Should I Brush My Cat’s Teeth?

[@hastip.5852]

Our cat actually loves the brushing teeth thing. Every night at 7 pm he goes and sit in the bathroom & waits for it lol

[@emilia3310]

Wow 😁 That's so cute!

[@92417]

Is it something you have done since your cat was a kitten ?💗

[@hastip.5852]

@@92417 We started when he was 3 & use baby toothbrush with cat toothpaste. He didn't like the plastic toothbrush. Every night after I brush his teeth, I give him a big kiss & I think it helped lol

[@92417]

I don't think any kind of bribery or treat would convince Toby to allow it. He's 10 now and the vet seems happy with his dental health. Thanks for the reply.🐾💗

[@ghada9957]

That must be a very tasty toothpaste lol

[@ItsMeHeatherT]

I wrap my cat like a burrito and brush her teeth daily. The vet wanted to take all her teeth out but with brushing daily, the red gums have subsided and she actually chews on the toothbrush herself.

[@Ravengal101]

Please post a video of the burrito wrapping. XD

[@danielvanzandt4238]

Do you use corn or flower tortillas? I hear the cats meat tastes better if you lather the meat with bacon grease. Also some barbeque sauce.

[@Antiguanian]

For humans using coconut oil heals infection. Esp. Oil pulling. Applying might help heal. Diet is very important. Lots of vitamin k and c and magnesium

[@simhussain6447]

i wish burrito wrapping worked for me!!, my cat just locks his jaws shut, no matter what i try only dental gel works cuz i can squeeze it in even if he refuses to open his mouth, i got him at 4-6 months his previous owners never brushed his teeth, or fur, no baths or ear cleaning so getting him used to things is so hard

[@colleena.hirsch7127]

Dear ItsmeHeather, First of all I think that you made the correct decision and not having your vet pull all of your cats teeth out. I feel that it would be a very, very painful procedure as well as being cruel and very very expensive!! However, I have to commend you for coming up with the idea of letting your cat playing with the toothbrush and chewing on it I think that's a great idea. I had two sibling cats who passed away about 2 years ago and I miss them terribly. When they would let me do it, I would brush their teeth, they didn't seem to mind it, however as I stated it was on their terms. Thank God that they never had any dental issues and they lived to be in there twenties. I am adopting two new new cats, and I'm going to try to brush their teeth, but if they don't let me do it I'm going to try and do what you're doing which is letting them play with the toothbrush and chew on the bristle end. I think that's a great idea. colskitties2.

[@TJ-kz1ul]

I have one marshmallow cat who will let me do anything to him, including brushing his teeth. My other cat...well, I have too much self-respect for my arms, hands, fingers to go near his mouth with a toothbrush. He's made it very clear he will never, ever let that brush enter his mouth without a claw attack.

[@chandrashekharpaliwal1071]

Second cat is kinda savage

[@PetrSojnek]

@@chandrashekharpaliwal1071 Also known as "normal cat" :D

[@finlayarts2686]

If your second cat likes to chew on things perhaps leaving brushes out and around might be a good thing. We don't try to brush our cats' teeth but we do have lots of brushes and toys for them to chew on.

[@tenadefiant]

🤣🤣🤣 sounds like me when I try to give my cat a bath😩🐾

[@tee3219]

@@finlayarts2686 good idea 😻

[@BusterKitten]

true story... couldn't figure out why sometimes my toothbrush was damp when I'd brush my teeth. I noticed it several times and it seemed to happen when one particular grandson would spend the night with us. I assumed he was using my toothbrush to brush his own teeth so it didn't bother me too much. One evening he said that Boris, our rescue puppy didn't like the new toothpaste we had bought... I got a new toothbrush.

[@Hannah-zw9ow]

That’s so funny 😂 one of my cats likes toothpaste too! Disclaimer: I do not feed him toothpaste i always make him stop when I find him licking it

[@tenadefiant]

🤣🤣🤣

[@patriciashaw1984]

That is funny.

[@BusterKitten]

@@patriciashaw1984 when he told me all I could do was laugh, my wife did the explaining of why we don't do that.

[@coredadventure1]

😂😂

[@timriehl1500]

Dang; it's hard enough to clip his claws; I don't need another fight.

[@kyleannhuskin3152]

Seriously. One of my cats (unfortunately the one with an over it and more dental issues) won't even let me trim her nails. She sleeps with me every night and always wants to sit next to me, but she won't even let me try to hold her. She uses scratchers and seems to do okay without nail trims.

[@simhussain6447]

@@kyleannhuskin3152 my cat is the same he won't let me trim his nails, I've done the slow process of touching paws getting him used to me touching his nails but as soon as he sees the clippers its impossible he just won't cooperate, so i do it when hes sleepy or asleep no problems

[@toriless]

@@simhussain6447 I had problems but I make sure all their other feet are on the floor (do not try and hold them so their feet are off the ground, they will fight more) and give them treats after each foot is done. Both those factors helps. I also do both cats at the same time doing the easier one first so they can see the other one getting treats. You will have to stop them from trying to steal treats from each other but that is pretty easy to do.

[@monique2891]

@@kyleannhuskin3152 Try to clip nails while they are sleeping.

[@anna.318]

Have you guys tried clipping you cat's claws while they're sleeping? That's the only way I can trim my cat's nails! If I try to touch his paws while he's awake, I'll get my hand bitten off lol

[@staceynoffke]

What a relief. I started watching this video thinking I was gonna feel like a horrible cat mom, but I feel relieved instead. Thank you!

[@TiffanyDiManno]

You won’t feel this way when you’re dealing with your cats dental health years down the road.

[@ModatherAbozaid]

Yea me too, I felt like a horrible cat dad until Jackson said he isn't going to do it, I was relieved 😅

[@zoponex3224]

If you can afford regular professional dental care, nice. But you do do want to endnup with a cat who needs all his teeth pulled. It's a terrible, expensive thing.

[@indigoround217]

I feel better now. My cats won't tolerate it at all.

[@renebrown995]

Exactly. Wrapping her up at 16 yrs. Old and easily traumatized. I just can't see me fighting her to brush her teeth. So vet cleaning it will be.

[@melfuz]

Agree!

[@char6081]

My sisters is almost a year old and I wanna start brushing his teeth so it doesn’t affect him when he’s older

[@renthestray]

I adopted an 8 year old cat a year ago, and I now brush her teeth daily with no issues. I do it right before her evening meal, and she knows the routine. She doesn't love it, but she's calm and tolerates it just fine. It hasn't had a negative impact on our relationship at all. I'm sure with some cats it would be more challenging, but I honestly think it's doable with most. For me, it's been way easier to get my adult cat used to teeth brushing than other routine things like giving medication, claw trimming, or brushing parts of her body she's not a fan of.

[@machineman6498]

Good call. We will try this.

[@toriless]

I hope you are not trying to brush her belly.

[@cutie4417]

Cute ❤

[@acatspectator]

that's amazing! my adult cats dont like it. Hopefully the kittens will get used to it

[@amandatracy6137]

I trimmed half the bristles off a normal toothbrush with a boxcutter. After I started petting her cheeks with it, she started wanting to chew on it, so I can just rotate it when she does.

