Cat toothbrush and toothpaste: how to brush your cat's teeth (and which kit)

Bad breath in a cat isn’t “just age.” Dental disease is very common in cats: International Cat Care estimates that up to 85% of cats aged 3 and over have some form of it. The good news is that you can do a lot at home, and the main tool is simple and cheap: a cat toothbrush and toothpaste.

Quick answer: brush your cat’s teeth once a day if it accepts it, with pet toothpaste (never human toothpaste) and a small toothbrush with a handle. Start slowly by letting your cat lick paste off your finger, and build up in stages. Virbac C.E.T. enzymatic toothpaste is the most-reviewed pet toothpaste we found; the C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit for Cats adds a cat-sized brush. Brushing doesn’t remove existing tartar — that’s a job for your vet.

Why brush (and what brushing can’t fix)#

According to International Cat Care:

• Plaque is a soft film of bacteria, saliva and food debris. Brushing removes it before it hardens.
• Tartar is calcified plaque, a yellow or brown crust. It won’t brush off: it usually needs a scale and polish under anesthesia at the vet.
• Mild gingivitis is very common and in most cases can be reversed with home care such as brushing. In severe cases, brushing no longer helps.
• Cats hide pain. That’s why the organization recommends a dental check by your vet at least once a year, and every 3 to 6 months for cats with past dental problems.

Signs it’s time for the vet#

Bad breath, red or bleeding gums, loss of appetite or weight, difficulty eating, drooling, pawing at the mouth, loose teeth, visible tartar and grooming less. If you see any of these, book a visit before you start brushing: with a sore mouth, brushing becomes a bad experience.

What you need#

• A cat toothbrush, small and soft. International Cat Care recommends one brush per cat in the household, to avoid passing infection through saliva.
• Pet toothpaste. Never human toothpaste: the organization explains it isn’t palatable to cats and can upset the stomach. Cat toothpastes usually come in poultry, beef or fish flavors; try different ones.
• Finger brush: with caution. International Cat Care recommends avoiding it in most cases because of the risk of an accidental bite. Many kits include both: start with the handled brush.
• Cotton swabs for the getting-used-to-it stage.

The organization also points to the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) list, which evaluates pet oral-care products. The products below are not presented here as VOHC-accepted; check vohc.org if that matters to you.

Step by step: getting your cat used to brushing#

Based on International Cat Care’s guide. Take your time — a few days per step is fine.

1. Touch the head and mouth gently at calm moments and finish with a treat. Work up to lifting the lip.
2. Let your cat lick the toothpaste off your finger. If it doesn’t like it, switch flavors.
3. Learn to hold the head: cat facing away from you, palm on top of the head, thumb and middle finger on the cheeks below the eyes. Tilt the head slightly up and lift the upper lip with your thumb.
4. Use a cotton swab with paste on the teeth in circular motions, starting with the back teeth, which matter most.
5. Move to the toothbrush with the same circular motion. Start with 10 seconds per side and work up to 30 seconds per side.
6. A little bleeding from the gums at first is common and tends to stop with regular brushing, according to the organization.
7. If your cat gets uncomfortable, stop and try again the next day. Brushing needs to be pleasant, not a fight.

Cats that had a dental cleaning or extractions at the vet need to wait for the mouth to heal before you start.

The products we picked#

Chosen based on what the listings say (checked Oct 19, 2026). Plaque, tartar and breath claims are the manufacturers'.

Quick comparison (data from the listings cited below, checked Oct 19, 2026):

Swipe the table sideways to see every column.

If your cat won’t accept the brush#

International Cat Care lists alternatives, which help less than brushing:

• Dental treats: reduce, but don’t prevent, plaque and tartar. Ask your vet for a recommendation (and count the calories, as we explain in our cat treats guide).
• Toothpaste on dry food or on a dental treat, if your cat likes the flavor.
• A dental diet, formulated to help control plaque and tartar, on your vet’s advice.

Related guides#

• Cat brush: the other brush in the routine, with frequency by coat type.
• Cat nail clippers: another task that calls for calm and a treat at the end.

Bottom line#

Brushing is the best at-home care for your cat’s mouth, according to International Cat Care. Ideally once a day, with pet toothpaste and a handled brush, starting slowly and always ending well. C.E.T. enzymatic toothpaste is the most-reviewed option; the C.E.T. cat kit adds a cat-shaped brush. And remember: existing tartar and any sign of pain are matters for your vet.