How to Start (and Stick to) a Dental Care Routine for Your Cat
Learn why at-home dental care is essential for your cat's health and discover practical tips to build and maintain a consistent dental care routine.
Our days are filled with small habits, from brushing our teeth every morning to cleaning the litter box after work. These things are so ingrained that we do them on autopilot without even thinking, but they didn't start out that way. As a veterinarian, I consistently recommend at-home dental care as the most effective way for pet owners to promote their cat's oral health, slow the progression of common dental diseases, and reduce the need for costly dental procedures. However, for cat owners, this task can feel especially daunting. Let's explore why at-home dental care is so important for your cat's health, what it may involve (this will look different for each cat), and how you can start and actually stick to a consistent dental home-care routine.
Feline Dental Disease
Per the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), dental disease affects more than 70% of cats by age three. While both dogs and cats commonly develop periodontal disease, cats are also prone to other dental issues, including painful feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions and stomatitis.
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition of the tissues that hold the teeth in place. It starts when bacteria form a sticky film on the teeth called plaque, which then interacts with your cat's saliva to mineralize into hard calculus (tartar). Once formed, calculus can only be removed with a veterinary cleaning under anesthesia. Early on, it causes gingivitis, characterized by red, inflamed gums that may bleed. If inflammation persists, it can progress to periodontitis, causing loss of bone that supports the teeth, gum recession, pain, infection, tooth loss, and even systemic effects on major organs such as the heart and kidneys.
Signs of periodontal disease may include bad breath, tartar buildup, red or bleeding gums, drooling, pawing at the mouth, difficulty eating or chewing, and changes in behavior, such as hiding, decreased grooming, or irritability. Because cats are masters at hiding signs of pain and disease often lurks below the gumline, many cat owners will not notice any symptoms even if periodontal disease is present. This is one reason why dental disease is often overlooked. The good news is that periodontal disease is considered preventable with a combination of at-home dental care and routine dental cleanings by your vet.
Components of Dental Care
Dental Cleanings by Your Vet Under Anesthesia
It's important to understand that even the best at-home dental care is not a replacement for veterinary dental cleanings. These procedures are performed under anesthesia and are critical in allowing your vet to fully examine the mouth, probe for periodontal pockets, take dental X-rays, and ultimately treat dental disease above and below the gumline.
Daily Tooth Brushing: The Gold Standard
Veterinary organizations, including the AVMA and the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), agree that daily brushing is the single most effective way for pet owners to support dental health between cleanings. The mechanical act of brushing removes plaque from the tooth surface and at the gumline, before it can harden into tartar. Cat-safe toothpaste also contains enzymatic or anti-plaque ingredients to help slow bacterial growth and reduce odor. It is designed to be swallowed safely and often comes in pet-friendly flavors that help make brushing easier. Because plaque begins to mineralize quickly (often within about 24 hours), brushing is most effective when it's done daily.
Brushing a cat's teeth may seem like an impossible task to many cat owners, but it is usually possible with patience and practice. Starting early in kittenhood by getting your cat comfortable with having their mouth handled and slowly introducing brushing is the easiest way to start, but older cats can also learn to accept this process. That said, for some cats, brushing may never be safe or realistic, and that doesn't mean that they are destined for a life of dental disease.
Science-Backed Alternatives to Brushing
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) is an organization that evaluates pet dental products. When a product carries the VOHC Seal of Acceptance, it means the manufacturer has submitted controlled study data showing safe and effective plaque and/or tartar control. These products are intended to complement toothbrushing and can help reduce plaque and tartar through several different mechanisms, such as mechanical abrasion, chemical plaque control, antimicrobial effects, and reducing how easily plaque sticks to teeth.
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Dental diets - Unlike regular kibble, dental diets typically use a larger kibble size and specific texture that allows for a scraping action along the tooth surface as a cat chews. These diets also contain ingredients intended to reduce oral bacteria and slow plaque buildup. Using a dental diet is as simple as feeding your cat, although they tend to be costly, require a prescription, and may be inappropriate for cats who require a different therapeutic diet, have certain underlying medical conditions, or do not like dry food.
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Dental treats - Dental treats can be a convenient way to support oral health through mechanical abrasion, along with chemical ingredients aimed at reducing plaque and tartar buildup. They're often easy for owners to use and can be a special treat for cats who are amenable. For safety, treats should be appropriately sized, not overly hard, and used under supervision.
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Water additives - Water additives are liquids you simply add to your cat's water bowl to help reduce oral bacteria and slow plaque buildup. In multi-pet homes (especially when dogs and cats share a water source), you'll want to choose a product that's safe for all animals and be sure to provide additional bowls of plain water as well. Hydration is especially important in cats, so this product should not be used if it discourages your cat from drinking.
