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My cat hates brushing. Can I just rub toothpaste on their teeth?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 14 lbs

My cats hate the toothbrush, would rubbing virbac toothpaste with my finger onto their teeth and gums daily work to maintain their oral hygiene.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Julia Henwood

Certified Veterinary Nurse

Published on March 31st, 2017

Yes this would work just be careful not to get bitten! There are other alternatives too that you can try to help with oral hygiene if tooth brushing is proving to be a problem. You can get a seaweed extract to add to the food daily called plaque off. There is also aquadent which is a bit like a mouth wash that you add to their water for them to drink. My favourite option is hills TD food as this has both a mechanical and chemical action to break down the calculi and improve oral hygiene and hopefully prevent dental work.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Applying the paste is better than not doing any at home dental care but the act of brushing helps to remove food particles and bacteria. i believe there are enzymatic pads you can purchase and 'brush' the teeth as well. Lio may tolerate that better. Good job on brushing his teeth! It really does make a difference!

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 22nd, 2018

    Unfortunately only few cats will let you brush their teeth unless they have been used to it since kittenhood. However, if you use enzymatic tooth paste then usually just rubbing it onto the teeth will suffice. Unfortunately brushing teeth or rubbing tooth paste on will only be effective in preventing tartar. It will not remove tartar, so if your kitty already has tartar on his teeth and /or red gum lines, he will need to have his teeth checked and cleaned by a veterinarian. If you then diligently use the enzymatic tooth paste after professional cleaning, then you significantly lengthen the time between professional cleanings and onset of tartar. The chewies are a good idea, but again only really effective if there is no significant tartar on the teeth.

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