[@mridutikku2890]

Mine likes playing with the toothbrush ones in a while

[@heidibedoya]

I might try with a toddler’s toothbrush 🪥😳 see how it goes! 😆😼

[@DrunkenRhyin]

My Vet actually told me she stopped recommending brushing for cats, because so few cat owners she's dealt with were able to successfully brush their cat's teeth often enough to make a difference. She instead recommended a specific dental cat food called T/D to me and we're hoping that that + Greenies will help make a difference. She also told me that if I buy any oral cat products, to only buy things that have the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) Seal of Acceptance, because otherwise what I buy might actual be snake oil as there's no regulation around making sure the products actually help our cats.

[@anne9358]

Thank you for passing along the information that the vet told you. Very helpful and I appreciate it! 🐈❤

[@DaytonaGrey-RS5]

IDK about Greenies. I gave my cat greenies as directed on box for a few years. Those last few years had my cat lose 6 teeth. The only thing I changed in that time was adding Greenies; both the dental treats and later the fur and dental treats. The vet said that Greenies do absolutely nothing beneficial to cat's teeth as they usually just swallow them. My cat did, in fact, chew, as they were too big to swallow(the whole point). But I have stopped giving him the dental treats and minimizing his dry food. I usually only give wet food with tiny amount of dry food for times I am not around.

[@MsBiz888]

I never brushed my first 3 cats who now passed away. They all lived long lives around 14 to 17 years. Only one had a teeth problem at the end. She lived up to 17 yrs. I miss them very much

[@foxwaffles]

I volunteer in cat rescue and we use something called Maxi Guard. It is a liquid you can rub quickly onto their gums. Doesn't beat brushing but it has greatly improved some of our special needs cats' gum conditions. Cut off the tips of a glove or buy finger cots, drip a drop or two onto the glove, and rub a dub dub

[@sawakenbake]

This is awesome. I saw the topic and thought “hell no, I’m not shoving my fingers into their mouths”. Glad to see Jackson is feeling the same.

[@FromDawn2Dusk]

Just a heads-up, having to put them under anesthesia for a thorough cleaning can be a problem depending on the cat. It's good to take into account other health issues the cat may have (talk to their vet). In my personal experience, my 3-year-old cat was recommended by her veterinarian not to undergo that kind of cleaning until the dental situation becomes a bit of a more serious problem because she has chronic kidney disease and the anesthesia could further harm her kidney. So, in cases like this, it could be more beneficial to try to make the at-home cleaning work, as long as it doesn't stress the cat too much. Their veterinarian will be able to tell you what's best.

[@nicoledebace]

Same. Our boy has a heart murmur. Going under for cleanings is not recommended.

[@sillysasuages]

My cat has to be sedated just to be examined because of the virus, we are not allowed to be with him and he loses the plot without us, he's very attached to his two humans and would rather everyone else leave him be. It's quite worrying because they can't touch him, so I guess gauntlets, towels, burritos, crush cages come out which doesn't help for the future. Before it all kicked off, we attended the appointment with him and he was fine, but I'm not sure that's going to be the same after this whole thing calms down as he got sedated twice in a day for a urinary blockage issue. He was supposed to be there for 4 days, he lasted barely 24 hours. And tomorrow he's gotta go in for a sedation mouth thing because we have to go very slow with attempting to brush because any stress can cause a relapse of the blockage or a uti. When he gets stressed, we have to go and get pain meds so he can pee without pain. So it puts you in a rock and hard place. Sedation is worrying but gotta avoid stress and sometimes "stress" for him is unavoidable because he hates any kind of new furniture for example. It freaks him out when our old book shelves were falling apart and we needed new ones for example. Having your cat sedated will always be a scary thing, whether they're "healthy" or not. You always have to take your individual cat into the equation. It's so hard!

[@rodrocks100]

My cat has feline leukemia virus and just found out she has gingivitis. I’ve tried brushing twice now and it’s nearly impossible. Any advice?

[@FromDawn2Dusk]

@@rodrocks100 I'm not really qualified to give proper advice in your cat's situation. It's always best to seek their veterinarians advice. That being said, with my cats we are trying to change their dry food into wet food, I've heard a few vets saying wet food isn't as bad for their dental health (and overall health, really) as the dry kind, so you could try that, also there are some kinds of cat treats that function as a chewy cleaning device for their teeth, though my cats hated every single one of those so I can't vouch for their efficiency.

[@n.y.f2490]

Chronic kidney at 3 years old??

[@chelseagirl278]

PLEASE everyone here brush your cat’s teeth at least once a week. I lost my best friend and fur baby of 13 years, Posh due to her developing a dental disease and died within a month. I beg all of you! 🙏

[@hegelmoment7130]

so sorry for your loss :(

[@chelseagirl278]

@@hegelmoment7130 thank you 💐

[@kismyc0untryazz-491]

@@chelseagirl278 My heart aches with you. I understand your pain all to well, my fur baby, Nellie, passed last September due to heart issues, he was 17 years old. I had no idea he was having problems. It wasn't until after he passed, in discussions with his vet, that I started to realize the VERY suttle signs that he was having heart problems. I hate how well cats hide their pain and illnesses.

[@chelseagirl278]

@@kismyc0untryazz-491 thank you for your kind words. i miss her and think of her everyday and i even talk about her to my other kitty cats so they don't forget about her. i know they remember her as when i say her name, they perk up and meow. i know i will see her again. as you will see your Nellie. BIG HUGS!

[@jydeinden]

@@chelseagirl278 Im sorry for your lost, but 13 IS a high age for a cat, and even if you brush their teeth they could have died from something else :). Im not gonna stress my cat and risiking my fingers in that proces... :)

[@TheNinthDoctor]

Yeah, my cat hated having his teeth brushed until he realized it came with a dollop of chicken-flavored cat toothpaste. He's such a greedy little beast that he'll put up with a brush going into his mouth without protest, if it tastes good!

[@elanalevin6934]

which brand does he like?

[@k.morningstar7983]

same. we have a supply of petrodex, which has a malt-flavored toothpaste and a brush. dude meows when he sees the toothbush come out and he consents to about 15 secs of brushing his back teeth

[@TheDanielle12345]

I am so glad to hear your opinion about this. Both of my cats are 8-9 years old, and I’ve tried so many times to brush their teeth. I’ve tried to introduce it as gently and slowly as possible. They hate it so much. They have fought me every time. I would have to take them one at a time in the bathroom and shut the door so they can’t escape, and then try to wrap them and do it quickly while they were fighting me the entire time. I got bitten so badly once that I thought it was going to get infected. I eventually gave up on trying, and I have always felt so bad about that. But I just don’t feel like the trauma and stress that I have to put them through, and the bites and scratches that I have to endure is worth it. Not to mention, like you said, I don’t want them to flinch every time I come near them and worry that I’m going to try to do something to them. I’ve had their teeth cleaned at the vet a couple of times, and they are both going to have them cleaned again this year. That’s the best that I can do 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@madethistocomment727]

I brush one boy's teeth about once per week, because they were in BAD shape when I adopted him. He's a sweetheart and let's me do almost anything as long as he gets cuddles afterwards. I have 8 kitties total and he's the only one who gets his teeth brushed. Everyone else gets the dental gel. The vet says everyone's gums are healthy.

[@sloanep9409]

Hi, my cat have chronic gingivitis/ stomatitis, had to have some of his teeth removed and the vet asked us to brush his teeth...It was horrible and end up in everyone in the house crying so we stopped. Now our vet gave us a liquid solution called Oxyfresh, to mix with the water, it is supposed to kill bacteria in the water and clear the mouth when the cat is drinking. It is very helpful for us, hope it may help some of you too.

