Dental hygiene is important, and it is something to be practiced to maintain overall health.
However, what about our feline pets? If you're in search for the best toothpaste for cats, then you're on the right page.
We’re going to help you find the best toothpaste for cats as well as the importance of maintaining your pet’s dental health.
This article also includes the difference between a cat toothpaste and the ones we humans are using.
Of course, we’re also going to teach you how to choose the best toothpaste for cats available in the market.
Felines are very scrupulous when it comes to hygiene, and they always want to keep their fur clean at all times.
They usually groom themselves by licking their coat to wipe away any dirty debris and to eliminate foul odor. Moreover, they typically use their teeth to dig out stricter debris.
In other words, the mouth is their most essential tool in keeping their fur neat. However, sad to say, this part is commonly neglected by some pet owners.
Many pet owners would spend so much on pet shampoos thinking that cleaning their pet’s coat is enough for hygiene.
Most of the time, they fail to recognize that dental hygiene is as equally crucial as having a clear coat.
Besides, the mouth is where all of the collected dirt from the coat goes after grooming.
That’s why it’s no surprise that our furry friends are prone to bad breath and tooth decay. You don’t have to wait for dental issues to happen to your pet.
The truth is, you can stop it from happening and maintain your kitty's dental health by giving the best cat toothpaste.
If you try to look up at the internet, the chances are good that you'll find thousands of brands available.
The many numbers of options would make it very difficult to choose the best toothpaste for cats.
However, don't worry. We'll guide you through this subject and help you pick out the best cat toothpaste that perfectly suits your kitty.
Before we give you our list of recommended products, let us first look at some of the critical reason why cats need toothpaste.
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Do Cats Need Toothpaste?
Cats need toothpaste for the same reasons as we do. Why are we brushing our teeth on a regular basis?
Proper tooth brushing removes unhealthy clumps of bacteria and food residues on our teeth that can cause cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. However, can we brush our teeth with a toothbrush alone?
Toothbrush alone only scrapes away food debris on and in-between our teeth. However, it can't eliminate the lousy film of bacteria (plaque) that grows on teeth.
Seriously, have you tried brushing your teeth without toothpaste? If you did, you’re probably aware how painful that is for the gums. Yes, the feeling is rather unpleasant.
Brushing with toothpaste effectively removes every last trace of plaque on the teeth as well as keeping our breath smelling fresh.
Plus, it offers a pleasant way of cleaning our teeth without hurting our delicate gums.
Toothpaste contains active ingredients to thoroughly clean not just the teeth but also the tongue and the gums. Therefore, the use of toothpaste in brushing is a must to achieve optimal dental health.
What about our furry feline pets?
The same holds to our precious furballs. Since they generally use their tongue and teeth for grooming, this makes them at higher risk of severe dental problems.
Here are some of the dental issues that you can prevent if you give the best toothpaste for cats:
Bad Breath
When food debris stays in between the teeth for so long, they tend to rot and give off a foul odor. Moreover, the result is, of course, bad breath.
Not only that, but our kitties are also using their mouth to wipe unpleasant smells off their fur.
Where do these unpleasant smells go? Naturally, they got collected in the kitty's mouth.
If you don't brush your pet's teeth for too long, expect it to develop bad breath. This could become troublesome especially if your kitty loves to get close to you all the time.
You can't just push your pet away just because its mouth stinks so badly.
The best toothpaste for cats is the definite solution to thoroughly remove food residue in the mouth that may cause bad breath.
Tartar Buildup
The mouth contains many bacteria even if it is regularly cleaned. However, these natural bacteria are beneficial as they help break down the food we eat, preparing them for digestion.
There's only one downside to this; they form a sticky film when they mix with proteins. This film of bacteria (plaque) coats the teeth and gets under the gum line.
If the plaque stays longer, it hardens and becomes tartar. Also called calculus, tartar forms below and above the gum line. Tartar buildup below the gum line can lead to cavities and tooth decay.
Any tartar forming above the gum line can lead to progressive gum disease such as gingivitis.
Prevention of these severe dental conditions in felines is quite simple. Choose the best cat toothpaste that can instantly remove plaque before it can form into tartar.
Treatment for tooth decay and gum disease, however, is an entirely different case.
Once these dental problems occur, it may take more than toothpaste to address the concern. Take your kitty to the veterinarian for proper dental treatment.
We recommend you bring your pet to the vet for a dental checkup every six weeks while maintaining its oral health at home.
Periodontal Disease
Also known as periodontitis, this dental condition occurs when gingivitis becomes worse that tartar reaches towards the tooth roots.
As the inflammation progresses, a periodontal pocket or a gap is formed between the teeth and gums.
Eventually, this pocket becomes an ideal habitat for harmful bacteria to develop and multiply. As they grow, these bacteria release toxins that trigger the immune system.
