d Tooth Brushing Tips for Your Feline Friend c

                   After my dentist appointment last week, and after listening to my dental hygienist’s recommendations, I started pondering about my beloved feline friends.  Do we stress the importance of good oral care in our cats as much as we should?  We usually do a pretty good job explaining how plaque and tartar build up leads to periodontal disease and how, from there, bacteria and toxins enter the bloodstream and affect the health of internal organs.

          But then, let’s face it, just the idea of brushing your cat’s teeth can be a scary one!  Many canine owners can do a remarkable job brushing and proudly show us their dog’s sparkling teeth. But, so far, I cannot remember many feline owners triumphantly showing us their cat’s pearly whites.  Very likely, they are unable to lift kitty’s lip!

          Anyway, because there is nothing that beats brushing in fighting dental disease, I will share a few tricks that will attempt to make our cats more cooperative:

1.     Use only toothpaste specially formulated for cats and find a flavor your kitty enjoys.

2.    Establish a routine; E.g. Every morning, or every night, at about the same time each day. Put a small amount of the toothpaste on your finger and offer it as a treat.

3.    After about 10 days of offering the toothpaste as a treat, it is time to let your cat get used to the toothbrush.  Now, let your kitty lick the yummy toothpaste directly from the toothbrush and let your friend enjoy this new routine for 10 more days.