[@bunnipop1867]

I was actually just looking into that gel! I wasn't too sure what to do because my cat hates the teeth brushing thing, so when he mentioned gel I instantly looked it up. Hopefully I can find some for the dogs as well! Glad it's worked for you~

[@dcwatashi]

How long have you been using it and have you noticed a difference? My vet is recommending a product called perio support which you sprinkle on their food

[@sloanep9409]

@@dcwatashi We also tried little powder to sprinkle on his food but it did not worked for us because the smell of the sprinkle was repulsive to our cat so it did not help. The oxyfresh product that I use now is a water additive, not a gel. I am using it since a year now, and I do not know exactly if it is working well but I do know that since I use it, I do not clean his teeth anymore and that the water additives do it for me. It is also good for my others pets as they all drink from the same bawls, it ensure all of them have clear teeth :)

[@dcwatashi]

@@sloanep9409 I will look at the ingredients because my cat has kidney disease and he is the only one who drinks water

[@kayd731]

My cat has a nor very severe case of stomatitis and only has like 3 teeth left so...😂

[@brittanylesnick4820]

Been conditioning mine everyday to do it and work up to really getting in there. They have been doing good, they dislike it a lot but have actually been more affectionate to me since doing it. I think they know we are looking after them and the extra treats and play time for reward have helped.

[@MichelleW]

Thanks for the real talk Jackson! Here’s what I do to maintain my cat’s teeth: 1. All meals are wet food instead of dry food 2. Limit crunchy treats 3. Use enzymatic cat toothpaste as a treat 4. Let him gnaw on his toothbrush covered in cat toothpaste by himself 5. Feed a raw chicken neck as a meal every week or two.. I hold onto one end and let him chew on the other side. 6. Sprinkle a little kelp from the pet store on his food sometimes. 7. Regular vet checkups. (So far he’s young so he’s never needed a professional cleaning, but I’ll do that if he needs it.) With one of my last cats we used Virbac C.E.T. chews daily and she had great teeth for her 18 year life! I want to introduce these to my new cat but he is has a very sensitive stomach so I’m going to wait until he’s older. :)

[@aloozahra]

Ive been searching for those virbac treats and learned that theyre discontinued :( a lot of customers are complaining about the new treats not being as good as the old ones. Any idea if theyre still sold somewhere out there?

[@MichelleW]

@@aloozahra Oh dang!! I don't know that. I just Googled it and don't see the cat ones anywhere. Dang. I might write to the company and see if the dog ones might be okay for cats.

[@beatriciasong9977]

i was literally thinking about the whole tooth brushing thing today for my newly adopted cat and this is uploaded, thank you very much jackson galaxy :>

[@TeacherProduced]

THANK YOU for this! I have felt so guilty for not doing the brushing. I cut nails, play daily, research the foods I give them, decorate with cat mental health in mind (my mother thinks I have gone overboard) but I dont brush. I felt like I was neglecting something huge in favor of my bond with them. I appreciate knowing I am not alone.

[@RA-fw5yc]

You can always give a raw (not cooked cause it’s dangerous) bone to help with the dental health.

[@chibamoon6410]

My little ragdoll got FIP when she was just a kitten. We had to medicate her daily, one dose with a needle just under the skin. Despite the crying and doing it at the same time every day, she thankfully never hated us for it. She is still this loveable little thing. She still hasn't finished treatment, but we've moved onto pills and she's doing much better. All this to say, your cat might not hate you if you do brush its teeth or have to give them meds. There is hope.

[@KR-zp4bq]

Thank you for mentioning stomatitis! It’s not often I hear cat advocates bring it up. I kept up with good dental hygiene for my young stomatitis cat and got professional cleanings, but it wasn’t enough to keep her pain-free. Now she has zero teeth, but is happier than she has ever been✨

[@loes3161]

We put a scoop of 'Plaque Off' on our cats dinners 2 times a day. It is a powder made of algae and helps to dissolve the plaque and prevents new plaque formation. It really helps! My cats don't like me brushing their teeth. But when I rub their cheeks I also try to massage their gums through their cheeks. Up to this point it has worked really well for us

[@BlueBirdsFIy]

i started both my kittens young. i always shoved my fingers around their face and mouth and they got used to my touch. then i would feed them the cat toothpaste on my finger and they thought it was a treat, then they don't exactly like the toothbrush (nobody likes something like that being shoved in their mouth) but luckily it only takes less than 30 seconds for each kitty and when they are done, they start crying and begging for another dot of toothpaste! hahaha they love it so much. gonna save me a lot of vet bills related to dental disease, and the cats seem much healthier with shiny white teeth! i'm a bit more cautious because my eldest cat of 21 years had a lot of dental issues and pain and passed away last year (i was not living in the house and my parents were caring for her), and i just dont want to put a cat through that ever again..

[@BeaSilvey]

I was Googling yesterday about brushing my cats teeth and then boom .. a few hours later Jackson Galaxy uploads a video on it 🤯 incredible!

[@katlover2222]

I would love to see you Vlog with your cats and see a “day in the life of Jackson Galaxy” ❤️

[@lizzzarduh]

Yes and see his feeding schedule with his cats!!

[@yasijazzmin1198]

The only realistic video around brushing teeth everyday. Thanks for being honest and real!❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@saraquill]

Three of my cats lost teeth to decay, so I’m diligent now about brushing.

[@giabarrone7422]

Can I ask what their diet is like? I have never had that problem with any of mine. I am curious if it is just luck with all these stories....

[@jydeinden]

@@giabarrone7422 Many cats have problems with their teeths specially because there in alot of cat food is sugar :S

[@tlctlc9283]

What are you feeding them

[@B888-h2o]

@@giabarrone7422 Me neither, had cats over 15 years. None had dental problems and they had vet visits so I don’t know how peoples cats teeth end up in such bad condition

[@giabarrone7422]

@@B888-h2o Same. 15+ cats, no brushing, regular vet visits…..and never tooth issues. I wonder if it is an effect of wet food? That was only a rare treat in my house.

[@transcendkira]

When I first heard about brushing cats teeth I was super confused, it's not something I've ever seen here in Australia, but it seems somewhat popular in America, Korea, Japan and other countries by what I see online. Regardless, dental health is still super important, and I think here we generally use dental chewy treats or toys or bones which can also work well. It's how most animals retain some dental health in the wild, even humans started out by chewing hard materials like bone or wood or bark. So there are other methods if your cat doesn't want to take to toothpaste.

[@Kittyheavenwith21cats]

I have 21 cats. Theres no way im adding brushing daily but yes to additives and all those other things in between cleaning.

