Everybody knows that teeth are made to last a lifetime. People are taught to brush regularly, at least twice a day, to stay away from sweet or sticky foods, to get plenty of calcium, and to floss to remove matter from between their teeth. How much of this wisdom applies to keeping a cat’s teeth strong and healthy?

Well, just like human teeth, a cat’s teeth may have a build-up of tartar over time. They need to be cleaned regularly to prevent cavities, gum problems, and infection. Any infection or disease left untreated may spread to other areas of the body. Because cats don’t appreciate dental work any more than a human does, the veterinarian will put the cat to sleep in order to clean its teeth. If the pet has other issues that require an anesthetic, these two procedures might be performed at the same time to minimize exposure to anesthesia.

Determining how often the cat’s teeth need cleaning is best left to the vet. The length of time between cleanings will depend on the cat’s age, his feeding habits, and genetics. Dental procedures can usually be obtained for less than a hundred dollars, depending on the dentist, the procedure needed, and the anesthesia used.

In between cleaning, pet owners can help keep their cat’s teeth healthy by brushing them. Special brushes that fit over the tip of the finger are available to purchase, and special toothpastes my also be purchased which are formulated just for a cat. It may take a while to train a cat to allow brushing, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Try to help the cat adapt to brushing by introducing it slowly. First, use only a bare finger. Then, coat the finger in some juice from tuna or chicken packed in water. Move on to using the rubber brush dipped in the juice. Finally, offer the paste for special sniffing or licking. At this point, the cat should not be frightened by the use of the paste on the special brush.