In return, the body’s defensive response leads to inflammation of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.
Chronic inflammation can potentially damage the jaw bone and loosen the teeth.
Some clinical studies also link the bacteria in gum disease to heart disease and other health issues.
With all these conditions in mind, it is, therefore, necessary to prioritize our pet's dental care. By getting a high-quality toothbrush and the best toothpaste for cats, you can ensure your pet's dental health.
What is a Cat Toothpaste?
Cat toothpaste is specially formulated for feline oral health, and it works entirely different from our toothpaste.
Although the intended outcome is the same, the ingredients used in both kinds of toothpaste are different.
Well, this is to be expected. Structure of the oral cavity is different in both human and feline. The shape of the teeth, physiology of the tongue, gum structure and the overall size of the mouth.
A cat toothpaste takes after the specific needs of felines while considering the general structure of their oral cavity.
That is why most veterinarians would recommend the use of a cat toothpaste for feline dental health.
Moreover, if you ask them whether it's okay to use human toothpaste on your pet, they have but one answer.
Can You Brush Cat’s Teeth With Human Toothpaste?
Your vet is likely to advise you not to use your usual toothpaste on your kitty. Why is it so?
Most toothpaste products that we’re using contain fluoride. This active ingredient helps the enamel (outer layer of teeth) become harder and more resistant to acid.
Harder enamel protects the teeth from plaque. Thus, preventing tartar buildup and cavities from happening.
Fluoride has been the most trusted ingredient in toothpaste that has benefited both adults and children in having pearly white teeth.
Unfortunately, fluoride can be toxic to felines. Fluoride can also pose health problems in humans when swallowed in high amounts.
Ingestion of fluoride can weaken the muscles, bones, ligaments and nervous system.
However, this condition rarely happens to humans because it's a common practice to spit the toothpaste after brushing.
Dentists don't usually recommend fluoride toothpaste for children six months and below. This is because children at this age cannot be instructed to spit out the toothpaste.
The same is true to our kitties. It’s highly probable that our furry friends would end up swallowing the fluoride if we give them fluoride toothpaste.
We need to give them something that can clean their teeth, and they can safely ingest at the same time.
Moreover, human toothpaste is heavily loaded with strong mint flavor to keep the breath smelling fresh for hours.
Felines are not fond of minty scents and flavors. Even if you offer your usual toothpaste to your kitty, it's highly likely that it will run away.
Manufacturers of cat toothpaste are coming up with innovative flavors to entice your kitty towards brushing.
However, with so many brands and variants to choose from, how can we choose the best toothpaste for cats?
How to Choose the Best Cat Toothpaste
There are several brands of pet toothpaste in the market. How can we pick out the best toothpaste for cats from the bunch of endless options?
We should keep our feline pets away from any toothpaste containing fluoride. So, how can toothpaste prevent tooth decay and cavities without using fluoride?
If you have tried looking for a pet toothpaste online, you’ve probably encountered the term ‘enzymatic formula’.
Instead of using fluoride, pet toothpaste is using enzymes that help break down bacteria and plaque much like fluoride does.
However, unlike fluoride, these synthetic enzymes can be safely ingested without any side effects.
Most brands of pet toothpaste label their products as ‘enzymatic,' and these products are almost everywhere.
If you want to pick the best toothpaste for cats, you also need to check other ingredients used aside from the enzymes.
Here is the list of ingredients that can help maintain healthy teeth and gums. These are commonly added to pet toothpaste.
You may want to check the label to determine if the product is safe for your kitty.
Top 5 Best Cat Toothpaste
Let’s start our search for the best toothpaste for cats and be on your way in maintaining your pet’s oral health.
Here are our recommended brands and see what they have in store for you. To help you in your buying decision, we also included the pros and cons of each product.
1.Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste
This product is probably the first name to pop up in the minds of many pet owners as long as the ‘best cat toothpaste’ is concerned.
As one of the most preferred brands among pet owners, this enzymatic toothpaste came from the company C.E.T. For decades, C.E.T. has been the most trusted leader in vet dental care.
It uses a dual enzyme system that targets plaque and breaks it down before it can accumulate on the enamel.
Use it daily on your kitty or as directed by your veterinarian. Plus, it comes in many different flavors that will surely make your furry friend want to brush more.
Key Features:
Pros
Cons
2. Sentry Petrodex Dental Kit for Cats
This product contains enzymes that produce hydrogen peroxide in reducing plaque and tartar buildup.
Its advanced enzymatic formula is specially formulated for cats as it breaks down plaque and tartar deposits.
Conveniently, it comes with an ultra-soft bristle brush and a finger toothbrush to make brushing experience more comfortable for your kitty.
Felines have smaller mouths and more delicate oral cavity than ours. Most of us prefer hard bristle toothbrush to scrape off food debris sticking in between our teeth completely.
