.

See product
Step 7: Repeat Every Few Days

Het beste is om de tanden van je kat elke dag te poetsen.
Is het na alle oefening nog steeds niet de favoriete hobby van je pluizige vriend? Probeer dan om elke dag een paar tanden te poetsen zodat het korter duurt, of poets eens per twee dagen. Dat is voldoende om mineralisatie van tandplak te voorkomen.

Take your time and be patient

The key to tooth brushing success is time and patience.
Are you still busy going through the steps or are you really not able to persuade your cat? In this blog we give tips to keep your cat's teeth as clean as possible.

Of course, good food is important in maintaining healthy teeth. The Fokker Nutri-Fit and Steri-Fit (for sterilized cats) contain high-quality ingredients for good dental care. We have the Maxi-Bite especially for large cats, which regulates chewing behaviour.

We have an extensive range for adult cats, including food for sterilized, sensitive and picky cats.

View the entire range
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