Dental cleaning for cats

Dental cleaning is essential for your cat’s health and quality of life. With regular home care and professional cleanings, you can prevent many common dental problems and keep your cat happy and pain-free. If you have concerns about your cat’s oral health, you should seek advice from a vet.

Maintaining your cat’s oral hygiene is important to its overall wellness. Like people, cats may experience dental health problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, and foul breath.¹ Cats in the wild usually clean their teeth by chewing on bones or grass but domesticated animals typically can’t access these items. Therefore, regularly checking the state of your cat’s teeth and dental care is essential for your cat’s health.

It is important to check and clean your cat’s teeth regularly. Teeth and gum problems occur in eight out of ten cats over three years of age, so responsible pet owners should start early so their cat gets used to the sensation of teeth cleaning.¹

Cleaning your cat’s teeth helps prevent:⁴

• Plaque and tartar buildup: Plaque can harden into tartar, harbouring bacteria that irritate gums.
• Gum disease (gingivitis): Untreated gum inflammation can progress to periodontal disease, damaging teeth and supporting structures.
• Tooth loss: Neglected dental issues can cause teeth to loosen and fall out.
• Systemic issues: Bacteria from dental infections can enter the bloodstream and affect vital organs, such as the heart and kidneys.
• Pain and discomfort: Poor oral health can make eating and grooming difficult for cats.

Ideally, your cat’s teeth should be brushed using cat toothpaste, a finger brush, or soft toothbrush daily (or at least twice a week).¹ You should never use human toothpaste, as it may contain toxic ingredients to cats. This routine promotes fresh breath, helps minimise plaque buildup, and is the key to good dental hygiene for cats.

You should start early and brush your cat’s teeth from the time they are kittens. Get them used to having a finger or toothbrush in their mouth, as adult cats can resist having their teeth cleaned.

Most veterinarians recommend professional dental cleaning once a year (even if your cat’s teeth are brushed daily), although some cats with advanced dental issues may require more frequent visits.¹ Professional dental cleanings are recommended as periodontal diseases develop slowly under the gum line, even when the surface of the teeth appears white. Regular professional dental cleanings can help maintain good oral health for your cat.

Dental cleanings are performed under general anaesthesia, allowing the vet to conduct a comprehensive oral exam, remove plaque and calculus, polish your pet’s teeth and perform other procedures to diagnose dental diseases.

A healthy cat’s teeth should be clean, white, and chip-free. Their gums should be pink and healthy, and free of ulcers, lesions, redness, swelling, and bleeding. Although cats are unable to tell us when they are feeling pain, there are signs there may be something wrong with your cat’s dental health:

• Bad breath: A persistent foul odour can indicate an infection or dental disease.²
• Drooling or pawing at the mouth: This action may indicate your cat is distressed or feeling pain or discomfort.
• Difficulty eating: Avoiding dry food or kibble and only wanting to eat soft food, licking up food instead of chewing and eating less can signal oral pain.
• Irritated gums: Red or swollen gums can be signs of gingivitis or inflammation.
• Visible tartar, loose or missing teeth: Yellow or brown deposits on teeth or loose and missing teeth can be signs of advanced periodontal disease.
• Behavioural changes: Irritability or reluctance to be touched around the mouth can signal poor dental health.

• Start early: Introduce tooth brushing when your cat is young.¹
• Dental treats and toys: You can introduce dental dietsand products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) designed to reduce plaque buildup.
• Specialised diets: Some cat foods are formulated to promote dental health.
• Regular vet visits: Ensure your cat’s mouth is checked during routine exams.
• Observe at home: Monitor for signs of disease or dental discomfort.

Pet insurance can help make your cat’s dental care more affordable. Many pet insurance plans only cover dental caused by accidents, but may offer add-ons to cover routine care, such as tooth extractions and treatments for dental diseases (if the issues aren’t pre-existing). Having dental insurance can give you peace of mind and make it easier to keep your cat’s teeth healthy.

Before signing up, reading the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) is important. These help you understand what is and isn’t covered in the policy and whether the coverage fits your cat’s needs.

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