Do you brush your cat's teeth?

[Lex]

I have an older cat and the vet says it would be good to brush the cat's teeth once in a while.

The cat very clearly doesn't think this is a good idea. Not even with those rubber index-finger pet toothbrushes.

What say you?

[Kutjara]

1. Only on those occasions when I think it would be a good idea...

...to have all the skin flayed off both my arms.

[Skittles]

2. not unless I want hieroglyphics on my arms

:o

[barb162]

8. I'd have to use oven mitts on my arms and face

[Truthiness Inspector]

3. Maybe get one of the bags

used for clipping claws where you place the cat in the bag and he/she is restrained (the name is escaping me right now). It basically prevents the cat from scratching the crap out of you. The fact that plaque, etc, affects the heart and if your vet recommended it, you might want to look into one of these.

[grace0418]

4. I tried but ended up making him bleed. He thrashed around so much that I

jabbed his gums with the brushy thing and cut him. It seemed to me that causing him to have open sores in his mouth was counterproductive to keeping him healthy, so I stopped doing it. A low carb, high protein diet will help. Part of the reason cats are having more problems with tooth decay and diabetes is that they are not omnivores like humans. They are carnivores. Dry food has a lot of carbs in it, even a lot of wet food has rice, corn and other starchy fillers.

[barb162]

10. That poor cat. I don't believe in having them go to the vet either

and having them put under for a cleaning. A neighbor's cat died while under the anesthesia. I did it just once and the cat's teeth still look like crap. I will never have it done again unless I see my cats having obvious problems, like swelling.

[Maraya1969]

12. Get greenies for cats. They help teeth. And there might be other things

in the pet store to help. If the teeth are real bad I would take her to the vet for a cleaning.

[realisticphish]

5. This:

http://www.mamarocks.com/how_to_give_your_cat_a_pill.htm

only with more blood

[Forkboy]

7. What's funny is that page isn't even far-fetched at all.

It'd be easier to give one to a ferret on a double espresso.

[HuffleClaw]

6. 'The cat very clearly doesn't think this is a good idea'

gee, i can't imagine why. i doubt my cat would permit such a thing.

[barb162]

9. I think it's a good idea to use that dental care catfood

that sort of cleans their teeth as they eat. Problem with the stuff is my cats won't eat it.

[Maraya1969]

11. ROFL

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

MY VERY OWN BLOOD

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:


SCARS


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:


TEARS


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:



EVERYTHING ELSE HORRIBLE


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[KT2000]

13. Think it's a private joke

among vets. Who is going to brush their cat's teeth and not be shredded?
They have said that to me before and I just say - yeah sure.

[krispos42]

14. I like my skin attached to my body. So, no, sorry!

:-)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. I've tried. It did not work out well.

[Burma Jones]

16. No, but my Sister In Law wipes her dogs' asses after they "go outside"

[zanne]

17. That's hilarious!

:rofl:

[AirmensMom]

18. No.

And I've been flamed for this, but we feed raw food to our cats. It keeps their mouths very clean (something about the pH). Now and then I give them some scraps of raw meat to chew on, since their normal food is ground.

[InvisibleTouch]

19. Raw/homecooked is the best way to go.

No flames here.

It does keep the teeth nice and clean, not to mention all the other health benefits.

[AirmensMom]

21. We had no choice.

Two Abys almost died from intolerance to commercial food. We had nothing to lose by trying raw. We switched in June, 2005, and they're still healthy and have clean mouths. It made a believer out of me.

Thanks for posting. We're in the minority, so it's always nice to find someone else who's on the same page. :hi:

[raccoon]

20. Has anyone here started doing this when the cat was still a kitten?

And hopefully, now the cat doesn't fight them tooth and toenail?

[kath]

25. that would absolutely be the way to go - start when the cat is young.

we started bathing our cats when they were young - while they didn't much like it, they really didn't put up a fight.

[ganeshji]

27. That is what I do.

I started cleaning my cat's teeth when they were just little furballs as well as bathing them and cleaning ears, eyes, and butts. They don't mind it. It's a huge treat and toy occasion though.

[Kerrytravelers]

29. Yes. We brushed teeth and clipped nails as a kitten and have never had any trouble.

We have done this with both cats. I've never cut too deep, either. Their breath isn't too bad, either.

From reading the other posts, I guess I can count myself doubly lucky!

[LynneSin]

22. I value my life and would like to see my next birthday

Evita is gonna need to get her teeth cleaned - I'll have the vet do it, they have drugs to make it easier

[legally blonde]

23. No, I prefer to keep my fingers, thank you very much! n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

24. I think vets get kickbacks from OR docs and plastic surgeons

whenever people follow their advice and try to brush their cats' big pointy teeth.

[ThatsMyBarack]

26. My vet tried to talk me into trying it....

....but I just never got around to it.

[Shine]

28. You're kidding, right?

:D

Seriously, it's enough to keep my own damn teeth brushed and manage the kids' doing theirs, too.....

Brush the CAT'S teeth? I don't think so. LOL.

[SOteric]

30. Dental Hygiene is important for cats.

I feed mine some tartar control treats and a daily batch of dry cat food. And once a year, I take him to the vets for a thorough teeth cleaning.

He tolerates most grooming pretty well, but he's not interested in toothbrushing. This doesn't end my responsibility to him, his kidneys are at stake whether the knows it or not.

[Left Is Write]

31. I'd like to see any person try with Dino.