Soft brush, three strokes, treat after. And the crunchy no-brush backup for the cat who says no.
In this guide
She dodges the toothbrush? Start with three strokes
She dodges the toothbrush, so make it tiny: a soft cat brush, three strokes, a treat after. Still a no? Feline Greenies Dental Treats are the crunchy, no-brush backup, with the VOHC Seal for tartar.
The exception: sudden bad breath, red gums or a cat who drops her food means a vet visit, not a brushing project.
What you need
The Jasper Microbrush: extra-soft bristles for sensitive gums, sized for cats and small dogs, with replaceable heads.
Toothpaste made for cats. Never human toothpaste.
A treat she loves, and a quiet moment after play.
How to brush: 6 steps
Pick a calm moment, after play or a nap, with the other pets out of the room.
Let her lick a taste of cat toothpaste off your finger. Do this for a few days before any brush appears.
Touch a finger along her gums for a few seconds, then treat.
Add the brush. Lift the lip at the side and brush the outer surface of the teeth, near the back, in small circles along the gumline.
Stop before she squirms. Three strokes the first day, a few more each day after.
Treat after, every time.
The catch: the Jasper is extra-soft, so heavy tartar needs a firmer brush or the vet. Swap the head when it wears.
She will not open up? No-brush options
Feline Greenies Dental Treats (Roasted Chicken). Crunchy, under 2 calories a treat, with the VOHC Seal for tartar. Give them to cats 1 year of age or older, stay with her while she eats, and count them in her daily calories. The catch: it is a treat, so brush when she lets you and keep the vet cleanings.
ProDen PlaqueOff Powder. North Atlantic kelp powder you sprinkle on her food every day. No brush, no treats. The catch: the kelp taste puts some picky eaters off, and it needs a few weeks of daily sprinkles. Fussy about food? Go with the Greenies.
