Question:
I have the Petrodex toothbrush & paste, but Hank hates it so much that I rarely do it. Now she's got bad teeth & needs professional cleaning under sedation. So I am wondering what the rest of you do.......


Answer:
I have never thought of it.. the vet never told me that a cats teeth need to be brushed. his teeth look fine too. hmm...


Answer:
I've never thought of it either. Hmmm....are there cat treats that promote healthy teeth? I've seen dog treats that say they help clean the teeth, so I'm sure there's something similar for cats....


Answer:
I just found this at the Petsmart.com website. Hope it helps a bit.
Dental Problems -- 17 Ways to Lick Them
A Rodale Press contribution
Your cat doesn't have to flash his pearly whites for family portraits. Your pooch doesn't do smoochy love scenes for romantic movies or get up close and personal with execs at business luncheons.
So why worry about his teeth?
"If you ignore your pet's teeth, they may go away, or worse," says Peter Emily, D.D.S., director of animal dentistry at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Fort Collins, president of the American Veterinary Dental Society and co-author of The Manual of Veterinary Dentistry. "You should care every bit as much about your pet's teeth as you do about your children's or your own. They're just as vulnerable," he adds.
Although dogs and cats rarely get cavities, more than 80 percent of pets three years and older have some degree of periodontal disease, Dr. Emily explains. Periodontal disease is an infection caused by plaque, a thin, bacteria-laden film that can form on teeth. Over time, periodontal disease can lead to erosion of gum tissue and bones supporting the teeth, causing teeth to loosen and fall out. In rare cases, bacteria can spread from the mouth throughout the body, possibly causing infection in major organs such as the kidneys or heart.
Once your pet has periodontal disease or other dental problems, he'll need to see a vet for treatment and possibly a thorough tooth cleaning. But with regular care, you can prevent problems from getting started. Here's what tooth experts recommend to help keep your pet smiling.
For Dogs and Cats
Use mainly dry food. Feeding your pet dry kibble rather than canned food can help reduce plaque on teeth because it's slightly abrasive, says Steven Holmstrom, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Belmont, California, president of the American Veterinary Dental College and author of Veterinary Dental Techniques.
Dogs are luckier than cats on this front because a food designed expressly to deal with doggy dental hygiene is now available by prescription. Called Hill's Prescription Diet Canine T/D, it is oversize kibble that doesn't crumble at the first bite. Instead it holds together until the teeth penetrate almost all the way through. This helps wipe the teeth clean as your dog is eating, says Dr. Holmstrom.
Bone up on biscuits. "If you're going to give your pet a treat, a good choice for his teeth is a crunchy pet biscuit," says Dr. Emily. The abrasive action of the biscuits will help keep his teeth well-scrubbed and clean.
But beware of bones. Your pet may adore gnawing on big bones from your favorite cut of meat, but they can be mighty tough on teeth, says Dr. Holmstrom. "If you don't want your pet's teeth to fracture, avoid really hard things like bones," he advises. And of course you'll want to stay away from bones that splinter, such as chicken bones.
Whip it with a windpipe. While cow or pig tracheas aren't likely to be on display in your supermarket (you can find them in some specialty shops), they make great dental aids, says Dr. Emily. While your pet chews, the tough fibers and cartilage massage his teeth and gums and help clean plaque from hard-to-reach places.
Dr. Emily recommends cutting the trachea into three-inch segments and boiling it. It should be cooked "as you'd cook a bone -- maybe 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the size," he says. Then give it to your dog or cat as a treat. "They really enjoy it," says Dr. Emily.
Or use a tail to tame it. Oxtails are much easier to find at your grocer's than tracheas, and they provide the same plaque-busting, tooth-cleaning benefits, says Dr. Emily. Boil an oxtail for about five to ten minutes, let it cool and pass it on to your pet.
Reach for the rubber. Giving your pet a hard rubber toy with grooves is a great way to help keep his teeth white and clean, says Dr. Emily. As he chews, the rubber scrapes under the gum tissue, helping dislodge material that could lead to infection. To encourage him to chew, try filling the grooves with his favorite pet toothpaste, says Dr. Emily.
A variety of rubber toys are available. Vets often recommend Kong brand, which are expressly designed for your pet's chewing satisfaction, says Dr. Emily.
Launch a plaque attack. The idea of brushing your pet's teeth daily can be a bit daunting at first, but it's the best thing you can do to help keep gum disease from getting started. Even if you decide to do it only two days a week, it can make a big difference.
Start off easy. Rather than lunging at your pet with toothbrush in hand, give him time to get used to the idea, suggests Anthony Shipp, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Beverly Hills, California, who specializes in dentistry and is co-author of The Practitioner's Guide to Veterinary Dentistry. Start off by handling his mouth for about a minute a day for a few days, he says. Talk gently to him while you stroke around his mouth. Then reward him with plenty of love or a treat. "Getting your dog or cat comfortable with having his mouth handled is half the battle," Dr. Shipp says.
Graduate to gauze. Once your pet is comfortable with having his mouth touched, it's time to move on to his teeth. But rather than beginning with a brush, it's easier to go in with gauze, says Dr. Shipp. (If you don't have gauze, a bit of nylon stocking will also work.)
Lift your pet's lip on one side and, with a little gauze wrapped around your finger, rub the outer surfaces of the upper and lower teeth. Then switch to the other side. Try to keep the whole operation under a minute so your pet doesn't get antsy -- and don't forget the reward. Doing this once a day for about a week will help your pet get used to having your fingers inside his mouth and will make it easier for you to move on to the next step: a toothbrush.
Bring out the brush. "A good brushing is vital to keeping plaque at bay," says Dr. Holmstrom. He recommends using a soft, child-size toothbrush or one designed specifically for dogs or cats. You can also buy brushes that fit over your index finger.
Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth and with a gentle, circular motion, brush the outer surfaces of the teeth. Be sure to cover the entire tooth, especially the area where the base of the tooth meets the gum, says Dr. Holmstrom.
Use paste with taste. These days, pet toothpaste comes in so many lip-smacking flavors that few dogs and cats will turn up their noses at it. "Use whatever flavor you think your pet will like, based on what he likes to eat," says Wendy Beers, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Albany, California, who specializes in dentistry. Many pets like beef- and poultry-flavored pastes. Others prefer malt. For extra protection, however, your vet may recommend that you use a prescription, plaque-retardant paste instead.
But don't use toothpastes made for humans, since these usually contain detergents, she warns. Since dogs and cats are more likely to swallow than spit and rinse, human toothpaste can cause stomach upset.
Go for the garlic. If your pet doesn't seem to like any of the toothpaste flavors, try adding a bit of garlic powder to lukewarm water and use that to moisten the brush. "I think all dogs and cats must be part Italian, because they all seem to love garlic," says Dr. Emily.
Bring on the bouillon. If garlic water doesn't tickle his taste buds -- or if you can't stand having a pet with garlic breath -- try dipping the brush in chicken or beef broth. "Nothing beats the effectiveness of a good toothpaste, but at least these may help your pet accept a brushing," Dr. Emily says.
Do something fishy. Another favorite alternative to using toothpaste, especially among cats, is to moisten the toothbrush with water from a can of water-packed tuna, says Dr. Emily. Just beware: Your pet's mouth may not smell exactly minty-fresh afterward.
Make brushing a spectator sport. Your pet will be more likely to relax when you brush his teeth if he sees you brushing your own, says Dr. Beers. So leave the bathroom door open the next time you brush. Or, if you don't mind taking your brush to another room, sit in front of your pet's bed and brush your teeth there. "He may realize it's nothing that's going to hurt him if he watches you doing it to yourself," she says.
Plug in, plaque out. Fearless dogs and cats can benefit from the use of an electric toothbrush, says Dr. Emily. "The same ones that are good for people can be good for pets. Just remember, the quieter the better," he says.
Go to a pro. To keep your pet's teeth in tip-top shape, most vets recommend having them examined about once a year by your vet. "It's important to catch problems before they become serious," says Gary Beard, D.V.M., assistant dean at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama. Your vet may recommend that your pet have periodic professional cleanings as well.
When to See the Vet
While a toothbrush used regularly can help prevent many dental disorders, it's not a magic wand, says Peter Emily, D.D.S., director of animal dentistry at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Fort Collins and president of the American Veterinary Dental Society. While brushing your pet's teeth you should also watch out for problems that may need a veterinarian's care.
Red gums, for example, could indicate your pet has periodontal disease. Lumps or bumps could indicate an abscessed tooth or even a tumor. Other danger signs include inflamed or bleeding gums, foreign bodies you can't remove easily, tartar stains, damaged teeth, pimples around the mouth or a sudden onset of drooling or bad breath.
In addition, if your pet doesn't seem to be eating or is favoring one side of his mouth when he chews, it could be because he has a painful dental disorder.
Keep in mind that while virtually every vet can handle simple dental problems, you may need a specialist for more serious disorders. Some vets devote their careers to pet dentistry and can do everything from root canals to orthodontics.


