Getting A Cat Used To Getting Their Teeth Brushed

Cats can suffer from severe oral health problems that put their health at risk. One of the most problematic of these is gingivitis. Keeping cats out of the vet by getting them used to brushing their teeth is a great way to protect their oral health.

Gingivitis Is Problematic For Cats

Cats are prone to gingivitis due to a variety of influences, such as eating soft food, breathing with their mouth too often, or not getting adequate oral care from their owners. Cats, like dogs and people, need their teeth carefully managed to eliminate plaque and other problems that lead to gum disease. Gingivitis can be a very painful condition for cats, one that can lead to tooth loss. That's why it's so important to find a way to brush a cat's teeth. Most veterinarians should have tips on how to do this without running into problems, particularly getting around a cat's training stubbornness.

Cats Can Be Stubborn Against Training

While cats are very intelligent creatures, they are stubborn against training for a variety of reasons. One is their lack of a social nature. This isn't to say that cats don't enjoy the company of others, but that they typically don't have a well-defined social structure the way that dogs and people do. Most training comes in this sort of group format, but the independent cat learns its lessons on its owns.

This is true even of cats who love their owners and who want to please them. Very friendly and tame cats are likely to tolerate some actions done against their will (such as brushing), but are probably getting very tense about it and may even react against it. That's why it is important to basically make the cat brush its own teeth.

Brushing Takes A Special Approach

No, it isn't possible to teach a cat to hold a toothbrush and manage its dental health. Instead, it is important to make brushing a positive situation that they enjoy. There are a few ways to do this. First of all, it is important to reward a cat with positivity when they get their teeth brushed. A cat is quick, like a dog, to understand that "being patient while getting brushed" will reward them with a treat.

Then it is important to get the cat to rub their teeth on the brush naturally. Remember: cats are very curious and one way they will investigate an object is with their teeth. Hold a toothbrush up to their mouth, one that is lightly coated in catnip and toothpaste. This items will cause the cat to taste the paste and rub their mouth on the toothbrush, giving you the chance to get them acclimated to brushing.

By following this simple process, you can keep your cat out of the veterinarian for poor oral health and protect them from gingivitis. They will appreciate not visiting the vet and will enjoy your daily routines of catnip and brushing. For more information, talk to a professional like Northside Emergency Pet Clinic.