[@TheZoeBird]

I put off watching this video for so long because I was honestly afraid to be scolded by Jackson for not being great with brushing my cats' teeth. I was pleasantly surprised. There is one thing that I felt he didn't really address which is the cost of dental cleanings. Vet care is fairly expensive here so at minimum I'd be looking at about $1,000 for the procedure (including xrays, pain meds) every year. If any extractions are needed, it adds about $150 per extraction. So, while I do agree that brushing daily may not be ideal, addressing dental health with dental cleanings can be very unaffordable. It's also a horrible quagmire of conflicting information. On the one hand you have people who never clean their cats' teeth or have dental cleanings, and their cats are fine. Then you have vets saying they need daily brushing or annual cleanings to prevent painful dental disease. It's very confusing to know the best, more efficient way to approach dental care. I'm going to share some of the things I've learned after heavy research that I hope may help others reading this. Dental care, in some form, IS important. However, it's not as important as some might say. It's only due to modern human dentistry that we have the expectation that people (and pets) should have no cavities, no tooth loss, no tartar buildup. Up until the last 100 years, people lived with cavities. Their teeth fell out eventually, or were maybe pulled out if the pain was bad enough. They had gingivitis and tartar. And they lived with it as a part of live. Yes, historically healthier diets were better for teeth, but it's not like our ancestors or wild cats are free from dental disease. But still, anyone who has had sore gums or an untreated cavity knows that while it's tolerable, it's not FUN. We don't want our cats living with that if we can avoid it, and we hate that sinking feeling when our vets mention "she has significant tartar buildup, do you want to schedule a dental? Here's your estimate ranging from $900 to $2,200, plus she'll need bloodwork and xrays." Then we get the dental done and start buying products that promise to clean teeth without brushing. We buy toothbrushed and cat toothpaste knowing full well we're going to forget about it after the first week. We get chew toys and wonder why our cats aren't gnawing on them. Then we forget entirely until the next time we go to the vet and they say "she has significant tartar buildup again, do you want to schedule another dental?" Lather, rinse, repeat. There's this vibe with dental care that it's all-or-nothing. Either you brush their teeth every day, or you get dental cleanings, or do you do nothing. But it's NOT. All those measures I mentioned above that don't work? They DO work. They just don't work all that well individually. But combine them together and you have yourself a system that you, your cat and your wallet can live with. Toothpaste and toothbrush Cat toothpaste is enzymatic, meaning it will soften plaque for easier removal. That means you don't have to reply on 2-minutes of scrubbing with a brush to remove all plaque. So, get a toothpaste your cat likes, and use your fingertip to wipe it on their teeth. It's far less invasive than a brush, and helps a little. There are also silicone toothbrushes with 360-degree heads. They are softer, and use a gentle mechanical action to remove some plaque. Cats may even kind of gnaw on them and you can gently move the brush around to reach more tooth surface. Chew toys Most cats don't chew like dogs. They are not going to gnaw on a toothbrush-shaped toy for an hour. But they will probably gnaw on a toy they have caught. There are chew toys for cats with mesh material - attach one to a wand toy, play with your cat, and let them chew on it when they catch it. If you do this right after applying toothpaste, that'll help even more. Even a thick cotton rope (like for macrame) with knots tied into the end and bounced (under supervision only) around may encourage gnawing. Raw meat and bones This helps too. Find something your cat likes, and give them a big hunk of it once a week. I give my cats a raw chicken wing once a week. Snake oil additives Water additives and food powders - they're not entirely snake oil! They don't keep your cat's teeth perfectly clean, but they do help in preventing plaque accumulation. Dental cleanings Word to the wise: it's cheaper to get cleanings done more frequently, than to get cleaning+extractions less frequently. Ask your vet to let you know when they're due for a cleaning, but before they look like they will need multiple extractions. Proactive extractions When your cat is approaching senior status, ask your vet about doing proactive extractions with their next cleaning. If your cat is susceptible to severe dental issues, this can prevent a lot of future dental procedures. Cats do very well without their teeth (though it's preferable to leave the canines if possible).

[@stephaniecrahal5336]

My cat did not do well without her teeth. I regret it to this day. She died 6 years ago. I also now avoid anesthesia whenever possible with my current cats and keep it as short in duration as possible, because she also got kidney failure after the anesthesia to pull out all her teeth. It was a 4-hour long procedure, and cat's jaws can also break during this. Fortunately, her jaw was okay, but she was not. Her mouth was filled with stitches, and she wouldn't eat. She was in pain. She had to be hospitalized. She eventually recovered (not from the kidney damage) and could eat, but some of her bone was not covered by her gums when all the sockets healed. I'm sure it was very painful, and she needed anesthesia again to file the bone down and stitch the gum over it. It was also so sad to see her try to eat without teeth and try to groom herself. She would gum at her skin and could not clean her claws without her teeth. Cats use their incisors for scraping their nails clean. They use their teeth for so many things you wouldn't think of.

[@ashleywu3586]

I started brushing from when my kitty was 3 months. Now every day around 5 she reminds me it's brushing time.

[@mdsf01]

Since changing the toothpaste flavour from fish to chicken my Lily has gone from a weekly brushing which she grudgingly allowed, to almost a daily occurence. Now I can find her practically every day lying in the upstairs bathroom sink, where I do the teeth brushing (and a weekly exam - eyes and ears) waiting to get her teeth brushed.

[@FACKOFF-rh4dh]

Both of our cats (around 7 years) have been through tooth resorption and have had to have teeth removed costing us over 3 grand in total. We started brushing every other day and they eventually got use to it. In short we wish we were brushing from day one and maybe the tooth resorption could have been prevented.

[@stephaniecrahal5336]

Have you had any more tooth resorption since brushing?

[@Smorgasbord.]

I appreciate your honesty. As a plus, I also appreciate that your hesitation matches my own feelings. All light and all love... always.😻

[@noomikifarkis9062]

We adopted a former stray and he doesn't mind having his teeth brushed every night. He actually asks for more very time I remove the toothbrush. It's worth a shot because you never know how they will react. 🙂

[@norapadar7373]

What kind of brush do u have?

[@noomikifarkis9062]

@@norapadar7373 A small toothbrush for kids. 😊

[@catlady6210]

That bone advice will really help out with my cats. Thank you so much for it

[@LoveKittiesLoveDoggos]

If I Noticed any of these Signs Should I be Concerned? Yes. Neglected dental disease will eventually lead to serious health problems such as periodontal disease (weakening and loosening of the teeth due to infection), dental abscess, and halitosis (bad breath). Once infection has set in, it is easy for bacteria to enter the blood stream and infect other organs, such as the liver, kidneys, and heart. How can the Health of my Pet’s Teeth and Gums Lead to Heart Disease? This occurs because the gums have a rich blood supply. (Have you ever noticed how easily your gums bleed sometimes when brushing your own teeth?). When an infection occurs in the gums and tooth sockets, it’s very easy for these bacteria to gain access to the bloodstream. The body’s immune system can successfully combat this infection in most cases, but the heart valves are especially vulnerable. A blood-borne infection originating in the gums and lodging in the valves of the heart often causes permanent damage, and may eventually lead to heart failure. How can the Health of my Pet’s Teeth and Gums Lead to Liver Problems? The liver is one of the main organs in charge of cleansing the blood of impurities such as the bacteria that gain access from the diseased gums. When gum disease is chronic, the liver has to work overtime and can become stressed. In some cases this can lead to an actual bacterial hepatitis. How can the Health of my Pet’s Teeth and Gums Lead to Kidney Problems? When your cat acquires an infection of the gums and tooth sockets, a small “war” starts in which the “soldiers” from the pet’s immune system (the antibodies) attack the bacteria (the antigen) and this results in complexes (the antibody bound to the antigen) which float around in the bloodstream before they are cleansed from the body. Compared to other things in the blood (red blood cells, white blood cells, hormones, minerals, protein molecules, etc.) these antigen/antibody complexes are huge structures and, because of this, the kidneys have a difficult time filtering them from the blood stream. Occasionally one of these huge antigen/antibody complexes will lodge in one of the microscopic tubules (the filtering structures) of the kidney leading to the death of that tubule. Fortunately the cat has thousands more of these tubules in the kidney so that the kidney can compensate for the repeated loss of these tubules (the filtering structures of the kidney) for months and often years. However, if the original cause of these antigen/antibody complexes (in this case the persistent gum infection) is allowed to proceed long enough, it will eventually result in the loss of enough of these tubules that the kidney simply “wears out” prematurely and is no longer able to function properly. This leads to kidney failure and premature death. Kidney failure is the leading non-infectious/non-accident related cause of death in dogs and cats.

