Oral Care

Holistic Oral Care for Cats: What I Wish I Had Known Sooner

I'll be honest—when I first started raising cats, I had no idea that brushing their teeth was even a thing. It wasn’t until one of my cats developed such severe stomatitis that she had to have six teeth removed that I realized how crucial oral care is. Watching her struggle with pain and inflammation broke my heart, and it sent me down a rabbit hole of research on how to prevent dental disease naturally. That experience completely changed how I care for my cats’ teeth, and now, I do everything I can to keep their mouths healthy before problems arise.

The Importance of Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth

Brushing your cat’s teeth regularly is the best way to prevent plaque buildup, gingivitis, and bad breath. I use a gentle, pet-safe toothbrush along with my homemade toothpaste made from coconut oil and colloidal silver. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties, while colloidal silver helps fight harmful bacteria in the mouth. I know brushing can be a challenge at first, but with patience, most cats will tolerate it—especially if you start young.

Oxydrops: A Natural Oral Rinse

For cats who don’t love brushing, I also use oxydrops (stabilized chlorine dioxide) in their water or applied directly to their gums. This helps kill bacteria, reduce plaque buildup, and freshen breath without any chemicals or artificial additives.

Natural Chewing Options for Oral Health

Cats in the wild maintain healthy teeth by chewing on bones, tendons, and fur-covered prey. We can mimic this natural dental care by offering appropriate chews that help scrape away plaque and strengthen jaw muscles. Some great options include:

• Rabbit ears with fur – The fur acts as a natural toothbrush, aiding in plaque removal.

• Turkey tendons – These are softer than bones but still provide excellent dental benefits.

• Raw meaty bones (supervised) – Chicken necks or small, raw bones can help naturally clean teeth.

Additional Holistic Oral Care Tips

• Raw Diet Benefits: A raw diet naturally supports oral health by reducing the starchy residues that kibble leaves behind, which can contribute to tartar buildup.

• Natural Remedies: Some holistic pet owners use safe herbs like myrrh or goldenseal (in diluted form) for their natural antibacterial properties.

• Probiotics for Gum Health: Just like gut health, oral health benefits from good bacteria. Adding probiotics to your cat’s diet may help reduce bad bacteria in the mouth.

What I've Learned

After seeing firsthand how painful, not to mention EXPENSIVE, dental disease can be, I’m passionate about preventing it naturally. A little effort now—whether it’s brushing, using oxydrops, or providing natural chews—can save your cat from unnecessary pain and costly dental procedures later.

I wish I had known all of this sooner, but now that I do, I’m committed to sharing what I’ve learned so that other cat owners don’t have to go through what I did. If you’re just starting out with oral care, don’t stress—every small step helps, and your cat will thank you for it in the long run!