Brushing your cat’s teeth is not really easy, especially if you have a kitty that has never been accustomed to the feel of bristles across its teeth and gums. But to brush your kitty’s teeth is a must to help prevent tartar and plaque buildup which can lead to tooth decay. While brushing a cat’s teeth is not easy, there are ways in which you can simplify the process. One of these is by using a cat toothbrush. Ensuring optimum cat dental care is made easy with the best cat toothbrush in the market. To help you avoid making the wrong choice, we’ve prepared this list of the best cat teeth cleaning brushes you can use on your kitty.
The Best Cat Toothbrush
Made of only the finest quality, FDA-approved materials, this cat finger toothbrush from H&H easily stakes its claim as the best cat toothbrush in the market. Not only are you getting a single finger dental brush, you’re actually receiving 8 of these babies. It’s the perfect feline dental cleaning solution for households with multiple kitties.
Unlike other brands of feline toothbrush, the curved profile of the brush head allows for a gentler yet equally effective cleaning of particles and debris off of your pet’s teeth and gums. It easily fits over fingers with ring sizes between 4 and 7. It is small enough that it may even be a great kitten toothbrush. Most pet parents prefer finger brushes than those with handles because of the greater control these afford. They allow for more efficient cleaning of your pet’s teeth as you can easily anchor your other fingers onto the jaw of your pet while a finger manipulates the brush on the teeth and gums.
8 FDA-grade finger toothbrushes
Durable, soft, and flexible nylon bristles
Brush head comes with curved profile
For ring sizes 4 to 7
60-day money-back guarantee
- Brand: H&H Pets
- Weight: 4.8 ounces
If you’re looking for greater versatility in terms of providing for optimum cat dental care, RosyLife’s package of 8 kitty toothbrushes should be a good choice. There are 4 dual head toothbrushes and 4 finger toothbrushes. The dual brush head design is perfect for multi-pet households. Unfortunately, if you only have kitties in your home, then you may not have any use for this part of the long-handled, angled dual brush head.
Good thing RosyLife also includes 4 finger brushes that are made of pet-safe, FDA-approved silicone material. They’re easy to fit over one’s fingers and come in 4 different colors. It’s an ideal solution for those with multiple cats in the household so you can easily assign a particular cat finger toothbrush for each kitty.
4 angled dual brush head toothbrushes
4 super-soft silicone finger brushes
Long and slender toothbrush handle
100% satisfaction guarantee
- Brand: RosyLife
- Model: WONGS-12
- Weight: 0.64 ounces
Designed to reach in areas where finger toothbrushes cannot go, the long-handled toothbrush series from Pet Republique is a great option for pet parents who don’t like using a cat finger toothbrush and sticking this right inside their cat’s oral cavities. The long and slender handle allows pet parents to reach at the back of the mouth where one’s finger may be too stubby to reach.
The dual brush head may not be practical, however, if you only have kitties in your household. Now if you have a Maine Coon, a Savannah, or even a Chausie, then perhaps you can use the large brush head. But if you have a Singapura, a Cornish Rex, or even a Munchkin, then you’re left with only the small brush head.
6 angled dual brush head toothbrushes
Extra-long and slender handle
Soft and gum-friendly bristles
100% satisfaction guarantee
- Brand: Pet Republique
- Model: FBA_Pet-3330
- Weight: 3.2 ounces
Ideal for those with cats of all ages and kittens. The smaller head of this brush will provide you with a good range of motion as you go about your brushing business. Able to reach all the teeth without causing your pet discomfort is just one of the benefits to this dog toothbrush from H&H Pets.
As well as this, the super soft bristles are ideal for teething kittens, and will help their adult teeth grow in, with the best possible health. Added to this is the fact that these soft bristles will be able to effectively reduce plaque and dental problems, and how you they come in a multipack, and you’ve got a great choice for your cat’s toothbrushing needs.
Super soft bristles
Designed for smaller breeds
Great for puppies
- Brand: H&H Pets
- Weight: 3.21 Ounces
One of the best cat toothbrush products you can ever buy especially if you’re on the lookout for a more conventional type is this dental care implement from Kittyteeth. The name says it all. It’s a kind of cat toothbrush that is especially designed for cats’ smaller oral cavities, smaller teeth, and sensitive gums. The bristles are designed just right to effectively remove food particles and even brush off plaque without causing discomfort for your pet.