[@TheShellga]

My 2 cats have FIV and so are more likely to get stomatitis and gingivitis so I brush their teeth every night

[@jessicabarczewski1910]

My FIV cat died under the anesthesia while getting his teeth cleaned. I tried to do everything I could to keep him healthy cause of the FIV and in the end I still lost him.

[@eliw3261]

Carbohydrates cause dental problems such as cavities and gum disease. Research Weston Price Foundation and Rami Nigel. People who ate traditional diets had straight teeth and zero cavities or gum disease. They also didn't brush their teeth or have access to dental care. Teeth naturally yellow with age. Cats are obligate carnivores. In nature they don't eat sugar and never get cavities. They might experience a broken tooth or injury as a result of an accident. Please make sure your cat is eating a biologically appropriate carnivore diet and leave your cat's teeth alone.

[@kaylajude8855]

@@jessicabarczewski1910 i’m so sorry

[@tlctlc9283]

@@jessicabarczewski1910 im so sorry.....

[@saoirse31]

Never been able to brush any of my cats’ teeth, and I haven’t tried to push it because, like you said, I don’t want to break down trust! I supplement with raw bones and they’re just fine. I know that lots of raw-feeding communities recommend cutting raw food in chunks so that the cats can gnaw on it and naturally clean their teeth (like the lion in the video). Not everyone has the time or energy to make raw food, but bones are easy to get!

[@annesophieg-n]

what kind of bones do you give? i want to try this with my cat too!

[@TheDanielle12345]

I’d like to know what kind of bones you get too!

[@tanatribe]

My cat eats whole drumsticks, my Siamese lived to 16.5 and had I never brushed his teeth , it’s the raw diet that helps

[@fujia3246]

Everytime I try to brush his teeth, I give him some treats, it's not easy, and if he doesn't like it, I stop. Your video is a relief.

[@LoveKittiesLoveDoggos]

I read the comments and I feel really sad to see that some of you would not brush your cats’ teeth. For those of you who think it’s a hassle to brush your cat’s teeth, please google pictures of “cat dental diseases”, “cat oral ulcerative”, “ cat stomatitis”, “cat periodontal” to see how painful for the cats to have dental problems! Please do your research to see how the tooth and gum infection can affect their livers, hearts and kidneys. For example, periodontal disease in cats is one of the most common and serious cat health problems which affects approximately 70% of cats by the time they are 3 years old! Periodontal disease is an infection caused by bacteria found in dental plaque. Periodontal disease develops quickly. It takes 24 hours to develop plaque, 3 days to develop tartar, and 2 weeks to develop gingivitis. Please gently open your cat’s mouth and gently lift the cat’s lip to see it for yourself. Check if they have red gums due to inflammation, check if they have tartar or gingivitis. Cats do not tell their hoomans when they are in pain and cats are very good at hiding pain, many times we don’t even know they are in pain, please take good care of your cat’s dental health if you truly love your cats! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@marih3286]

I feel better now, thank you. I adopted a year old rescue a week ago. I have redesigned my apartment and she has settled in nicely. She is not however going to let me stick anything other than food into her mouth. I'll pay the vet to clean her teeth.

[@susanwilson9241]

Thank you for this. Finally, someone who balances quality of life against health. Yes, health is important - very important - but we don't do absolutely all we can to ensure our own top health at the expense of all else and our cats shouldn't have to either. There needs to be a balance. Earning a cat's respect and developing a trusting bond is equally important - within reason. I agree with Jackson, if you get your cat's teeth professionally cleaned by a dentist with anesthesia, you can skip the home brushing.

[@eydnamortensen5985]

I completely agree with you. I adopted a four year old dog. He had been spoiled rotten by the previous owners and not in a good way. He was fed human food and was overweight and his teeth were in horrible condition. He had to have 11 teeth pulled. I tried my absolute best to train him to allow me to brush his teeth. But it never worked. He would literally pucker up his lips in refusal. He was a good boy, but very stubborn. He is now in heaven and I miss him. Rest In Peace Cody, my goofy good boy

[@colleena.hirsch7127]

Dear Edyna, I'm so sorry for your loss of Cody. Poor fur baby; but at least he's not in pain anymore. I know it's easier said than done. I know what it's like when you lose your baby. ❤️❤️😿🙏 Please know that he is in a better place, pain free!! He's also playing with all of the other animals / cats in heaven. Someday you will both be together again. Once again, my prayers are with you. Colleen H.

[@charcoalanderson8010]

Jackson is so cool! 😎 I'm learning so much stuff to prepare for getting my very own kitty soon! Thank you for providing us with all this free knowledge.

[@ayjee6405]

I’m fortunate that my kitty’s “jackpot” treat is the chicken flavor cat toothpaste. She fusses a bit, so her brushing sessions are short, but the promise of being able to lick the tube before and after keeps her coming over whenever I pull the supplies out.

[@kentduryea1741]

Cats weren't born with a brush attached for cleaning their teeth. God created them without the need for doctors. If a pet gets in trouble with their health it's because they are treated like humans. Fed human food with sugar in it. Not allowed to roam free. Taken in for needless regular checkups for "preventive" care. Doctors can't prevent a damn thing. Can make matters worse though with unnatural medicines that have side effects. Let your cat live free. If he/she likes you then they'll stick by you til God's fate for them arrives. My indoor/outdoor cat is now 19 having been to the doctor only once. It was also the last time. When I asked about why he charged a fee for a rabies shot I didn't request he said it was the law. I said fuch that government bull and never returned. Just keep your cat fed with proper natural foods, protected from the weather and given a warm home. Best advice I can give from personal experience and principles. It's worked for me and my beloved Brownie since '03.

[@MsrKSDisque]

Thank you Jackson for making this video! This helps me know how to best take care of my cats.

[@angi80]

I know a lot of cats that have been able to learn through clicker training that tooth brushing can be a fairly positive thing, but one of the key things that makes it possible or a struggle seems to be if you can find a cat toothpaste that they actually like the taste of. Cats that never find one, it's always gonna be a struggle even with training because you're sticking something gross in their mouth (this is my cat unfortunately, he will put up with it because he knows he gets treats, but he's not really okay with it so we've eased off on it) but I've seen a lot of cats where with clicker training and a toothpaste that they like the flavor of combined, they are eager to allow it. I'd say it's a conversation between you and your cat even more than you and your vet, lol

[@hannahbelle567]

I feed my cats raw and once a or twice a week they get meat on the bone- usually rabbit or pigeon- they’re 4 now and the vet always compliments me on how good their teeth are- I think a combo of the raw and them having meat on the bone really works well and we never have to brush teeth :) xx

[@joesfamilyfarm]

Thanks Jackson, I appreciate your perspective on this.

[@rosemarmalade2444]

I brush my old lady cat's teeth because she's 10.5 now and during her last dental (the first one I owned her for) in August, they vet told me they heard a murmur... I'm not comfortable taking the chance with anesthesia anymore between her age and the murmur. She tolerates its pretty well! She doesn't love it but she is very docile about being handled even though she's always been shy.

