Cat Dental Care Guide: How to Keep Your Cat's Teeth Clean & Healthy

Quick answer: Dental disease affects 50-90% of cats over age four, making it the most common feline health problem. A solid dental care routine includes daily brushing with cat-specific enzymatic toothpaste, annual professional dental exams, VOHC-approved dental treats or diets, and watching for warning signs like bad breath, red gums, and difficulty eating. Early prevention saves your cat from chronic pain and can add years to their life.

Reviewed by Dr. James Chen, DVM — Board Certified in Feline Practice

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Here’s a statistic that shocks most cat owners: according to the Cornell Feline Health Center, an estimated 50-90% of cats over the age of four have some form of dental disease. That’s not a typo. The majority of adult cats are walking around with painful mouths, and most of their owners have no idea.

Dental disease in cats is a silent epidemic. Unlike dogs who often chew with visible enthusiasm and whose dental problems can be easier to spot, cats are hardwired to hide pain. A cat with a cracked tooth, inflamed gums, or a mouth full of tartar will often continue eating, continue purring, and continue acting “normal” until the disease has progressed to a severe stage.

The consequences extend far beyond the mouth. Bacteria from untreated dental infections can enter the bloodstream and damage the heart, kidneys, and liver. Chronic dental pain affects appetite, behavior, and overall quality of life. And the frustrating thing is that most dental disease in cats is preventable with consistent care.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about feline dental health — from understanding the types of dental disease cats face to building a realistic home care routine, knowing when professional cleanings are needed, and making dietary choices that support oral health.

Why Dental Health Matters More Than Most Cat Owners Realize

When we think about cat health, dental care often falls low on the priority list. We focus on nutrition, vaccinations, and parasite prevention — all of which are important — but dental health underpins so many aspects of your cat’s overall wellbeing that neglecting it creates a cascade of problems.

The mouth is a gateway to the body. When bacteria from plaque and tartar build up along the gum line, they don’t just cause local inflammation. They can enter the bloodstream through inflamed, bleeding gum tissue — a process called bacteremia. From there, these bacteria can seed infections in the heart valves, kidneys, and liver. Studies in veterinary medicine have drawn clear connections between chronic periodontal disease and organ damage in cats.

Beyond systemic health risks, dental disease causes chronic pain that degrades your cat’s quality of life. Cats with sore mouths may eat less, lose weight, become irritable, withdraw from social interaction, and stop grooming themselves properly. Because cats hide pain so effectively, these changes can be subtle and gradual — you might not notice until you compare your cat’s behavior over months and realize how much has changed.

The AVMA emphasizes that dental care is one of the most overlooked aspects of pet health, and that regular dental examinations and home care can dramatically reduce the incidence and severity of dental disease.

Understanding the Types of Dental Disease in Cats

Not all dental disease is the same. Cats are susceptible to several distinct conditions, each with different causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches. Understanding these helps you have informed conversations with your veterinarian and recognize problems earlier.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis — inflammation of the gums — is the earliest and most reversible form of dental disease. Healthy cat gums are pale pink and firm. When plaque accumulates along the gum line, the immune system responds with inflammation, causing gums to become red, swollen, and prone to bleeding. At this stage, the damage is limited to the soft tissue and can be reversed with proper cleaning and ongoing home care.

If your cat’s gums look puffy, are darker pink or red along the tooth line, or bleed when touched, gingivitis is the likely culprit. This is your warning signal — the time to act before things get worse.

Periodontal Disease

When gingivitis goes untreated, it progresses to periodontal disease — a more serious condition where bacteria invade below the gum line and begin destroying the structures that hold teeth in place, including bone and connective tissue. Periodontal disease is irreversible; once bone is lost, it doesn’t regenerate.

Periodontal disease is graded on a scale of 1 to 4, from mild inflammation to severe bone loss and tooth mobility. By stage 3 and 4, extraction is often the only option for affected teeth. The American Association of Feline Practitioners notes that periodontal disease is the single most diagnosed problem in small animal veterinary practice.

Feline Tooth Resorption

Feline tooth resorption (previously called FORLs — feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions) is a uniquely painful condition affecting an estimated 20-60% of cats. In this disease, the tooth’s structure is gradually destroyed from the inside out by cells called odontoclasts. The cause remains unknown, making prevention impossible.

Resorptive lesions typically start at or below the gum line, making them difficult to detect without dental X-rays. As the lesion progresses, it exposes the sensitive pulp cavity, causing significant pain. Affected teeth eventually become fragile and may fracture. Treatment involves extraction of the affected tooth.