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Gels, wipes, sprays, and powders - These products can be useful for cats who won't tolerate a toothbrush, because they allow some level of plaque control with less handling of the mouth. They work in various ways, including mechanical disruption of plaque, enzymatic breakdown of plaque and odor-causing bacteria, and supporting a healthy oral environment. While they may be easier to use, they are still less effective than brushing, and not all cats will tolerate them.
What to Avoid
Anesthesia-free dental cleanings may improve the appearance of the teeth above the gumline, but they do not allow for a thorough exam, dental X-rays, or cleaning below the gums, and using sharp dental tools in an awake animal can be dangerous for all parties involved. While less common in cats than dog, chewing on hard objects can lead to painful tooth fractures. Lastly, never use human dental products or toothpastes, as they often contain ingredients that are unsafe for pets. Even products formulated for dogs can be unsafe for cats, so always check the label.
How to Make and Stick to a Routine
Understand Why It's Important
Dental disease is extremely common in cats and can affect their overall health, longevity, and quality of life. Veterinarians consider at-home dental care the most effective way for pet owners to promote oral health in between vet visits. A consistent routine is important to help disrupt plaque formation and prevent it from hardening into tartar, which is much more difficult to remove.
Determine What Motivates Your Cat
Most dogs will do anything for a treat, but cats are often more selective. Before embarking on your dental care routine, spend some time getting to know what motivates your cat. Perhaps it's a food item, such as a crunchy treat or a tube of Churu, or maybe they go crazy for catnip or a feather wand. Pairing something your cat truly values with their dental routine will help build a positive association.
Set Realistic Goals
First, consider your schedule, preferences, type and number of animals in your home, and your cat's age and temperament. The best routine will be one that you actually stick to, and setting realistic goals can help accomplish this. To be most effective, brushing should be done daily, but if you're just starting out, it's okay to aim for a minimum of 3-4 times per week. Anything less than that is unlikely to be effective, and it may be best to focus on other dental care options. Ask your vet for personalized guidance or refer to the sample routine below.
Pick a consistent time and place (e.g., after breakfast in the living room). Use a cat toothbrush or finger brush with cat-safe toothpaste. Brush the outer surfaces of the teeth along the gumline in gentle circles, then give an immediate reward (treat/play/praise). Do this daily if possible, or at least 3-4 times per week. If brushing isn’t possible yet, or in addition to brushing, use VOHC-approved dental products as directed on the label or by your vet.
Take Your Time
The goal is to establish a routine that you can consistently and easily perform, ideally for the duration of your pet's life. To do this, you must take your time to introduce dental care to your pet so that they not only tolerate it but actually come to expect and enjoy it. Break toothbrushing into small, gradual steps and pair each with a high-value reward, allowing your cat to build comfort and positive experiences over time. For example, begin by getting your cat comfortable with you touching around their mouth, then sliding a gauze-covered finger between their lips and teeth, eventually working up to brushing the outer surface of the teeth in gentle circles. For many cats, this process will take several months. If at any time your cat seems stressed or you are concerned about your safety, stop and get support from your vet.
Use Safe and Effective Feline-Specific Products
Daily toothbrushing, along with products approved by the VOHC, is the cornerstone of evidence-based home dental care. These products range from water additives and dental diets to chews, toothpastes, and powders, and are evaluated for safety and efficacy.
Pair with Existing Habits
Habit pairing, or stacking, is a strategy in which you attach a new habit (such as brushing your cat's teeth or giving them a dental treat) to something that you already do every day. It takes less effort and motivation to remember a new habit when it is linked to a consistent cue, such as brushing your own teeth or cleaning the litter box. Over time, the new habit will become more automatic, making dental care feel like just another part of daily life.
Repetition Is Key
Many people have heard that it takes 21 days to form a habit, but research suggests it's usually longer and more variable. In one study, participants took anywhere from 18 to 254 days for a new daily behavior to feel automatic, averaging around 66 days. Make your dental routine easy enough to repeat consistently until it becomes part of daily life. Cats are creatures of habit, so if you perform their dental care routine at the same time and in the same place every day, they will also come to expect (and possibly even look forward to) it.
Use a Habit Tracker or Reward System
Another strategy that can help new routines stick is using a habit tracker or a simple reward system. Tracking helps make progress visible, which can be motivating. This might be as simple as checking off days on a calendar, using a notes app, or using a dedicated tool such as PerkyPet, which helps pet owners track dental care and other home health habits in one place.
Conclusion
Just as with brushing your own teeth, daily brushing is the gold standard of at-home dental care for cats. But the best dental care routine for your cat will be the one that fits easily into your lifestyle and budget, is well tolerated by your cat, and is something that you can stick to consistently. By committing to a realistic at-home dental care routine today, you become an active partner in protecting your cat's dental health. Small daily actions can help prevent pain, preserve teeth, and improve your cat's comfort and quality of life for years to come.