[@aubreymyers1984]

I'm so relieved to see this video. I've been feeling bad about not brushing my cats teeth but he absolutely HATES it.

[@melverys]

8:02 I thought he was gonna say “that’s a discussion you have between you and your cat”

[@katrinkarlsdottir]

I just got both my 16 year old cats back from having all their teeth extracted. We are serving soft foods and healing well. We had been getting annual teeth cleanings, but iflamation came on fast and strong. It hurt them to eat.

[@vestcoat]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! For your honesty! “That is all I am willing to do and not risk breaking the bond between me and my cat”…..the brushing, the pill giving, the poop scooping, the frequent meals a day….Whew! The last thing either I or my kits need at the end of the day is me sticking a foreign object covered in some processed goo in amongst those very sharp teeth and attempting to actually clean all of kitty’s teeth…while the cat is thinking WTF!? This is the MOST SENSIBLE advice I have heard regarding should I brush my cat’s teeth?! Leave that to the professionals…under anesthesia…..and kitty will forgive you in a day or so. Sticking your fingers in his/her little mouth day after day after day….I believe, sets you up for a lot of feline resentment. I feel SO MUCH better now…And just tossed the finger brush and way too hard bristle cat toothbrush in the trash. Thank you Cat Daddy! Meow from me, Maybe and Adelaide (15 and 10).

[@swankyyankee]

Hey Jackson, Thanks for answering my question! You always are welcome to come visit if you are ever in New England!

[@IstanbulCats]

hello Mr. Jackson, good luck with your side I feed stray cats every day, try to heal them, neuter them, I will spread it all over the world 🙏

[@We_Are_All_Vultures]

♥️

[@IstanbulCats]

@@We_Are_All_Vultures 🥰🥰🥰🙋‍♂️

[@emilycampbell6375]

i hear that istanbul has a lot of stray cats that love to wander, that's wonderful that you're taking care of them :)

[@IstanbulCats]

@@emilycampbell6375 Thank you very much, you know correctly, I wish you healthy days

[@ginak8203]

Our raw fed babies have wonderful teeth! The cats have had zero complaints, and my 5 year old dog got hers complimented 😍 4 year old rescue dog is on raw and had good teeth to start with so they should be good for some time too

[@tgsedabca1445]

Angel & Spirit had their teeth scraped every three months kept their teeth perfect or close to it. Doesn’t cost that much but made a huge difference. They didn’t need to be sedated, just a quick teeth cleaning & go!

[@lecutter9382]

Two main problems with this not mentioned? Time. I have 5 cats. I don't have the time or energy to be rounding up/chasing down 5 cats every day to wrestle with them to brush their teeth. Even if it was easy and they enjoyed it it still amounts to a lot of time and energy. Professional cleaning? Cost. I don't have a spare $200-$400 - per cat - to get their teeth professionally cleaned once a year. Dental care, don't feed them this or that or the other thing. It all starts to get insane - and insanely expensive too. It's great to try and help animals out - wild or domesticated - but there are limits to what you can do and what you can afford and no one should feel guilty or stressed because they aren't doing more, or more especially, spending more. I honestly find the whole pet industry pretty infuriating. So much marketing is created to create fear and guilt by not spending top dollar on your precious "fur babies". And most of it is just gouging. Explain to me why buying a human grade bone broth for cats runs $10-$15 on average for the same thing that costs a human $2-$3 in the grocery store. Raw goat milk? $10-$15 in the pet store. Pasteurized goat milk in the grocery store - $3-$4. And less processed food costs less to produce and they charge more for it!!! Why is a can of chicken and broth $4-$5 when I can make the same thing at home using chicken thighs and some broth for less than $1 for the same portion of food? I want my cats to have a good life but I'm not going to be guilted into spending every minute and every dime I have on them in order to facilitate that. Most of us don't even do that for ourselves so why should our pets be any different? Into every life some rain must fall.

[@tiredwfelines8929]

I don't think there's any shame in not brushing your cats teeth, I however do it daily (unless I'm sick) on a routine; and brush her fur daily as well, we've been doing this for about a year and she does not flinch when I go to pet her or any such thing. Our bond remains tight. I don't really have to hold her down or apply force either. We use a small toothbrush; not the little finger thing, as I find I can be more precise with the brush and the bristles and she does not mind it neaaaarly as much. She does get uncomfortable obviously, but gets over it immediately as soon as we're done, and onto trick training. (Her routine is: brush fur, brush teeth, trick training, playtime, breakfast, then of course small portions/mealtimes throughout the day and harness walks outdoors when possible. /Food ofc not being dry, treats being plain boiled chicken, cut up.) I pet her whisker pads a lot and she doesn't give a hoot. I will note though; aside from raw bones, Whole Prey is a wonderful addition to not only dental health, but nutritionally as well, and arguably better in this area than bone alone. Sites like Hare-today stock whole prey for feline consumption as well, and depending on your local laws - and provided you do the research - you can even breed your own whole prey. (Typically this is quail, mice, rats, etc) But again, check with laws, and do adequate research to ensure that you do so ethically and responsibly. EDIT: From reading the comments - I forgot to mention, we use C.E.T Poultry Flavor cat toothpaste and she goes nuts for it.

[@Sarah_theog33]

Glad I found this, I adopted 2 10 year old rescues last year and I have been trying to clean their teeth every day, but it's really hard and they absolutely hate it. I've started putting plaque removal in their food and I'm going to start a dental spray. They absolutely hate the brush and they hate me afterwards

[@caty9995]

Lol Sarah, I know how you feel . Plus not everyone has the money for vet to clean cat's teeth and if you think it's expensive in the United States, Canada is even more expensive when it comes to veteranarians. Good luck and God bless.

[@PodSerMulherr]

OMG THANK GOD YOU DID THIS VIDEO! I was asking myself all this week is I should brush my future cat’s teeth!! 🐾🐾🐾 thanks

[@terrymcfarland809]

Please read some of the comments where people are successful with their cats. We started out with cat toothpaste we got on Amazon and had them lick it. Our vet said even that is helpful. Then gradually we started to rub his teeth and gums. He likes it now. We don't use a brush

[@viewoftheaskew]

I just taped a toothbrush to a cabinet at the right height and my one cat brushed his own teeth lol. Works with a hairbrish too so they can brush themselves when you're gone.

[@TheLesExit]

I watched this video a few months before adopting my cat and it made me decide to no worry about brushing his teeth. Almost a year later the vet said she saw tartar forming and that I could try treating his water to help with it. I decided to try brushing his teeth. And now I find this video so strange because my cat loves getting his teeth brushed. When he hears me open up the bathroom cabinet he literally comes RUNNING XD. In my case, my cat is incredibly food motivated. He loves the toothpaste and so to him getting his teeth brushed is just like a treat. I also feed him dinner right after to further help him associate it with a positive experience. Now, we are on a schedule where his teeth are brushed every day. But not all cats will be like this. Still, I think it's worth a try

[@kathyvallee3859]

My late kitty got into a routine with brushing her teeth. I did it in the washroom. I’d start with the dog first and kiwi would walk in, sit on the toilet seat and wait for her turn. It was a really sweet experience with the two of them that they enjoyed. I miss them both 💕

[@picorrow]

Aww, that sounds so sweet.