Stomatitis

Feline stomatitis is a severe, chronic inflammation of the mouth that goes beyond the gum tissue to affect the entire oral cavity — gums, tongue, palate, and the back of the throat. Cats with stomatitis often have extremely painful mouths and may drool excessively, refuse to eat, paw at their faces, and lose weight rapidly.

Stomatitis appears to be an immune-mediated condition where the cat’s immune system overreacts to plaque bacteria. Treatment often involves aggressive dental care, anti-inflammatory medications, and in severe cases, full-mouth extraction — which, surprisingly, often provides the best long-term relief because it removes the surfaces where plaque bacteria accumulate.

Recognizing the Signs of Dental Problems

Because cats are experts at masking pain, dental disease often goes undetected until it’s advanced. Training yourself to watch for subtle signs can help you catch problems earlier, when treatment is simpler and more effective.

Obvious signs include:

• Persistent bad breath (halitosis) beyond normal cat-food smell
• Visible tartar — yellow-brown buildup on the teeth, especially the upper premolars
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Drooling or dropping food while eating
• Pawing at the mouth or rubbing the face against objects
• Facial swelling, especially below the eye (which can indicate a tooth root abscess)

Subtle signs include:

• Preferring wet food over dry food (because chewing hurts)
• Eating only on one side of the mouth
• Decreased appetite or gradual weight loss
• Reluctance to be touched around the head or face
• Decreased grooming, leading to a matted or dull coat
• Increased irritability or withdrawal from social interaction
• Chattering or quivering of the jaw

If you notice any combination of these signs, schedule a veterinary dental exam. Don’t wait for your cat’s annual checkup — dental pain is something that deserves prompt attention. For more warning signs to watch for, see our guide to common cat health problems.

Building a Home Dental Care Routine

The foundation of your cat’s dental health is what happens at home between veterinary visits. A consistent daily or near-daily routine can dramatically slow plaque accumulation, reduce tartar formation, and delay or prevent the onset of periodontal disease.

Step 1: Get the Right Supplies

You’ll need:

• Cat-specific enzymatic toothpaste — These use enzymes that break down plaque on contact, and they come in cat-friendly flavors like poultry and malt. Never use human toothpaste, which contains fluoride and xylitol (both toxic to cats).
• A cat toothbrush or finger brush — Cat toothbrushes are smaller and softer than human versions. Finger brushes (rubber thimbles with bristles) give you more control and are often easier to use with cats. Some owners find success with gauze wrapped around a finger.
• Treats for positive reinforcement — Essential for making the experience tolerable and eventually enjoyable.

Step 2: Desensitize Gradually

If your cat has never had their teeth brushed, diving straight in with a toothbrush will likely end badly for both of you. Instead, take a slow, systematic approach:

Week 1: Let your cat smell and lick the toothpaste from your finger. Do this daily as a “treat.”

Week 2: Gently lift your cat’s lip and touch their gums with your toothpaste-covered finger. Keep sessions under 30 seconds. Reward immediately.

Week 3: Introduce the toothbrush or finger brush. Let your cat sniff and lick it. Touch it to the outer surfaces of a few front teeth. Reward.

Week 4 and beyond: Gradually increase the area you brush, working toward the back teeth (premolars and molars), which are most prone to tartar buildup. Focus on the outer (cheek-facing) surfaces — this is where the most plaque accumulates, and it’s much easier than trying to brush the inner surfaces.

Step 3: Establish the Routine

Aim for daily brushing, but know that three to four times per week still provides substantial benefit. Choose a time when your cat is relaxed — after a meal or play session works well. Keep sessions short (one to two minutes is plenty) and always end on a positive note with a treat or affection.

For tips on making grooming routines more comfortable for your cat, check out our complete cat grooming guide.

Step 4: Supplement with Dental Products

In addition to brushing, several products can provide supplementary dental benefits:

• VOHC-approved dental treats — The Veterinary Oral Health Council tests products and awards a seal to those proven to reduce plaque or tartar. Look for this seal when choosing dental treats.
• Water additives — Some contain enzymes that help break down plaque. They’re not a substitute for brushing but can provide an additional layer of protection.
• Dental wipes — Useful for cats who absolutely won’t tolerate a toothbrush. They’re less effective than brushing but better than nothing.

When Your Cat Needs Professional Dental Cleaning

Even with the best home care routine, most cats will eventually need professional dental cleaning (also called a dental prophylaxis). Professional cleaning addresses what home care cannot — it removes tartar below the gum line, provides full-mouth dental X-rays to detect hidden problems, and allows your veterinarian to assess every tooth individually.

