Imagine you’re going to war… armed only with a toothbrush and your opponent not only has razor-sharp daggers, but they’re also a contortionist escape artist - Yep, brushing a cat’s teeth is like trying to tame a toothpaste-covered tornado! Like in a real war, you need a cunning plan of action to trick your opponent into submission (and avoid the costly skin graft surgery you’ll likely need after being lacerated by an angry cat!)
If you would like some tips to make this process a little less like a war and turn it into a wonderful bonding experience between you and your kitty, please watch my video on tips and tricks to help your cat accept toothbrushing as part of their routine.
In the meantime, while you exercise gargantuan patience with your stubborn feline, here are some things you can try to keep their teeth in good condition.
1. Feed a raw diet which includes bone. The natural way nature intended your feline to eat had built-in benefits for their dental health. Chomping into large pieces of raw meat and raw bone is the best way to clean their teeth second to only a professional dental cleaning and toothbrushing. Visit our resource section for a List of Top Recommended Fresh Diets for Cats.
1. Dental Chews - it is important to check the ingredients on any dental chews you buy to ensure there are no dangerous or unhealthy additives that might result in digestive complaints. There are some great natural alternatives that I highly recommend to help with cleaning the mouth, gums, and teeth naturally. SPOILER ALERT - it’s not dry food!
2. OraVet Gel - this is my secret weapon for optimal dental hygiene. OraVet Gel is a great product that can be purchased from several online retailers. Vet Depot has many discount coupons operational now, so you can stock up for less. This gel acts as a barrier that prevents bacteria from attaching to the teeth and thereby reduces the build-up of plaque and tartar.
3. Water Additives - The company Teef for Life, makes a superior, 100% natural, and vegan dental health water additive which has even been clinically trial and tested. Personally, I use this daily for me pets!
4. Dental Sprays - you can spray these directly into your pet’s mouth to reduce the oral bacterial load - just make sure your “aim-game” is strong - if you miss, they might not let you near them for a while!
Toothbrushing is first prize, but if your pet won’t cooperate and you value living a life with all 10 fingers, you have several other options to explore to keep your kitty minty fresh. And if you are lucky enough to have a chilled-out cat, then these are great products to use in addition to toothbrushing to ensure no dental issues develop.
We have an all-natural toothpaste in cheese and catnip flavors as well as a splinter-free, biodegradable toothbrush that comes in a variety of rainbow colors to brighten up your life. Get yours at Renewed Pet today!
