How to Brush a Cat’s Teeth: A Four-Week Plan and Step by Step

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Most cats will not love having their teeth brushed at first, but most can learn to accept it. This page covers why brushing matters for cats, what you need, a four-week plan to get your cat used to it, how to brush once they accept it, how often, and the signs that mean your cat should see a vet instead.

The short answer: use a soft cat toothbrush or finger brush and a toothpaste made for pets, never human toothpaste. Build up over a few weeks with rewards, then brush the outer surfaces of the teeth along the gumline, aiming for daily. If your cat’s gums are red, swollen or bleeding, or eating looks painful, see your vet before you start.

How we wrote this: the steps and advice come from the Cornell Feline Health Center, VCA Animal Hospitals (articles by veterinary dentists), the AVMA and the 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines, all linked where they are used and checked on 30 October 2026. Product notes come from the makers’ pages and the Veterinary Oral Health Council list. We do not show prices or ratings.

Why brush your cat’s teeth

The Cornell Feline Health Center says studies report that between 50 and 90% of cats older than four have some form of dental disease, and that the most common forms are largely preventable with good dental care. It calls regular tooth brushing the best way to prevent gingivitis. The AVMA says regular brushing is the single most effective thing you can do to keep a pet’s teeth healthy between dental cleanings, while noting that cats can be more resistant than dogs, so patience and training matter. VCA explains that without daily brushing, plaque hardens into tartar within 36 to 48 hours. The AAHA guidelines add that brushing only removes plaque, not tartar that has already formed.

Before you start: check the gums

Cornell says brushing can be quite painful for a cat with severe gingivitis, so talk to your vet before brushing a cat whose gums are inflamed. The AAHA guidelines say brushing already inflamed gums causes pain and can make the animal averse to it. Lift your cat’s lip gently and look: red, swollen or bleeding gums, or a pinkish defect where a tooth meets the gum, are reasons to book a vet visit first.

What you need

  • A cat toothbrush or finger brush. VCA says there are brushes made for cats, including small brushes, angled handles and finger brushes, and that a very soft baby toothbrush, gauze wrapped around a finger or a cotton swab can also work. It prefers a brush whose bristles reach just below the gumline.
  • Toothpaste made for pets. Never use human toothpaste: VCA says human toothpastes foam and contain ingredients such as fluoride that should not be swallowed, and Cornell says human toothpaste is not safe for cats. VCA also warns against baking soda.
  • Rewards. Cornell suggests an edible treat or a drink from your cat’s favorite water faucet.

The four-week plan to get your cat used to brushing

This plan follows Cornell’s four-week training program. Keep each session short and calm, and end with a reward. VCA suggests a quiet, small room where you can close the door, with your cat on a towel on a table or in your lap. If your cat gets upset, go back a step.

  1. Week 1, the smell. Leave the brush and toothpaste out where your cat can inspect them. Every day, put a dab of toothpaste on your finger and let your cat sniff and lick it. If they are shy, put a tiny dab near their mouth. Reward them every time.
  2. Week 2, the taste. Each day, put a dab of toothpaste on one of the canine teeth, followed by a reward.
  3. Week 3, the brush. Put a little toothpaste on the brush and let your cat lick it off, then reward.
  4. Week 4, brushing. Gently lift the lips, slip the brush between the lips and gums, and brush as described below.

Cornell also has a video tutorial on brushing your cat’s teeth. Brush makers Virbac and Vetoquinol both suggest a finger brush as the easiest way to start, then moving to a bristled brush once your cat is comfortable.

How to brush your cat’s teeth

  1. Get in position. VCA says to tilt your cat’s head at about a 45 degree angle and gently pull back the lips. The mouth can stay closed.
  2. Angle the brush. Cornell says to hold the bristles at a 45 degree angle to the teeth, aiming for the narrow gap between teeth and gums, where plaque builds up.
  3. Brush gently along the gumline. Work around the upper and lower teeth. VCA says to start with the large cheek teeth and the canines, where plaque and tartar build up fastest, and to make sure you reach the big teeth at the back.
  4. Brush the outsides only. Cornell and VCA both say you only need to brush the outer surfaces, because a cat’s rough tongue cleans the inner surfaces.
  5. Build up slowly. VCA says to do only a few teeth at first and work up to the whole mouth over days or weeks, aiming for about 30 seconds per side once your cat accepts it.
  6. Reward and finish. End on a good note, even if you only managed a few teeth.

Be gentle: VCA notes it is easy to poke the gums with the brush tip and irritate them. It also suggests wearing gloves if you can, replacing the brush every three months, and giving each cat its own brush. The AVMA warns that a cat in pain may bite.

How often to brush

Aim for daily. Cornell’s program builds toward daily brushing, and the AAHA guidelines say brushing needs to be done daily to be of benefit. VCA says daily is best and three times a week is the minimum, and the AVMA says several times a week can still help when daily is not possible. It is easiest to start with a kitten; VCA says older cats may take longer but it is still worth the effort.

If your cat will not accept brushing

Go back to an earlier step, shorten the sessions, or try a finger brush or gauze instead of a brush. For cats who do not accept brushing, VCA mentions dental wipes or gels as an option. The Veterinary Oral Health Council keeps a list of cat products it has accepted for plaque or tartar claims; at the time of writing, the only cat toothpaste or wipe products on it were from Healthymouth. Ask your vet what suits your cat.

Toothpaste and brushes we list

Virbac also makes a compact cat toothbrush and a finger brush; its page says the cat brush is designed for the small space between a cat’s back teeth and cheek. For dogs, see our best dog toothbrush and toothpaste guide and how to brush a dog’s teeth.

Signs your cat needs a vet

Brushing does not replace checkups. The AVMA says a vet should check your pet’s teeth at least once a year, and sooner if you notice:

  • bad breath;
  • broken, loose or discolored teeth, or teeth covered in tartar;
  • drooling, dropping food, chewing oddly or a reduced appetite;
  • pain, bleeding or swelling in or around the mouth.

VCA adds pawing at the mouth, head shaking and jaw chattering, and says many cats show no signs their owners can spot. Cornell says tooth resorption is the most common cause of tooth loss in cats, is often first seen as a pinkish defect where the tooth meets the gum, and can be very painful. Cats with sore mouths may turn their heads to one side while eating. If you see any of these, book a vet visit rather than brushing through it.

Avoid anesthesia-free dental cleanings. The AVMA says the American Veterinary Dental College does not recommend them because they cannot clean or check below the gumline, where most dental disease occurs, and the AAHA guidelines call them unacceptable. VCA also says not to try to scrape tartar off yourself with a metal tool.

FAQ

Can I use human toothpaste on my cat?

No. VCA says human toothpastes foam and contain ingredients such as fluoride that should not be swallowed, and some contain high levels of sodium. Use a pet toothpaste that is non-foaming and safe to swallow.

Do I need to brush the inside of my cat’s teeth?

No. Cornell and VCA say brushing the outer surfaces is enough, because your cat’s tongue cleans the inner surfaces.

How long does it take to train a cat to accept brushing?

Cornell’s plan takes four weeks. Some cats need longer, especially older cats, so go at your cat’s pace.

Can I use a dog toothbrush on my cat?

A small, very soft head can work. VCA says brushes made for cats, finger brushes and very soft baby brushes are all options. Give each pet its own brush.

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