However, hard bristles could be too much for our pet's delicate gums and tongue.
Sentry Petrodex Dental Kit includes an enzymatic toothpaste and a set of 2 toothbrushes that will surely leave your pet’s teeth clean and white.
Key Features:
Enzymatic formula with hydrogen peroxide-producing molecules to help reduce plaque and tartar accumulation
Doesn't contain any foaming agents, so there's no need to rinse
Comes with a soft-bristle toothbrush and finger brush for gentle application. Both toothbrushes are dishwasher safe
Malt flavor is known to be a delectable taste for felines
Pros
Cons
3. Nylabone Oral Care Cat Kit
Here’s another candidate for the best toothpaste for cats. Nylabone Oral Care Kit for Cats uses Denta-C formula, a patent-pending blend of ingredients scientifically formulated to reduce plaque and tartar.
The product also comes with a set of 2 toothbrushes:
Key Features:
Pros
Cons
4. Enzadent Pet Toothpaste
This product is loaded with enzymes that help remove plaque and bacteria from your kitty’s mouth and prevent them from coming back.
Enzadent Pet Toothpaste comes in a poultry flavor to entice your furry buddy towards brushing.
Its triple enzyme system works by obliterating the plaque, preventing it from coming back and reducing inflammation of the gums.
Furthermore, it promotes soft tissue development to maintain your pet’s optimal oral health.
Explicitly formulated for both cats and dogs. It does not contain any foaming agent, so your pet can safely swallow it without the need to rinse.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
5. Petsmile Professional Toothpaste
Let's try to stay away from enzymatic toothpaste for a while. Petsmile Professional Toothpaste uses an exciting ingredient called Calprox.
Calprox is an active and safe ingredient that gently dissolves the protein layer on the teeth surface where plaque usually adheres.
Due to this innovative, this high-end formula was recognized by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). Moreover, is the only toothpaste awarded with VOHC official approval.
The most surprising thing about this product is that you don't need a toothbrush to use it.
Just swipe the toothpaste onto teeth on both sides of your pet's mouth with your finger. Moreover, let your pet lick the paste around its mouth.
Once it gets in contact with a cat's saliva, the active ingredient Calprox is activated and immediately goes to work. So brushing is not necessary anymore.
Plus, it comes in a London Broil flavor that is irresistible to felines. Your furry friend will surely love the taste of it.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Other Ways to Prevent Dental Problems in Cats?
Using a high-quality cat toothpaste is one of the ways to maintain your pet's good dental health.
However, this alone may not be enough to prevent your kitty possible dental problems.
Of course, the food it regularly eats has a lot to do with its dental condition. Avoid giving your pet foods that are high in sugar as this is the leading cause of tooth decay and cavities.
Start brushing its teeth while your pet is still young so it can get used to it. Do it a habit of cleaning your kitty's teeth daily.
Last but not least, don't rely on toothpaste alone. It can help maintain good oral health, but it won't address underlying dental conditions that may distress your pet.
Take your pet to the vet for a regular full dental checkup to make sure that your furry friend is free from any gum diseases.
Natural Cat Toothpaste
Can you make your own homemade or natural cat toothpaste to make sure that your kitty is using nothing but natural ingredients?
You can. You've probably heard about natural cat toothpaste that is made from baking soda.
Making this natural cat toothpaste is simple and straightforward. However, we won't recommend it. Why?
Baking soda can be an effective natural cat toothpaste if only our pets know how to spit it out later. The problem is, they can’t.
Also, what happens when they ingest large amounts of baking soda? It can adversely affect the chemical balance of felines.
As a result, chemical imbalances can lead to muscle spasms, potassium deficiency, electrolyte irregularity, and potential heart failure.
Sounds scary, right? Now you’re aware that ‘natural’ may not always be the best for your kitty.
The best toothpaste for cats is something that can be safely ingested. It is to be expected that our feline buddies will swallow it no matter how you convince them not to.
Choose the best toothpaste for cats formulated explicitly for them. Your kitty can swallow it, and you don't have to worry about anything.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to choose the best toothpaste for cats, you can finally start giving your pet the best dental care possible.
All of the recommended products are effective in cleaning and protecting a kitty's teeth and gums. Also, all of them work effectively to get rid of bad breath.
Your decision in picking the best cat toothpaste will be significantly influenced by your pet's preference for flavor.
These products vary significantly in flavor. You need to find out which of these flavors your feline friend likes best.
Dental care in felines is one of the most neglected areas when it comes to the maintenance of our pet's overall health.
Choosing the best toothpaste for cats is massively crucial and brushing our pet’s teeth is just as important as giving them food to eat.
In addition to brushing, regular visits to the vet for a dental checkup can help your kitty achieve healthy teeth and gums.
You may also check out Miauland for more buying guides.
References:
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