As the pet tech writer here at WIRED, I know just how far we’ve come as a pet-obsessed society. From automatic litter boxes with built-in cameras to interactive pet cameras on wheels that shoot out treats, if a human has dreamed it, our pets have probably been subjected to it.
For a while, pet influencers were all about hydration. My FYP was filled with tricks and tips to increase chronically dehydrated cats’ water consumption, including via pet water fountains, which have since flooded the market. Most recently, I was influenced to try at-home pet DNA test kits. The most interesting finding from this testing was the discovery that both of my cats’ oral health was poor. That sent me down a rabbit hole of information and countless queries for “how to brush your dog’s teeth.”
So, I did lots of research, tested some oral health pet products, talked with experts, and found that you really should be brushing your pet’s teeth—daily if possible, or at least several times a week. Let me share my hard-won knowledge, so you can improve your pet’s quality of life without losing a finger.
Table of Contents
Benefits to Brushing a Cat and/or Dog’s Teeth
Just like in humans, a cat or dog’s oral health is closely tied to the rest of their body, significantly impacting their overall health and potentially leading to longer lives. Here are some of the most significant benefits of brushing their teeth:
- Preventing dental disease: Brushing regularly helps clean the teeth, reducing plaque buildup that can develop into tartar within a matter of days. “Tartar traps bacteria under the gum line, leading to gingivitis, tooth decay, and ultimately periodontal disease,” says veterinarian Berkcan Yanar. Periodontal disease causes mouth pain and leads to gum recession, tooth loss, and sometimes even damages the jawbone. Cats can even develop resorptive lesions if left untreated—painful areas where the tooth actually starts breaking down and the mouth is severely inflamed.
- Helping with bad breath: Not only is bad breath unpleasant, it can be an indication of an infection or potentially harmful bacterial imbalance in your pet’s mouth. Brushing helps keep things fresh so you will actually want to kiss your fur baby again.
- Preventing further health issues: Infections can also spread beyond the mouth. Bacteria from the mouth can travel in the bloodstream and infect vital organs like the heart, kidneys, and liver.
- Improving their quality of life: Teeth brushing is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to maintain your pet’s overall health and reduce the need for costly (or traumatic) trips to the vet. And as you get in the habit of brushing and become more aware of what the inside of your pet’s mouth usually looks like, you can more easily catch anything before it becomes a bigger issue.
Warning Signs of Poor Oral Health
- Significantly bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis.
- Red or bleeding gums, which can be indicative of gingivitis.
- Loose or missing teeth (that used to be there).
- Accumulation of dental calculus, or tartar, (which looks brown) on the teeth. “Calculus is solid buildup on the teeth that provides hiding places for bacteria to replicate,” says professor of veterinary medicine Julie Hunt. “The replication of bacteria in the mouth can also trigger gingivitis and periodontal disease, which can result in tooth loss.”
- Eating habits have changed. Just observing the eating patterns of your pet is one of the easiest (and least invasive) ways of monitoring oral health. If they start drooling or pawing at the mouth, eating carefully, beginning to favor one side of the mouth, increasingly dropping food, or seeming reluctant to eat, these are all signs of deteriorating oral health. Even things like swelling under the eye, which “typically signifies an abscessed tooth,” says Yanar.
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with a vet immediately and begin an oral health routine.
I took Basepaws DNA test and found that my cats’ oral hygiene was poor.
Specific Animals May Be Predisposed
All pets are susceptible to developing periodontal disease from poor oral care, so all cats and dogs require dental care. However, there are some breeds that are more predisposed to oral disease, so pay extra attention to their mouth and be even more proactive about care if you have any of these types.
- Small-breed dogs are particularly vulnerable to tooth loss and the loss of the bone that surrounds the teeth. Breeds like Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and dachshunds often have crowded teeth, which trap food and lead to an overgrowth of potentially harmful bacteria.