[@GermanShepherdDaphne]

I try she let's me but her mouth is very small. I have a mint gel for cats that I got and her teeth look fine. She's 10 so I try my best to keep em clean. I do give her greenies that help as well

[@dreamwalker2518]

Try the virbac c.e.t. brush kit for cats, it comes with a very small white angled toothbrush with long bristles that is perfect for cats (I use these too) and an enzymatic toothpaste (get the poultry flavored one)

[@GermanShepherdDaphne]

@@dreamwalker2518 I did buy that one and one called vets best it came with a oddly shaped brush. I tend to find using a Q tip to rub the garter off helps along with the mint.

[@dianaharris3777]

When my kitty is done eating after play time I wait for his sleeping mode. That's when I trim his nails. He always sleeps right beside me so it's easy. I've always did this with all my cats an kitties. No stress on them and no fight.

[@furraticbehavior8494]

Yeah, I've got 4 cats. It's just too time consuming, and it honestly doesn't seem to do enough anyway. They eat raw bones about twice a week and it's kept their mouths nice and healthy. I also take them to a woman who does anaesthesia-free dental cleanings, and she's amazing.

[@lizzzarduh]

How do I find one these anesthesia free dental cleaners?

[@furraticbehavior8494]

@@lizzzarduh In my area, we have one that comes to the local groomer once a month. There is also a vet clinic who does it, and another individual person. I suggest just looking it up, and calling around. And then asking about their experience and testimonies to make sure they are good.

[@JK-tk8tj]

What types of bones do they eat?

[@furraticbehavior8494]

@@JK-tk8tj Typically turkey or chicken necks. Sometimes chicken backs, when I can find them. I have also given small chicken wings, but the necks are easier for them, especially my older girls who didn't eat raw until they were 5 or 6. My younger boys have grown up on them, and they are ravenous. They chow them down in a minute or two. You could try chicken paws also, just cut the claws off. My girls don't like them, so I don't feed them. Another thing to try is whole mice or chicks. (Not live, of course.) I just always make sure I am present and watching them while they're eating any bones, just in case. Haven't ever had any issues, though.

[@JK-tk8tj]

@@furraticbehavior8494 and have you done something to persuade order cats into eating those bones? I have 2 5-years-old ones and they rarely want to eat anything raw, so I'm wondering it they be interested 😅

[@mmcmsp]

I think it causes too much stress. I take my cats to the dentist every year and whenever they need cleaning or anything that needs treatment they get anesthesia and have procedure done. From my experience, all cats come back happy and I feel happy that they are treated without being mad with me!!!! Also it's super important to watch out for the quality of food they have. It makes a huge difference. Loved the video!!!

[@10tonhamster]

Liking the “lockdown” beard as a change; more distinguished, less rockstar.

[@dcwatashi]

In some of his other videos he's really thin and almost not looking very healthy. Was he ill at some point?

[@fastsigns4825]

Same!!! Loving this look much better

[@mamabear0106]

I agree with you, Jackson. Back in the day, we never brushed our cats' teeth and they were just fine. They lived long lives with no health issues. I tried with my cat, and he doesn't like it manually. However, he has this thing with an electric toothbrush (yes, he has his own!), so if I can get him to brush his teeth that way - fine. If he doesn't want it done, that's fine also. :)

[@melodyarobinson7199]

I really lucked out w/ my baby Dulci- she lived 18 years- never brushed her teeth or had a teeth cleaning and the Vet was amazed at the good health of her teeth to the very end. She would not have let me dare try and put something in her mouth.

[@sshaw70]

Can I ask what you fed your cat?

[@TheDanielle12345]

@@sshaw70 I’m wondering this too!

[@melodyarobinson7199]

@@sshaw70 -Sure- She ate only Iams dry for first 10 years of her life-Then per Jackson's advise- switched her over to just wet food. She was a Tabby. I really think she just had good genetics though..

[@sshaw70]

@@melodyarobinson7199 I think it has a lot to do with their food too, though. I am proof of that. I have always had issues with my teeth...lots of fillings over the years, root canals, crowns, extractions, and bridges!!! Anyway, I stopped eating sugar and carbs that turn to sugar for the last 6 years (I have fallen off occasionally) but I have had NO issues with my teeth since!! That, for me, is like a miracle!! Our kitties get good quality dry and wet food and one has not had any real issues, but the other did have some where they thought we should get her teeth cleaned, but then we did a step up on quality for their dry food and her plaque issue got better! They are 8 yrs old. We give them instinct dry food and Wellness wet food.

[@ScottRedstone]

We’ve gotten our cat used to chomping on a tooth brush. I use Churo paste which he loves on the brush. I’m glad you said once a week may be sufficient. We already have three scheduled play periods each day. He needs his alone time as much as I do.

[@curtriceennis2924]

Thank you Jackson for sharing this video with us. My vet suggested I have our cat's teeth cleaned because of tartar buildup. But, we just can't afford the cost it would be, though. I hope I can get my baby used to having her teeth brushed cause I got her as a stray, and, don't know if it's ever been done for her .

[@Spamhard]

This is so reassuring. I adopted my first ever cat a few months ago (2 year old black cat), first vet visit the other day and he asked if I was brushing her teeth. And I asked should I be?! And he said yes daily! At the moment we can't even trim her claws at home because she's still a little skittish, so the concept of trying to do her teeth is concerning me. Plus the reason I took her to the vets for them to do her claws was because she and I are still getting familiar with each other, and I didn't want to rush into manhandling her with this stuff too quickly. At the moment I'm doing my best to respect her space and let her understand she can come to me for affection, I don't wanna be the person chasing her around to trim her claws or stick a brush in her mouth, and I fear if I only try and do these things when she approaches me, she'll just stop approaching me. She's getting a lot more confident and familiar so I guess I'll buy some cat toothpaste and just see what her thoughts are about it. Maybe she'll surprise me and LOVE it. But thanks Jackson for easing my fears! The vet saying I should be doing it daily made me feel real guilty.

[@TheMrBlakeN]

I think an important point that wasn't brought up regarding oral health is you cat's diet and supplement intake. High carb diets are bad for people and especially cats. Clean quality nutrition negates many health side effects.

[@LittleKittyCat]

What do you feed your cat?

[@TheMrBlakeN]

@@LittleKittyCat It's still an evolving process for us, but as we've figured out best so far. We get chicken liver, heart and gizzards from the butcher's and pressure cook it. Then grind, portion and freeze leaving it in large containers in the fridge overnight after grinding so meat has time to reabsorb the fat and moisture. That's dinner, currently working on how to best prep for morning meal time because we do no free feeding. I have an older lady who struggles with indigestion and doesn't hold weight well who does get a all natural all meat mid day wet food. I know a lot of people push the whole raw thing but I can't sit and watch 7 cats to make sure they are not dragging raw chicken all over the house. An important thing is to make sure the calcium is balanced with the phosphorus. I'm still trying to learn more on what upper limits are on the micronutrients which is hard to find the right studies that don't only speak to what's minimally required. We do a dry in the morning and keep 3 water sources in rooms different from where we feed to support water intake as best we can. Goal for morning meal is to work towards breast for some variety. Again cooked in the pressure cooker.

[@bananamanchester4156]

Thanks to your advice, I was able to get a little bit of dental gel on my cats teeth today! Great progress considering she is an adult cat and we only got her six days ago :) lots of playing and treats have turned her from a sad little loaf into a happy bouncy kitty!

