When Should You Start Brushing a Kitten's Teeth?

When should you start brushing a kitten's teeth? Start getting her used to your fingers at her mouth as soon as she's settled in at home. The brush itself can come a little later, once she's relaxed. Vet sources agree on one thing: the younger she starts, the easier it tends to go.

Bringing a kitten home over the holidays? Once she's eating, playing and curling up on laps, she's ready. Just keep it gentle while her adult teeth come in, because teething gums can be sore. Below: when to start brushing kitten teeth, how teething changes the plan, what the vet checks, and a simple first month.

Why Is Younger Better?

Kittens usually get used to brushing faster than grown cats do. International Cat Care (iCatCare) says the younger you start, the more likely your cat is to accept it. It adds that kittens don't usually take long to get used to brushing. Older cats just need more time and patience.

VCA Animal Hospitals agrees that the best time to start is while she's still young. Vets plan for it, too. The AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines include it in their kitten checklist. Get her used to mouth handling, and to having her teeth brushed or wiped.

So for now, the real goal is trust. A kitten who's relaxed about a hand near her mouth is a kitten you can care for. That pays off for the rest of her life.

When Do Her Adult Teeth Come In?

Her baby teeth arrive in her first weeks, and adult teeth replace them from about 3½ months. The Merck Veterinary Manual says the first baby teeth come in at 2 to 4 weeks of age. By about 8 weeks, she has all 26 baby teeth, says PetMD.

Then the swap begins. VCA says teething starts around 3½ to 4 months and lasts until about 6 months. Her adult teeth push the baby teeth out. She ends up with 30 adult teeth.

So a kitten adopted at a few months old may start teething soon after she settles in. That's fine. It changes how you brush, not whether you start.

Can You Brush a Teething Kitten?

Yes, gently. Think of teething as training time, not cleaning time. PetMD suggests using these months to train her to accept a toothbrush, rather than brushing hard. It suggests a soft finger brush and a little cat toothpaste to gently massage her teeth and gums.

Check her gums before each session. On days they look sore, keep it to a few seconds. Or skip her mouth and just stroke her cheeks. If teething seems to bother her, ask your vet what will help.

You may also notice her mouthing your hands more. VCA's teething guide says not to let her chew on your hands or feet. Give her a toy instead. Our guide to the best toys for kittens at each age covers what suits a teething mouth.

PetMD notes that teething can bring drooling and some trouble eating. A mouth that hurts for other reasons can look the same. Call your vet if you notice any of these:

What If Baby Teeth Don't Fall Out?

If you see two teeth in one spot, show your vet. Sometimes a baby tooth stays put after the adult tooth comes in. VCA says food can get trapped between the two teeth and the gums, which can lead to dental disease. The teeth can also rub or grow in at the wrong angle.

PetMD adds that retained baby teeth can crowd the mouth. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) lists retained baby teeth among the reasons to get her teeth checked sooner. VCA says the vet will usually remove the baby tooth, unless it's already very loose.

Your daily handling helps here. A kitten who lets you lift her lip is a kitten you can check.

What Will the Vet Check?

Her kitten checkups include a look inside her mouth. The AAHA/AAFP guidelines ask vets to check kittens for a bad bite or problems with growing teeth. They also call for a dental exam and a talk about home care, such as brushing or wiping her teeth.

Bring your questions to her first visit. Ask how her bite looks and how her baby teeth are doing. Ask your vet to show you how to brush her, too. Ask which home-care products suit her age. After that, the AVMA says a vet should check her teeth and gums at least once a year.

What Do You Need to Start?

A small soft brush, a toothpaste made for cats, and a few seconds a day. Pick a small, soft toothbrush made for cats. iCatCare says to use finger brushes with caution. It says you should probably avoid them in most cases. You could get bitten. Those tiny kitten teeth are sharp.

Use only toothpaste made for cats. The Cornell Feline Health Center warns that human products can be toxic to cats. Our guide on why human toothpaste isn't for cats explains more.

One option is LitterBond's enzymatic cat toothpaste, in a 100 g pump. Start with a lick from your fingertip. It helps reduce plaque and freshens breath. Cats can't spit, so she'll swallow a little. Keep to a pea-sized dab. No brush comes with it.

For the very first step, you don't need a brush at all. LitterBond's PurrWipes dental finger wipes slip over one finger. A fingertip is softer and more familiar to her than bristles. The textured surface is designed to help lift plaque and food buildup. Use them alongside brushing later, not instead of it. A wipe still puts your finger near those sharp teeth. Stay on the outer surfaces with her lip lifted, and stop if she nips.

What Does the First Month Look Like?

Short sessions at the same calm time each day, one small step a week. In week one, stroke her cheeks and lips during cuddles, then give her a favorite snack. In week two, lift her lip and rub a fingertip or a finger wipe along a few outer teeth. In week three, let her lick a dab of cat toothpaste off your finger, then off a soft brush. In week four, brush the outside of a few teeth, about ten seconds a side to start, as iCatCare suggests. On sore-gum days, go back a step.

Some kittens move faster, and some need more time. For the full plan, see our slow, step-by-step plan for cats who resist brushing. And if she never takes to a brush, our guide on how to clean cat teeth without brushing covers gentler options.

If you do one thing this week, make it this. During a calm cuddle, touch her lips for a second, then give her a snack. Do it again tomorrow. By the time her adult teeth are in, a hand near her mouth may feel like nothing new.

More kitten teeth questions

Do kittens swallow their baby teeth?

Often, yes, and that's normal. VCA Animal Hospitals says swallowing baby teeth is very common and harmless. So don't worry if you never find one on the floor.

How often should you brush once she's used to it?

Once a day is the goal. VCA Animal Hospitals says veterinary dentists recommend brushing once daily. It adds that a couple of times a week is better than never.

Can you use gauze before moving to a brush?

Yes, as an in-between step. VCA's kitten brushing guide suggests gauze or a damp cloth, rubbed along her gums at the tooth line. It comes after rubbing her lips and gums with your fingers, and before the toothbrush.

Is bad breath normal while a kitten is teething?

It can be. PetMD says the familiar "kitten breath" smell is linked to teething. If bad breath hangs on once her adult teeth are in, ask your vet to take a look.

Related reading

• Cat Won't Let You Brush Her Teeth? A Slow, Step-by-Step Plan
• How to Clean Your Cat's Teeth Without Brushing: 7 Options, Ranked