- Brachycephalic, or smush- or flat-faced, cats and dogs (e.g., bulldogs, Frenchies, Persian cats) are more prone to dental problems and eventual decay because their teeth are compressed into a smaller space and it’s harder to remove tartar buildup between the teeth.
- Older cats in general are more prone to dental disease (which is why you often hear about elderly cats needing their teeth pulled). Cats can develop those previously mentioned resorptive lesions, where the tooth actually begins breaking down while in the gum, which causes immense pain.
How Often Should You Be Brushing?
“I recommend daily brushing if feasible, but even brushing three or four times a week can really slow down plaque buildup,” says Yanar. All of the experts I spoke to recommend daily brushing, but tell owners to try to brush at least three times a week minimum.
How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth
Introduce tooth brushing slowly, by first letting your pet lick pet toothpaste off your finger. Then put the toothpaste on the brush and let them lick from that. I let my cat Clover bite down on the toothbrush and start there, as the bristles will move between the teeth. My cats can be very squirmy, so I put them in my lap (one at a time) and pull up or down on their lip while brushing. If you have a larger dog, it may be easier to have them sit or straddle them from above to get full access to the mouth.
“Let your pet lick a small amount of flavored pet toothpaste—poultry, beef, or fish flavors are popular—off your finger for a few days so they associate it with something pleasant. Then introduce a soft-bristled toothbrush or a finger brush,” says Yanar. “Put the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line and brush in tiny circles along the outer aspects of the teeth, focusing on the rear molars and canine teeth, where plaque most commonly accumulates. Work up to 30 to 60 seconds of brushing per side. Dental wipes, oral rinses, and veterinary-approved dental chews can also be great additions but should never replace brushing.”
Products to Use
- A pet-specific enzymatic toothpaste
- A small, pet-size soft-bristled toothbrush or ribbed finger covering
“Always use a pet-specific, enzymatic toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste, as it can contain fluoride and the artificial sweetener xylitol, both of which are toxic to dogs,” says licensed veterinarian Liza Cahn. “Dental products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council can also be used in addition to brushing, or if brushing is not possible, to help promote oral health.”
There are other ways (in addition to brushing) that you can promote oral health in your pets. Below are some dental products I’ve tried and liked.
- Dental treats for cats or chews for dogs that have porous textures help fight plaque buildup and have added vitamins and minerals to promote oral health.
Pro tip: look for any dental chews endorsed by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (there will be a “VOHC Accepted” label). - Dental powder food or water additive for cats or dogs that gives owners a sneaky way to promote a healthy oral biome and dental health. (I’ve ordered Pet Honesty Dental Powder ($21), but it has not arrived yet at the time of writing.)
- Dental wipes shouldn’t fully replace bristled brushing with an enzymatic toothpaste, but they can supplement occasionally or be used in addition to bristled brushing. I’ve used Uproot Clean Dental Wipes ($20) as well as their eye and ear wipes, all of which can be used for both cats and dogs.
Professional Veterinarian Cleaning
Like humans, cats and dogs should get professional cleanings at least once a year (you may need every six to nine months or so if you have a breed that is predisposed to oral problems, like pugs or Persian cats). In these exams, for the safety of the animal and the veterinarian, the animal will go under anesthesia, and the vet will perform the exam and thorough cleaning.
“A professional cleaning allows us to not only clean the visible crown but also underneath the gum line, an area owners simply can’t reach at home. While under general anesthesia, we perform a thorough oral examination, scale the teeth above and below the gum line, polish the enamel to slow down future plaque buildup, and typically take dental x-rays to look for hidden disease,” says Yanar.
Since getting a professional cleaning also includes an oral and radiographic exam, vets are able to “diagnose broken, decayed, or infected teeth. The doctor will note all the surfaces of the teeth—probing for pockets of tissue that are not firmly attached, growths or tumors, inflammation, bleeding, or mobile teeth—and will take x-rays to look below the gum line,” says veterinarian Stephanie Liff.
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