What to Expect During a Professional Cleaning

A thorough dental cleaning requires general anesthesia. This is non-negotiable — a conscious cat cannot be safely restrained for the detailed work required, and attempting to clean below the gum line on an awake cat is both dangerous and ineffective. Modern veterinary anesthesia is very safe, and the AVMA supports anesthetized dental procedures as the standard of care.

The typical procedure includes:

1. Pre-anesthetic blood work — To ensure your cat is healthy enough for anesthesia and to detect any underlying organ issues.
2. General anesthesia with monitoring — Your cat is placed under anesthesia with continuous monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and temperature.
3. Full-mouth dental X-rays — This is critical. Up to 60% of dental disease occurs below the gum line where it’s invisible to the naked eye. X-rays reveal root abscesses, resorptive lesions, bone loss, and other hidden problems.
4. Scaling — An ultrasonic scaler removes plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces, including beneath the gum line.
5. Polishing — After scaling, teeth are polished to smooth microscopic scratches left by the scaler, which reduces future plaque adhesion.
6. Assessment and treatment — Each tooth is individually probed and evaluated. Teeth with advanced disease, resorptive lesions, or root abscesses may be extracted.
7. Recovery — Your cat is monitored as they wake from anesthesia. Most cats go home the same day with pain medication if extractions were performed.

How Often Does Your Cat Need Professional Cleaning?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some cats with excellent genetics and consistent home care may go years between professional cleanings. Others, particularly those prone to gingivitis or resorptive lesions, may need annual cleanings.

Your veterinarian will assess your cat’s teeth at their annual exam and recommend professional cleaning when tartar buildup, gingivitis, or other problems warrant it. Generally, most cats benefit from their first professional cleaning between ages two and four, with ongoing frequency determined by individual need.

Dental Diet Considerations

What your cat eats can influence their dental health, though perhaps not in the ways you’d expect.

The Dry Food Myth

One of the most persistent myths in cat care is that dry kibble cleans teeth. The reality is more nuanced. Standard dry cat food shatters on contact with teeth, providing minimal scrubbing action. Most kibble pieces are small enough that cats swallow them with minimal chewing.

However, specially formulated dental diets do exist. These kibbles are significantly larger and have a unique fiber matrix that doesn’t shatter — instead, the tooth sinks into the kibble, and the fibers mechanically scrub the tooth surface. Several dental diets carry the VOHC seal of acceptance. Ask your veterinarian if a dental diet is appropriate for your cat.

For a comprehensive overview of what to look for in cat food, read our guide on how to choose cat food.

Raw Bones and Raw Diets

Some advocates suggest that raw bones provide a natural teeth-cleaning effect for cats. While there’s some logic to this — wild cats do chew through bones — the risks of fractured teeth, gastrointestinal obstruction, and bacterial contamination (Salmonella, E. coli) generally outweigh the dental benefits. Most veterinary dental specialists do not recommend raw bones for cats.

Wet Food and Dental Health

Contrary to popular belief, wet food is not inherently bad for your cat’s teeth. Dental disease is driven by plaque bacteria, not food texture. A cat eating exclusively wet food who receives regular brushing and dental care can have healthier teeth than a cat eating dry food with no dental care at all. Don’t let dental concerns drive you away from wet food, which provides important hydration benefits.

Special Considerations for Kittens and Senior Cats

Kittens

Kittens are born without teeth. Their 26 baby teeth (deciduous teeth) erupt between two and six weeks of age. These are replaced by 30 permanent adult teeth starting around three to four months of age, with the full set typically in place by six months.

During teething, kittens may chew excessively, drool, eat less, or have mildly swollen gums. This is normal. Provide appropriate chew toys and monitor to ensure all baby teeth fall out — retained baby teeth can cause alignment problems and should be removed by your veterinarian.

This is also the perfect time to start desensitizing your kitten to tooth brushing. A kitten who learns to accept brushing at 10 weeks old will be far more tolerant as an adult.

Senior Cats

Older cats are more likely to have advanced dental disease, including significant periodontal disease and tooth resorption. They may also have other health conditions — kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes — that complicate dental treatment.

However, age alone is not a contraindication for dental procedures. Pre-anesthetic blood work and careful anesthetic protocols allow most senior cats to undergo dental cleaning safely. Leaving dental disease untreated in a senior cat because of anesthetic concerns often causes more harm than the anesthetic risk itself. Chronic dental infections stress the immune system, worsen kidney function, and cause unrelenting pain.

Discuss your senior cat’s dental needs with your veterinarian. For more on keeping aging cats healthy, see our senior cat care guide.

