(Part 2) Best cat dental catre products according to redditors

I didn't have that much problem with ours and the Citikitti. (She took to it pretty easily, though she did tend to protest enlarged holes by pooping in the bathtub.)

The secret for me was finding the Virbac CET chews which she'd get as rewards for proper pooping. She loves those things and will seek me out and lead me to the bathroom for confirmation of her pooping properly to get hers.

Another key was litter attractant. It worked pretty well. It initially got her to consider the tray and I've used it on occasion to lure her back to proper behavior if she decides she's having none of the balancing act.

It seems to work great for coffee stains. It's subjective, but I feel like my teeth are much whiter after using it.

It is weird. I had run across the idea of microfiber on pet teeth first here, and thought it was interesting, wondered if there was something similar for human teeth, but then I didn't find anything online and forgot about it.

But later when I was struggling to get rid of the stains I remembered and tried using a regular, absorbent microfiber cloth marketed for housecleaning. I'd had success using them to remove makeup rather than buying specialty makeup microfiber cloths, so it didn't seem that weird or especially unhygenic to try one on my teeth while I was at it.

I just wrapped it around my fingers in various ways and went to work. I tried it dry and wet, and both seemed to work. I did it for a few minutes at a time several times a day for three or four days to get rid of my bad staining issue. I could see it lighten right away, but it took several days before I felt normal again.

For that application, it's time-consuming and difficult to get into nooks and crannies. I was determined to get the dark stains off though, so it was worth the effort for that problem.

I still use them for general whitening though I'm not so regimented or motivated. Now I just quickly polish over the easily visible and reachable surfaces for a few seconds after brushing and it keeps them much whiter than just brushing could.

It's less effective than chemical whitening, and doesn't get in between unless you really maneuver, which I'm not motivated to do daily. But it does make a quick, visible improvement in appearance and doesn't cause any sensitivity. It's also practically free and takes little time.

I did abrade my gums with the microfiber when I was scrubbing hard on the bad stains. I was concentrating along the gum line because that's where the stains were, and I realize now that I was hitting the gums repeatedly. I rinsed with saltwater and it healed quickly.

Now I just lightly polish, not much pressure or repetition, and haven't had that problem again.

Normally I share pictures of my dog, but I’ll switch it up and introduce you all to algernon . He is a uromastyx. When I worked at a pet store he was there as a baby, malnourished, barely holding on to live. Everyday I’d sit it the back cradling him, force feeding him “lizard mush” out of a syringe. He amazingly survived and was back for sale. Many were interested but I refused all of them because I didn’t think they could comment the amount of care he’ll need: very hot heat lamps on all the time, special diet, 50 year life expectancy... I saved up the money and bought him myself. I learned he liked to dance on the glass to music. And watch my roommate’s dog. He would be really noisy at night until I’d take him out and let him snuggle underneath my chin as I read my book until he fell asleep.
He is 10 now. My husband likes his cage in the lower level, so I don’t see him as often. I miss our close connection. And feel very guilty that I don’t think he gets the love and attention he deserves. Maybe once we get our bigger house I’ll have him where I can be with him more.

TLDR: my love story with a lizard

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Like people have said go for a second opinion. I know my parents' cat (13 years old) needed 2 teeth pulled recently and with prep exam and anesthesia it was $500 (NY Metro area) so the price might be accurate for that many teeth if your cat needs it, which it might not. I know my vet saw early sign on gingivitis etc in our cats (4-5 years old) and recommended we get dental specific treats or this which is like fluoride etc that you add to their water. My guess is your cat might be showing signs of potential future issues, but I'd get a second opinion before having them pulled because you might be fine with preventative maintenance going forward.

Also my in-laws had to get a tooth pulled on their cat (also about 13 years old) and they have a friend who is a specialist (pet dentist, rather than a standard vet) and she told them what cost them $200-300 at their vet would have been $2,000 from her. Unless it's complicated dental work I wouldn't buy into a "specialist" a normal vet can normally do a standard tooth pulling.

edit: elaborated

Oraclens seems helpful for our 12-year-old dachshund. She has serious plaque and gum disease, but weekly treatments with this stuff help keep it under control.

What about supplements like PlaqueOff or Oxyfresh? Do you think they help at all?

http://www.amazon.com/EST-Coin-Cleaner-5oz-jar/dp/B000YQ6GXU

When I brought my puppy to her first vet visit, the vet said there were two things I could do to give her the longest, healthiest life possible: keep her at a healthy weight and brush her teeth. So I've been brushing every day since. It took a few months for my girl to get used to it, but now she comes running when I sit on the floor with her brush and toothpaste. Takes less than a minute. I use this stuff: https://www.amazon.com/Virbac-C-E-T-Oral-Hygiene-Kit/dp/B004ULZ2PI/

Yes, any soft bristled toothbrush. He’s gotten so used to it I just get a package of kids toothbrushes because I replace it every month.
This was the first toothbrush I started him with. I left it out all the time and he played with it like it was a toy. I was trying to get my point across to him that this is really fun. Whenever he would come up to me for pets I would play with his lips and touch his teeth. I wanted him to put together petting and having his mouth touched so it’s a positive experience. I really like the CET brand toothpaste, the chicken flavor, my cat is allergic to fish. It has enzymes so just getting some in their mouth helps break up the plaque. This process of getting them used to stuff is very slow and can take a couple weeks.

Once you feel comfortable handling them and they think toothbrushes are fun toys and treats start with the canines or an easy to reach tooth. Even a few seconds a day is better than nothing. I try to pick a time of day I notice that he is just chilling in his bed so he is calm. I put out some treats so he has something to focus on and he gets to eat them when I’m done. I squish his hips between my elbow and my side so he doesn’t feel the need to scoot back. If your cat is older be careful of her neck and back not to press down on them. I go in from the side under his whiskers and start with his front teeth. To get his molars I turn the handle around so it’s kind of opposite how you would brush your own teeth. I don’t want him to feel like I’m shoving something in his mouth. I’m gently sneaking in. If you feel like she’s getting stressed it’s ok to take a step back and play with toothbrushes, add toothpaste to a treat, or put some toothpaste on your finger and let her lick it off. Try not to get discouraged, anything you do will help. I also use a water additive and he loves greenies feline dental treats.

My cat doesn’t love his teeth being brushed but he tolerates it and then he goes back to sleep. I am weirdly passionate about brushing cats’ teeth so feel free to contact me if you want to. I think it’s a great way to bond and build trust.

/u/sillygirlsarah is an awesome quilter (& person btw) :D

Now you know! link

Happy early birthday! Thanks for the contest!