Dr Vicky’s Best Cat Dental Care Tips That Can Change Your Cat’s Life

Your cat may be hiding dental pain right now, would you know it? Cat dental care matters for one reason—it hurts.

There are no obvious symptoms, but once it’s treated, we see these cats behave like kittens again. This is exactly what spurs me on to keep talking to all my feline families about cat oral health.

Why Cat Dental Care Needs Real Action, Not Gimmicks

What is one thing that I want you to know about looking after your cat’s teeth at home? Here it is: if it doesn’t physically rub against the tooth, it’s a waste of time.

Water additives and food powders may sound convenient, but they cannot scrape the complex biological community known as plaque off your cat's teeth.

Worse still, water additives can change the taste of water, leading some cats to drink less and risk dehydration.

Sprinkling dental powders on food also lacks the mechanical action needed to remove plaque. Plaque hardens into tartar within forty-eight hours, so daily physical action truly matters.

The Gold Standard Diet for Feline Teeth

Something that I think we often forget is that cats don’t have any functional chewing teeth. Let that sink in for a moment. Have you ever seen a cat vomit after eating their kibble? Do you notice it comes up ‘unchewed’?

Cats eat like ducks—they grab their kibble, throw it back and swallow it whole.

This is one (of many) reasons relying on dry food for oral health is flawed. If we are going for a biscuit to help with feline oral health, my absolute favourite is Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d. It uses a large biscuit that forces chewing, which cats rarely do naturally.

The kibble is hard on the outside and soft on the inside, like a toffee apple. This lets the tooth sink in without crumbling, scraping plaque from both sides beautifully.

Treats, Natural Diets, and Smart Support

Dental treats with the VOHC seal (Veterinary Oral Health Care Council), for cats Greenies are my favourites, and they help when fed daily. They will complement other oral health strategies, like diet and brushing.

Emerging studies link high-carb dry foods to tooth resorption and gum disease, as they fuel acid-producing oral bacteria. Whilst raw or natural diets support cleaner teeth through lower carbs, higher moisture, and better saliva flow.

This is a new and developing area of review, but I am very excited and not at all surprised - this is definitely a space to watch.

I’m genuinely excited about the potential of natural, home-cooked, or whole-food diets to set young cats up for lifelong oral health.

If you’re considering a fresh diet, don’t do it alone — speak with us at the clinic so we can guide you safely and avoid nutritional gaps.

The Best Thing You Can Do at Home

Daily brushing is the most powerful tool, and just one minute once a day truly makes a difference. Plaque cannot survive regular mechanical removal from tooth surfaces.

For cats, I prefer using a square of gauze over bulky brushes or finger sleeves. Sometimes we add flavoured paste or antiseptic gel for positive training.

• Use gentle gauze wrapped around your finger
• Brush gently across the teeth once a day
• Reward immediately with a high-value treat
  
  

Train Gently and Watch for Pain

Start slowly over four weeks, building comfort step by step. Taste, touch, wipe, then brush once your cat feels safe.

If you see jaw chattering, bleeding, or sudden food refusal, stop immediately. These signs often mean painful resorptive lesions needing urgent vet care.

Final Thoughts From Me to You

Professional dental cleans still matter because only vets can remove tartar safely and identify some common yet unavoidable feline oral health problems, like tooth resorption. But your daily effort at home is essential to protect your cat from lifelong pain.

If brushing feels impossible or you’re curious about fresh diets, we’re always happy to guide you gently and safely. Together, we can help your cat enjoy a comfortable, healthy smile for life.