[@darkessraven]

It may depend on the situation. Rachel and Jun used to brush once a week for their cats but the youngest who loves his teeth brushed got his front tooth broke and got removed. They were also told he had lots of plague so they do everyday brushing. They recently got a bone for their food crazy cat to chew on since he likes to eat while doesn’t like his teeth brushed

[@ghosttabby1373]

I’m glad you covered this subject, it’s something that’s been on my mind. I have a young cat - not quite two - who I’m transitioning to a raw diet. Yesterday he finally agreed to eat a chicken neck (raw), phew! This morning I had occasion to take him to the vet (not dental related) and was told he has a little plaque on his teeth, so hopefully he continues to accept necks and wing tips to help with this. I would like to keep things as natural as possible - cats in the wild never had access to a toothbrush - so I’m unsure about brushing his teeth. But in the end, I will do what I need to do in order to keep him healthy.

[@Peace4Love4Smile]

I usually brush my cat's teeth every day whenever I mouthwash (I have 2, mostly used silicon one and bamboo for thorough brushing once a week) My cat tolerates it and it didn't really make a huge negative impact. Afterwards, I immediately brush her fur since she loves when I brush her with a comb as her reward. She had dental issues in the past before I adopted her so I had to be cautious. I will think about dental gels and even the chew bones 🤔

[@moxifruvous]

Thank you. I too feel better about not brushing my cats' teeth. They were adopted with "issues" and brushing just is not happening. I felt like a terrible cat parent. But, I can do the once a year vet dental cleaning. Thanks Jackson for telling it like it is for some of us.

[@ytl6406]

I brush my cats teeth every day and now every night he’s waiting me in the bathroom, for teeth brush. Which is funny because I want t be lazy sometimes but he’s just not letting me......

[@lena-mariag.louis-charles3579]

You GO, kitty!

[@LunaticTheCat]

It probably feels good for your kitty :)

[@cynthiahadley3917]

We love Jackson! 😘 That would be expensive to pay for yearly dental cleanings for all of your cat dolls! It was over $200 to have our one cat’s teeth cleaned. And she didn’t have too much plaque bc I do clean her teeth each day. You are so right abt the psychological association of hands and teeth. But, one time I did have to pay extra for removing an incisor due to an abscess. I was able to find a dental clinic that does not anesthetize. They requested I give her some relaxer pills and they wrapped her in a warm blanket. The procedure was a success.

[@GermanShepherdDaphne]

I wish my dog would let me trim her nails like my cat does. My cat is so chill, she flops over and let's me trim her nails.

[@Nikki-lodeon]

Cooperative care! There are lots of resources and videos about doing cooperative care nail trims. Contact a Fear Free certified trainer if you need extra help. Fear Free trainers are specialists in teaching animals to be comfortable with ALL KINDS of husbandry, from blood draws to nail trims. It's not impossible, but it does take some knowledge and patience.

[@amandathomas182]

Same here. My cats are so chilled, but the dog is a right drama queen.

[@GermanShepherdDaphne]

@@amandathomas182 love this comment ❤️ my dog is definitely a drama queen too

[@jrox6091]

I just had to euthanize my precious cat, Ghostie, due to kidney failure from not drinking water because of horrible teeth infection. I feel guilty for not realizing what was happening before it got so bad. He was nearly 6 and should have had many more years. His buddy, our little 2 1/2 year old, is depressed without him and I am determined that he not suffer the same fate. I bought an extra soft baby toothbrush and will try to brush his tiny teeth on a daily basis. He's pretty docile, so maybe he'll accept it. But..I intend to discuss it, and other options, with his vet next month.

[@soka227]

i'm sorry for your loss

[@midnightkitty8172]

Here's something really cute: THEY MAKE MEAT - FLAVORED TOOTHPASTE FOR CATS !

[@limiv5272]

Sounds more disturbing than cute, but ok

[@TheZoeBird]

My cat loves it! She will run up to the tube when I bring it out to brush her teeth.

[@dea.0909]

Oh wow, do you have a recommended Brand?

[@b2rhianna]

@@limiv5272 why disturbing?

[@limiv5272]

@@b2rhianna I love meat, but the idea of turning it into a paste sounds kinda horrible, then I imagine that combined with the flavor of an average toothpaste and it sounds absolutely disgusting

[@RedChicow]

Thanks Jackson for this video, I’ve been hesitant on getting my first cats (yep I’ll get 2) for a couple of months now. Seeing others videos about daily teeth brushing was an hurdle. I guess feeding the best wet natural:raw foods and regular vet visits and their advice is best 😊

[@MobileMusic]

My vet said “many cats lose all their teeth by the time they are 3”! Oh no, I will let that happen to my kitty. So I trained her teeth to be brushed every single day - it is over 2 years now and she knows the drill. Her teeth are in great shape. I use cat toothpaste and a baby brush and it only takes a minute a day! Some people think I’m crazy to brush my cat’s teeth but I ignore them. Remember, cats are kings and they are also PERFECTIONISTS. They lick and groom themselves 24/7 and they are the CLEANEST animals. They even lick their own butts after they pee and poop because their stomach can stand their own bacteria! No wonder they lose their teeth by 3. Brushing is the least we could do for them.

[@abdelrahmanalsaid3630]

first of all, using bones is better second they are the fifth cleanest and also I've seen many cats that never cleaned their teeth (feral) bc they eat bones and are 3+

[@lilllisal]

MobileMusic I've had many cats over the years and not one of them lost all their teeth by 3 or 13. None of them had their teeth brushed.

[@MobileMusic]

@@lilllisal not every cat is the same. I’m doing what my vet advised me to do and I get compliments for their condition. No need to brush the inner side of their teeth as their scratchy tongue keeps their inner sides clean. I target outer sides - front and side molars. I had two boy cats 15 years ago and I never brushed their teeth because I did not know it.

[@MobileMusic]

Cat toothpaste is only 6 or 7 bucks and it lasts 5-6 months. It takes a very little toothpaste and they swallow it.

[@destinychild4659]

@@lilllisal I have never seen any cat to lose all their teeth at the age of 3. Sounds ridiculous.

[@SM-lg3mn]

Thanks for your advice. I will just take them to yearly cleanings :)

[@lacrosse.captain]

I brush my cats teeth probably 4 - 5 times a week. The other nights we brush fur. He always gets treats afterward so even though he doesn't really like to brush his teeth, he actually comes and gets me because he wants the treats.

[@nancygranjo1121]

My cat Indie will let me brush her teeth for a tasty treat(temptations)that I promise after brushing😸

[@MrJasonb06]

It really depends on the cat. We started brushing our cat’s teeth with the toothbrush which came with the CET tooth cleaning kit when he was around 1 year old. We literally put him on the bench and brush his teeth without the need to wrap him up. He has never protested. It’s worth a try.

[@daniellebuckopigster]

my cat has periodontis at a year and half years old and she had extractions today and i'm under specific instructions to brush their teeth daily. this is is gonna be such a difficult process and i'm worried for our trust

[@ambervigil6228]

Both of my cats get annual dental cleanings. One of them happens to have FORLs so regardless of brushing, she has needed extractions. Even if you brush your cat's teeth, sometimes loss is unavoidable. So don't beat yourself up if your cat has bad teeth. :)

[@clarissasanches653]

My two cats let me brush their theeth, we do it daily in the morning routine. But I'm just lucky that they are sweet and calm, they let me do almost anything to them, also I adopted them when they were only 2 months old, so much easier then most of people's situation. But everyone could at least try, in my humble opinion, that's a good preventive measure.

[@mallymay9439]

Thanks Jackson! This has relieved my guilt!