It comes with a traditional single brush head design with stubbier three-quarters of its handle for optimum control. It’s a lot better than the long and extra-slim handles of dual heads as you get to rest your thumb on a groove on the upper section of the wide handle. The neck narrows down to accommodate its small, slightly diamond-shaped brush head with 3 rows of super-soft bristles. The height of the bristles is also made relatively shorter allowing for better removal of debris and particles off of your pet’s teeth surface.
Polished, ultra-soft, short toothbrush bristles
Small brush head
Thicker handle for better control
BPA-free construction
- Brand: Kittyteeth
- Model: FBA_CAT
- Weight: 0.6 ounces
If it is unique and eco-friendly you’re looking for the Woobamboo is here for you. Featuring an eco-friendly design integrating sustenably-grown Moso bamboo as the source of its wooden handle, the Woobamboo not only appeals to eco-minded pet parents, but also those who would like their pets to experience a different kind of cat teeth cleaning.
The bamboo handle comes with a very unique shape that resembles the silhouette of a bottle of Coke. This is primarily to give your hand much better control of the brushing motion. The small head is almost indistinguishable from the neck. You only know that it’s the brush head because of the presence of the colorful bristles. The neck is also angled at about 15 degrees so you’ll reach even the back of your pet’s mouth.
Eco-friendly toothbrush handle made of Moso bamboo with non-toxic, natural finish
Soft and recyclable toothbrush bristles
Packaged in recyclable and recycled materials
- Brand: Woobamboo
- Model: OK0009
- Weight: 1.6 ounces
Although a visit to the veterinarian is the best way to get tartar removed, you bet that the New Dual Ended Long Dog & Cat Toothbrush is the next best thing. Just like in humans, tartar also deposits itself on the teeth of cats. In fact, it is very common in the feline world and is formed by food residues and deposits of bacteria and salivary components. This deposited plaque – which is still easy to remove – hardens after a while and forms the tartar. Luckily, with the New Dual Ended Long Dog & Cat Toothbrush, your furry friend will be blessed with a brand new smile. It offers super soft bristles that enable you to gently and easily remove dirt, plaque, and debris from your pet’s mouth with little to no discomfort.
And as it comes available in two separate sizes, you can be sure to have your beloved pooch enjoying the gains of the uniquely designed product. Regular brushing with this product will keep your pet’s mouth healthy – tartar buildup, bad breath, and other tooth-related problems will be a thing of the past.
Built with premium pet safe materials
Dual ended long brush
Soft bristles for less discomfort
Packaged conveniently in a cannister
Design helps access hard to reach areas in the mouth
- Brand: Bodhi Dog
- Weight: 1.2 pounds
The CET cat toothbrush is one of the best cat toothbrush products that many pet parents have been using for many years. It has a very simple and straightforward design complete with a really small and rounded brush head that is lined with soft yet sturdy bristles. The small features of the CET cat toothbrush can never be underestimated as it can work wonders in optimum cat teeth cleaning.
Perhaps the only issue you may have is its price. Considering that you’re only getting a single piece of cat toothbrush without any added bonus, it may come out as rather expensive. There are no distinguishing features that can make it really stand out, except perhaps for its unpretentious design that really works. If you’ve got a solo top cat at home, the CET cat toothbrush should really be your best solution for optimum cat dental care.
Small brush head
Soft toothbrush bristles
Long, slender toothbrush handle
- Brand: CET
- Model: FBA_CETSBRUSHA
- Weight: 0.32 ounces
From afar you really couldn’t tell if the Kenko Care cat toothbrush is really a toothbrush. Unlike other cat dental care implements we’ve seen so far, the Kenko Care comes with a rounded brush head that is quite small that only 4 clusters of fine, ultra-soft bristles can fit.
There are 2 angled points on the Kenko, one at the junction of the head and neck and another one halfway through the slim handle. The design itself is not really spectacular; only a simple print that says “KENKO CARE Micro Head” can be read towards the bottom third of the handle. It also comes with a hole for hanging the brush.