Key Takeaways

• Dental disease affects the majority of adult cats — an estimated 50-90% of cats over age four have some form of dental disease.
• Cats hide dental pain. Watch for subtle signs like eating less, preferring soft food, decreased grooming, and behavioral changes.
• Daily brushing is the gold standard for home dental care. Use cat-specific enzymatic toothpaste, never human toothpaste.
• Start young. Kittens introduced to brushing early are far more tolerant as adults.
• Professional dental cleanings under anesthesia are the only way to clean below the gum line and detect hidden problems with X-rays.
• Anesthesia-free cleanings are not recommended by the AVMA, AAFP, or any major veterinary dental organization.
• Standard dry kibble does not clean teeth. Only specially formulated dental diets with VOHC approval provide meaningful mechanical cleaning.
• Untreated dental disease doesn’t just hurt the mouth — bacteria can enter the bloodstream and damage the heart, kidneys, and liver.
• Build a multi-layer approach: Brushing + dental treats/diet + regular professional cleanings = the best protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I brush my cat’s teeth?

Ideally, you should brush your cat’s teeth every day. Daily brushing is the gold standard for preventing plaque and tartar buildup. However, if daily brushing isn’t realistic for your household, aim for at least three to four times per week — this frequency still provides meaningful protection against periodontal disease. Even brushing two to three times per week is significantly better than not brushing at all. The key is consistency and making it a positive experience with treats and praise.

Can I use human toothpaste on my cat?

Absolutely not. Human toothpaste contains fluoride and xylitol, both of which are toxic to cats. Fluoride can cause nausea, vomiting, and in larger amounts, serious organ damage. Xylitol, a common sweetener in human toothpaste, can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar and liver failure. Always use enzymatic toothpaste formulated specifically for cats — these come in flavors like poultry, malt, and seafood that cats actually enjoy, and they’re designed to be safely swallowed since cats can’t rinse and spit.

How much does a professional cat dental cleaning cost?

A professional dental cleaning for a cat typically costs between $300 and $800, depending on your location, the veterinary practice, and the extent of work needed. This cost usually includes pre-anesthetic blood work, general anesthesia, full mouth X-rays, scaling, polishing, and recovery monitoring. If extractions are needed, costs can rise to $800-$2,000 or more depending on the number and complexity of teeth removed. Pet dental insurance or wellness plans can help offset these costs if purchased before problems develop.

What are the signs of dental disease in cats?

Watch for persistent bad breath that goes beyond normal cat-food smell, red or swollen gums, drooling, dropping food while eating or chewing on one side only, pawing at the mouth, reluctance to eat hard food, weight loss, facial swelling, and visible yellow-brown tartar on the teeth. Some cats also become withdrawn or irritable when they have dental pain. Because cats are masters at hiding discomfort, subtle changes like eating less or preferring wet food over dry food may be the earliest signs you notice.

Do dental treats actually work for cats?

Dental treats can provide some benefit as a supplement to brushing, but they should never be your only approach to dental care. Products with the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of acceptance have been tested and shown to reduce plaque or tartar. However, dental treats work primarily on the teeth they contact during chewing — they won’t reach all surfaces the way brushing does. Think of dental treats as one tool in a toolbox that also includes brushing, dental diets, and professional cleanings.

At what age should I start brushing my cat’s teeth?

Start as early as possible — ideally when your cat is a kitten, around 8-12 weeks old. Kittens are more adaptable and will accept tooth brushing more readily than adult cats who’ve never experienced it. That said, it’s never too late to start. Adult cats can absolutely learn to tolerate brushing with patience and a gradual desensitization approach. Begin by letting them lick the toothpaste, then progress to touching their gums with your finger, and slowly introduce the toothbrush over days or weeks.

Is anesthesia-free dental cleaning safe for cats?

Veterinary dental organizations, including the AVMA and AAFP, do not recommend anesthesia-free dental cleanings for cats. While the idea of avoiding anesthesia sounds appealing, these procedures can only address visible tartar above the gum line — they cannot clean below the gum line where the most damaging periodontal disease occurs. Additionally, restraining a conscious cat for dental work causes significant stress, and the inability to take dental X-rays means serious problems beneath the surface go undetected. Modern veterinary anesthesia is very safe, and the benefits of a thorough cleaning far outweigh the minimal anesthetic risk.

Sources

1. AVMA - Pet Dental Care
2. Cornell Feline Health Center - Feline Dental Disease
3. American Association of Feline Practitioners - Practice Guidelines
4. Veterinary Oral Health Council