Answer:
I regularly brush my cats & dogs teeth. I use C.E.T. brand toothpaste. For the cats, I use the finger brush but I use a regular pet toothbrush on the dogs. Cats that aren't used to having their teeth brushed, it's not too late to start. Start out by rubbing their gums & teeth with your fingers...then add toothpaste to your fingers so they get used to the taste...then put the finger brush on and add the paste. I don't do it as often as I used to when they were younger but I do it every 2 weeks or so.


Answer:
is that something that you would have to rinse their mouths??? like we do... or is that something that they can swallow??


Answer:
Nope, they just swallow it.


Answer:
I was looking at a kit at the pet store here, they have the whole toothbrush, toothpaste and all of this other stuff type kit thingy and I was thinking about getting it,,my grandmother always brushed her animals teeth every morning and also gave them vitamins, her dog Sandy would run around the house for like 5 mins after his teeth were brushed and hed be going crazy, then hed cough and cough and cough,, there is a toothpaste out for babies for 5 mths and up because its not good to swallow toothpaste and its hard to try and get a baby to spit in the sink so I use this toothbrush and its very safe to swallow and smells and taste yummy, my vet said that this can also be used


Answer:
I recently borrowed a dental scraper from a friend...I used it on Montana and got a good amount of tartar off her teeth...I think I'll order one. Montana just sits on a chair and lets me do what I want...Koko on the other hand doesn't trust me with it but she doesn't mind getting her teeth brushed...so I'll have to work on her