Double angled points for optimum reach
Circular micro brush head at 15-degree angle
Micro-thin bristles
- Brand: Mind Up
- Weight: 0.64 ounces
For effortless cat teeth cleaning we’d recommend the Emours 360-degree cat toothbrush. The bristles are not set on a flat platform. Instead, the bristles are arranged in an outwards orientation, encircling the cylindrical head more like a baby bottle brush. The unique design of its bristles and brush head allows for more effective cleaning regardless of how you position the brush. A cluster of bristles will surely be in contact with your pet’s teeth.
The lower half of the handle looks like one of those ornamental candles with the spiral motif. While it is lovely to look at, the styling serves a more utilitarian purpose. It functions to secure your grip of the handle and allow better control of the brush movements. It is quite expensive, though. But if you love novelty, then the Emours is just perfect.
Soft, gum-safe bristles arranged 360 degrees from brush head
5.9-inch long cat toothbrush
Spiral-themed handle for optimum grip
- Brand: Emours
- Weight: 0.64 ounces
Best Cat Toothbrush Buying Guide & FAQ
Things to Look for in a Cat Toothbrush
In choosing the right cat or kitten toothbrush, there are a number of things that you have to keep in mind. These are as follows.
- Size and shape of the toothbrush head
A good cat toothbrush should be of the correct size and shape. While it is possible to use a dental brush that’s intended for puppies, a much better option is to choose one that is designed specifically for cats.
This is especially true if you have kitties that belong to smaller breeds. If you happen to have one of the large cat breeds like a Maine Coon, then a bigger toothbrush might also work. The shape of the toothbrush head can also play a major factor in your decision-making. While round heads provide good cleaning on a per-tooth basis, having the classic oblong or oval shaped head can help clean two to 3 adjacent teeth at the same time. Again, everything depends on your cat.
- The angle of the brush head
Having a straight brush head may require you to dig deeper into your pet’s oral cavity just to make sure that you’ll be able to remove all of the debris from these parts. It may be quite difficult to maneuver a toothbrush with a handle owing to the smaller oral cavity of cats. It is also for this reason that a cat finger toothbrush is preferred since you can easily hook your finger at an angle to reach difficult-to-reach places. If you don’t like the idea of using your fingers on your pet’s teeth, then perhaps getting a cat toothbrush with at least 15-degree angle at its neck should do the trick.
- Level of softness of the toothbrush bristles
It is easy to see why most pet parents would go for really soft bristles for fear that they might injure their pet’s gums. The problem with extra-soft and super-flexible bristles is that they tend to be incapable of removing stubborn plaque for the simple reason that they cannot exert just enough pressure to dislodge these debris and particles off of the surface of the tooth. If it is too rigid, there’s also the tendency to irritate the gums. That’s why it should be stiff enough to remove dental debris yet soft enough not to injure your pet.
- Length of the toothbrush handle
If you’re using a cat finger toothbrush, then you don’t have to think about any handle length anymore. However, if you’re using standard handled toothbrushes, then the length of the handle can be an important factor to consider. As much as possible, go for just the right length of handle. Too long and it will be quite difficult to control the movements of the brush. Too short and you’ll end up with your hands right in your cat’s mouth which effectively defeats the purpose of having a handle.
Benefits of Using Cat Toothbrush
Most pet parents don’t see the need to brush their cat’s teeth. Kitties are very fastidious groomers, after all. But then again, there will always be instances when even the most meticulous, self-important kitty will need our assistance, especially when cleaning its teeth. Here are some of the more common benefits of using a cat toothbrush.
- Removes food debris and particles
Even if you do manage to give your cat kibbles or even dental treats, there will always be certain areas of its teeth that these food-based dental cleaners can reach. As such, a toothbrush will remove food particles and other debris that may have stuck on the surface of teeth or even in areas that are quite difficult to reach.
- Prevents formation of plaque and tartar
Removing food particles and dried up saliva can help prevent the formation of plaque which is technically a very thin film of hardened substance produced and secreted by microorganisms living in the cat’s oral cavity. When these germs proliferate, they use the food particles as their fuel and create a very thin film which is plaque. Over time, mineral deposits are embedded into the plaque to form tartar.
