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My cat won't let me brush. Do enzyme toothpaste or treats clean teeth?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 3 months and 9 days old | 4 lbs

I'm trying to brush my cat's teeth but I'm having trouble. I have tried to do the slow getting him used to it thing. It's working on the right side of his mouth, but everytime I try on the left, he gives me a hard time. He only let's me rub my finger with the toothpaste on his teeth. Question: does rubbing the toothpaste on his teeth, clean them (the toothpaste has enzyme). Also, do dental treats help with cleaning as well? (I already took him to the vet for teeth cleaning a week ago).

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on January 7th, 2018

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach!

You are my hero for trying to brush Nala's teeth. If you haven't tried to start with the left side first, do that. Yes, at least getting the enzyme tooth paste on the teeth will do something. The brushing does help the most. Try to brush at least 3 times per week. They also make a tooth brush that fits on your finger tip, that may work better for her. Also check out the link for the Veterinary Oral Health Council's recommended products. Otherwise just keep trying! Practice makes perfect and also hopefully Nala will acclimate. She may still be sensitive on the one side from the cleaning.

I hope this helps and I wish you and Nala the best!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3497

http://www.vohc.org/accepted_products_cats.html

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on January 7th, 2018
You are doing an amazing job with Dusty! Good on you for cleaning his teeth and getting dental cleanings done on him. It's great that he is letting you brush his teeth on the right side, but cats can be so frustrating sometimes can't they?! Rubbing the toothpaste on his teeth is better than doing nothing, and while it won't help remove as much plaque as brushing, it is providing a benefit. I would continue to slowly try to get him used to brushing all over his mouth. You may have to take a break after brushing his right side if you do that first. He may get tired of you cleaning his mouth, so I suggest brushing the right side, giving him a break for five minutes, then coming back and trying to brush his left.

As for dental treats, yes they are helpful and they do work, so I recommend giving them to Dusty as well. You can give them to him as a reward for letting you brush his teeth. Good luck, I hope this helps and keep up the great work!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr Stafford, BVetMed, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on June 17th, 2018
Cats are generally very sensitive about their mouths. It's great that you are trying with the brushing, but she is obviously not responding well to it and it might actually effect her behaviour negatively. I would lay off her for a bit. You could try every other day brushing and if she still really hates it I would simply start rubbing an enzymatic toothpaste on her teeth and forgoing the brush.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on June 20th, 2019
Yes, there are other things you can do at home which may help but I do encourage you to continue trying to brush the teeth. You may need to start slowly (with one canine tooth) and gradually build up.
Here is a link to the American Veterinary Dental College. It has a lot of great information as well as a link (see the left side columns) with proven dental products:
https://www.avdc.org/ownersinfo.html

Also, here is a link which may be helpful to get Luna to accept the tooth brush:
https://www.petcoach.co/article/should-i-brush-my-cats-teeth/

Please feel free to post any additional questions.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian
Published on August 2nd, 2017
This is a really common problem! You can try to give her dental chews. Virbac CET feline chews are usually well liked by cats (not always). You can also add a water additive to her water to help rinse her mouth regularly. Just know that some cats are super finicky and know when the water has change. It is suppose to be "tasteless". Also make sure you vet looks at her teeth yearly and you have a dental done when needed to present infection and loss of teeth. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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