Maintaining proper teeth brushing routine can prevent your cat from developing gum and tooth diseases, which can lead to serious health issues for your cat.
A good quality cat toothpaste is an important component of maintaining your cat’s oral health in proper condition.
To save you time, we have reviewed dozens of cat toothpastes on the market to find the safest and best quality cat toothpastes that your cat will love.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
The Top 5 Best Cat Toothpastes in 2023
| Brand | ||
|---|---|---|
| Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste |   | |
| Petrodex Dental Kit for Cats |   | |
| Zymox Dental Gel |   | |
| Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Toothpaste Kit |   | |
| Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dental Kit |   |
Best Cat Toothpaste – Reviews
1. Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste – Best Cat Toothpaste Overall
With more than 10,000 reviews, the Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste is the most popular cat and dog toothpaste on the market.
This cat toothpaste is formulated using an enzyme system that reduces plaque, freshens the breath and ensures a clean mouth.
Because it doesn’t contain any foaming agents or fluoride that are toxic to cats, your cat can safely swallow this toothpaste.
The product comes in three flavors: beef, poultry and vanilla mint that are appealing to cats.
This toothpaste is designed for both cats and dogs, which makes it for a perfect product for multiple pet households.
The Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste is made in the USA. Virbac is the top-recommended dental brand by veterinary professionals in the USA.
To apply the toothpaste use a soft-bristled toothbrush such as the CET Dual Ended Toothbrush.
Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste Key Features:
- Reduces plaque and freshens breath
- Unique, dual-enzyme system formula
- Safe to swallow (no foaming agents, no fluoride)
- Beef, poultry and vanilla mint flavors
- Can be used by cats and dogs
2. Petrodex Dental Kit for Cats – Best Cat Toothpaste Kit
Petrodex Dental Kit for Cats is a whole dental kit that contains a toothpaste, a toothbrush and a finger brush.
The toothpaste has a hydrogen peroxide-producing enzymatic formula that helps reduce plaque and tartar buildup, cleans teeth and freshens breath.
The toothpaste is safe for a cat to swallow. It doesn’t contain fluoride and doesn’t foam, so you don’t need to rinse your cat’s mouth after brushing.
The malt flavor of the toothpaste is appealing to cats and easy to administer with accompanying toothbrushes.
Petrodex Dental Kit for Cats Key Features:
- Reduces plaque and freshens breath
- Hydrogen peroxide-producing enzymatic formula
- Safe to swallow (no foaming agents, no fluoride)
- Malt flavor
- Comes with an ultra-soft bristle toothbrush and a finger toothbrush
3. Zymox Dental Gel – Best Cat Brushless Toothpaste
Zymox Dental Gel is a toothpaste in a form of clear gel that doesn’t require brushing.
The enzyme-based formula inhibits harmful odor-causing bacteria and removes plaque biofilm.
A gentle formulation of this toothpaste soothes, relieves and protects mouth tissue against dryness and naturally restores saliva’s natural protective abilities.
The gel doesn’t contain alcohol, xylitol or chlorhexidine and is safe for a daily digestion.
The gel can be administered to both cats and dogs, which makes it a great product for multi-pet households.
To use the product, apply a strip of gel to upper and lower gums daily. No brushing needed.
Zymox Dental Gel Key Features:
- Brushless technology
- Eliminates odor-causing bacteria and removes plaque
- Soothes and protects against dryness
- Enzyme-based formula
- Safe to swallow (no foaming agents, no fluoride)
- Can be used by cats and dogs
4. Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Toothpaste Kit – Best Cat Toothpaste for Multi-Pet Housholds
Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Toothpaste Kit features a toothpaste, a dual-ended toothbrush with a large and small head and a finger brush for easy cleaning.
A triple enzyme toothpaste effectively removes food debris and plaque, kills harmful bacteria and eliminates unpleasant breath.
The toothpaste is poultry flavored and doesn’t contain foaming agents or fluoride and is safe to swallow without rinsing.
The toothpaste and accompanying toothbrushes are designed for both cats and dogs, which makes for an ideal purchase for multi-pet households.
Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Toothpaste Kit Key Features:
- Removes plaque, eliminates harmful bacteria and unpleasant breath
- Triple enzyme formula
- Safe to swallow (no foaming agents, no fluoride)
- Poultry flavor
- Can be used by cats and dogs
- Comes with a dual-ended toothbrush with large and small head and a finger brush
5. Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dental Kit – Cat Toothpaste with the Best Brush
Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dental Kit features a toothpaste, an angled toothbrush and a finger brush.
The toothpaste is made with Denta-C which is scientifically proven to reduce plaque that harbors bacteria.
It will clean your cat’s teeth, freshen breath and reduce plaque and tartar preventing the development of major gum and tooth diseases.
A toothbrush that comes in the kit is specially designed to fit the small contours of a cat’s mouth. It features ultra-soft nylon tips that clean between teeth while rubber massagers reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dental Kit Key Features:
- Reduces plaque and tartar, freshens breath
- Denta-C reduces plaque that harbors bacteria
- Comes with an angled toothbrush and a finger brush
Best Cat Toothpaste – Buyer’s Guide
Who Should Buy a Cat Toothpaste?
It’s estimated that 4 in 5 cats over the age of three suffer from gingivitis (gum pain, swelling and redness) and periodontal disease. Those conditions lead to dental pain, infection (it can spread to internal organs like the liver or kidneys) and tooth loss.
Maintaining a dental hygiene routine can prevent the development of gum and dental diseases as well as unpleasant breath. A good quality cat toothpaste is an indispensable component of a proper cat dental routine.
Every cat parent should incorporate a regular cat dental routine and brush their cat teeth on a daily basis. If cleaning your cat’s teeth every day is too much of a commitment, try doing it at least three times a week.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cat Toothpaste
When choosing a toothpaste for your cat you should take into account the following factors:
1. Enzymatic cat toothpastes
Usually, the best quality cat toothpastes contain enzymes.
Enzymes create reactions that kill bacteria that are responsible for plaque and tartar formation.
2. Harmful ingredients
You should always avoid toothpastes that contain foaming agents, fluoride and xylitol.
These ingredients are toxic to cats and should be avoided.
3. Flavor
If your cat is reluctant to having their teeth brushed, you should look for toothpastes with palatable flavors.
There are toothpastes in meat or seafood flavors that are highly palatable to cats.
4. Brushing
There are toothpastes on the market that don’t require brushing. These are usually in form of a gel that you rub on your cat’s teeth.
To relax and put your cat at ease before the brushing procedure begins, you can spray around a cat calming spray or use another cat calming product.
Although brushing is deemed more effective, a brushless technology may be a good solution for cats that are reluctant to brushing.
Best Cat Toothpaste – Frequently Asked Questions
Is toothpaste safe for cats?
You should never give a toothpaste for humans to a cat. Toothpastes for humans contain fluoride and foaming agents that are toxic to cats.
You should only use toothpastes formulated especially for cats. They usually have various meat flavors that are appealing to cats.
Can I clean my cat’s teeth myself?
Yes, you can clean your cat’s teeth on your own. Always use a toothpaste and a brush designed especially for cats. For added safety, you should bring your cat to a vet for a dental checkup once a year.
How often should you brush your cat’s teeth?
It’s advised to brush your cat’s teeth once a day. If you cannot commit to cleaning your cat’s teeth on a daily basis, then you should aim at least three times a week. At least once a year you should get your cat’s teeth checked by a vet.
What happens if you don’t brush your cat’s teeth?
If you don’t brush your cat’s teeth, the build-up from plaque and tartar will cause harmful bacteria to damage your cat’s gums (gingivitis), which can lead to inflammation and destruction of the tissues (periodontitis) which subsequently can cause teeth loss.
The above conditions cause pain and discomfort for your cat, especially when eating. If there is an infection it can also spread to other organs, like kidneys or liver.
What age should I start brushing my cat’s teeth?
The earlier you start accustoming your cat to having their teeth brushed, the better. It’s easier to get accustomed to brushing a kitten than an adult cat.
It’s recommended that you don’t brush your kitten’s teeth during a period when the baby teeth are falling out and the permanent teeth are erupting.
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