- Prevents the development of tooth decay
When plaque and tartar have not been effectively removed, these serve a very tough protective barrier for the germs underneath. Slowly they eat away at the enamel of the teeth until they form cavities. The peculiar thing about feline cavities is that they have the same color as the teeth so you might not actually notice them. They’re mostly found just below the cat’s gum line and vets refer to them as feline odontoblastic resorption lesions or simply cat cavities.
- Improves teeth and gum health
Regular brushing of your cat’s teeth help improve the overall health not only of its teeth but its gums as well. This helps prevent gum diseases which can help protect your cat against possible systemic diseases that have been closely related to such dental problems.
Types of Cat Toothbrushes
One of the considerations you’ll have to include in your choice of the best cat toothbrush is the type of cat dental care implement you want to use. Here are the 3 most common types of feline toothbrushes.
- Finger toothbrush
This is the preferred toothbrush for kitties for the simple fact that they are smaller and can be easily fitted over one’s finger. This also allows for easier control and maneuverability in and around your cat’s oral cavity. The problem is that not all pet parents like the idea of shoving their finger in their cat’s mouth.
- Dual brush head
This type of feline dental brush comes with two brush heads, one on each end of the handle. One brush head is typically larger than the other and is often indicated for larger pets. This is ideal for multi-pet households. It’s also ideal for multi-cat households where there are giant breeds in the family.
- Standard brush
These are your typical, single brush head toothbrushes that we’re all familiar with. Usually, they have smaller brush heads that are just right for your pet’s teeth. Some pet parents actually use the toothbrushes of their babies since the bristles are soft and the brush head is also small. However, we don’t really recommend this as these brushes are not meant for cats.
Check Out Our List of the Best Dog Toothbrushes
Best Cat Toothbrush FAQ:
Q: Can you use a human toothbrush on your cat?
A: Some pet parents and a few vets actually recommend using baby toothbrushes with very soft bristles and relatively small brush heads as alternative to an expensive cat toothbrush. Others would simply wrap a piece of gauze around their fingers and rub this against their cat’s teeth.
Q: Can cats get cavities?
A: The short answer is, yes; cats can get cavities. Veterinarians call this condition feline odontoclastic resorption lesions or FORLs. For cats, the principal reason is more related to resorption secondary to periodontal disease, periodontal ligament deterioration, poor diet, viral infections, genetics, and indoor sedentary lifestyle.
Q: What else will I need for brushing my cat’s teeth?
A: You’ll need a toothpaste that is formulated specifically for cats. You should never ever use your own toothpaste to clean your pet’s teeth as this contains chemicals that may be safe for us, but are dangerous for your kitty. This is because they have not been trained to spit anything that is inside their mouth. Their natural tendency is to swallow it. This can irritate their tummies.
Related Post: Best Cat Toothpaste
Q: When and how often should I brush my cat’s teeth?
A: The ideal frequency of brushing your cat’s teeth is daily, although current literature recommends brushing feline teeth at least 3x per week. The recommendation is based on the premise that your cat’s teeth are generally healthy. If there are problems, then a much more frequent brushing is in the offing.
Q: Can I use an electric toothbrush for my cat?
A: Yes, you can use an electric toothbrush on your cat. However, make sure that the bristles are of the correct size. Also, make sure to get an electric toothbrush that is as quiet as possible as the noise can make your cat really anxious. It is also important that you train your pet in the use of this particular kind of toothbrush.
Our Top Pick
We picked H&H Pets’ Professional Cat Toothbrush as our best cat toothbrush for a number of reasons. It comes in a variety of sizes that can easily fit ring sizes 4 to 7. The curved profile of the brush also allows for more efficient cleaning of the cat’s teeth. The materials used in its construction are also guaranteed to be safe and durable. It also comes with a very friendly price that fits right into the budget of pet parents. Lastly, it is trusted by more pet parents than any other feline toothbrush in the market today.
Cats need toothbrushes to help clean their teeth. They also need us to choose the best cat toothbrush for them. This guide on feline dental brushes should help you choose the right dental implement to ensure optimum dental care for your feline friend.
Sources:
- Lorraine Hiscox DVM, Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth, VCA Hospitals
- Five ways to clean your pet’s teeth, Animal Humane Society
