Natural Ways to Clean a Cat's Teeth

As in humans, healthy teeth are important for most animals, including cats. If a cat does not have healthy teeth or gums, infections, abscesses and even cancer or wounds can occur in the mouth. While several products available through pet stores or veterinarian offices help clean a cat's teeth, owners also have a variety of natural options.

  1. Food

    • Offering a cat dry, hard food at least once a day is a natural way to help clean the teeth. The food helps scrape debris from the surface of the teeth, and the crunching motion can also help grind up particles in the mouth that get swallowed when the food is swallowed. Offer the cat hard cat treats as well. Many pet supply stores have cat treats that are specifically designed to help clean the teeth.

    Brushing

    • Mix water and baking soda to create a natural toothpaste. Dip an old, soft toothbrush in the cleaning mixture. Wrap the cat up in a towel to help hold the cat still and protect you from getting scratched. You may want an assistant for this process. Open the cat's mouth and brush the teeth very quickly. Offer the cat some water when finished.

    Sangre de Drago

    • Visit your local natural health and beauty store and purchase some sangre de drago, which is a substance that is high in antioxidants and serves as a good natural source for teeth cleaning. Wrap your cat in that handy towel and apply the sangre de drago to the teeth and gums. Wait several minutes and use an old, damp toothbrush to scrub away the loosened plaque.

    Raw Bones

    • Offer your cat the uncooked bones from your chicken or turkey necks or purchase them directly from the grocery store. The bones will help the cat gnaw off plaque and other hard debris from the teeth and will probably taste pretty good to the cat as well. Note that you should never offer cooked bones to a cat (or any other pet), as they can splinter and cause serious harm or even death if choked upon.