Cat Dental Wipes For Oral Health: A Complete Guide

Last Updated: 4 months ago

If you’re looking for the best cat teeth cleaning wipes, keep reading!

Below, we’ll go over all the benefits of cat dental wipes and how to use them.

Then, we’ll take a deep dive into the best brands on the market with reviews, pros and cons.

Let’s get started!

Why Should You Use Cat Dental Wipes?

If you’re a cat owner who thought that the only teeth you’d have to worry about were your own, you are wrong.

Cats can’t take care of their teeth on their own and require the patience and resilience of their owners to help them out!

If no one helps to look out for their teeth, cats can face an array of dental problems in the future. 

Quite like humans, cats are stubborn when it comes to dental hygiene. The best form of dental care they can receive is someone brushing their teeth manually.

Of course, it isn’t always possible for all cats because it’s an uncomfortable process, both for the pet and the owner.

Which leaves owners wondering: how can they give their cats optimal dental care from home without it being such an arduous process?

Luckily, dental wipes for cats have a softer exterior and are a great alternative to toothbrushing.

Before we get into which are worth your time and money, let’s explore what teeth cleaning wipes can do for your furry friend. 

What are Cat Detnal Wipes?

Because manually brushing your cat’s teeth can sometimes be a tricky situation, dental wipes were developed to make things easier for you.

They can save you from some bites and scratches during the inevitable tussle that will occur when you try to manually open your cat’s mouth and stick a toothbrush in there. 

At the same time, they give your cat some comfort and peace of mind.

You don’t need to worry about your cat swallowing any toothpaste or running off halfway through. 

Cat teeth cleaning wipes are specially designed and textured to gently cleanse your cat’s gums.

Dental wipes will also come in different flavors, giving you the option to find something your cat enjoys tasting.

How to Use Cat Dental Wipes

Firstly, you’ll need a dental wipe of a small size. Place it around your index finger and begin to gently scrub your cat’s teeth.

Don’t forget to get the back teeth! After your cat’s entire gum line and teeth have been cleansed, you’re done.

Give your kitty a tasty treat as an extra reward for allowing you into their mouth.

With enough care, you can get close to the same results you would get from using a toothbrush without the awkwardness and distrust you can get from the latter.

• Place your cat on a table to get better leverage.
• Getting your cat to lie down can prevent them from immediately reacting and might save you a scratch or two.
• Remember to be gentle and remain calm.
• You can hold your kitty’s head with one hand while using the other to rub their gum line.
• Talking in a soothing voice can also help to calm your cat and keep them relaxed while you both go through this uncomfortable process.  

Cleaning Plaque Off a Cat’s Teeth Between Cleanings

Chewing exercises are the answer here! Using dental treats and food will help stop tartar buildup and effectively remove plaque over time.

There are also special toys that can be bought filled with catnip to encourage chewing from your kitty.

This also helps with removing plaque and effectively discourages plaque buildup.  

A Word About Peppermint Oil

You’ll notice that many cat tooth cleaning products use peppermint oil and mint flavoring.

First, real peppermint oil (versus flavoring) can be toxic to cats.  Mint is also a strong smell that many cats hate. 

It’s very hard to find cat teeth cleaning wipes that are 100% peppermint-free. It seems like every brand thinks that just because we humans find it refreshing, our pets will, too.

We managed to find some without it, as well as one that uses very minimal amounts. According to those brands, their safety tests show that their wipes are not toxic to cats.

However, if your cat really hates peppermint or you want to err on the side of caution, stick to the ones that don’t contain any at all.

FAQs

Best Dental Wipes For Cats

Now that we know why we’d want to spend our hard-earned money on them, let’s take a look at the best dental wipes for cats.

1. MOKAI Cat Dental Wipes

MOKAI Dental Wipes for Dogs and Cats use 100% natural ingredients and are highly recommended by fellow pet parents.

The main cleaning action comes from their chlorhexidine, glucose, and sodium hexametaphosphate formula.

It does contain peppermint oil. However, according to the brand’s comments on reviews, the amount is very minimal.

They added:

“Our team carried out a quality control analysis to guarantee that the dental wipes do not have any toxic reactions in any animal.”

Benefits

• 100% natural ingredients  
• Made in the USA in an FDA-approved facility
• Reduces dental calculus, tartar buildup, plaque, and bad breath  

Cons

• Uses peppermint oil (in minimal amounts)
• Some say that the minty smell is too strong and their cats hate it 

2. Bluestem Cat Dental Wipes

Though it is a pricier pack than cheaper brands, there can be no cost for optimal safety.

Bluestem uses a coactiv+ formula that is scientifically proven to discourage and fight against tartar and plaque buildup.

This means a brighter and healthier purr for longer before you have to take a wipe to your fur child’s sharp teeth again.

We are glad to find that no peppermint or mint flavoring is employed with there products.

benefits

• Employs a mild vanilla flavor that your pet will enjoy  
• It helps fight plaque and tartar buildup  
• Has coactiv+ formula that is scientifically proven to give optimal dental hygiene

Cons

• Wipes are square and large
• Works on lighter plaque, but will take time to see results

3. Petkin Cat Dental Wipes

It seems that dental wipes wish to treat dogs and cats alike, but even though they are both domestic pets, this doesn’t mean they should be treated as the same animal.

Petkin is a highly popular and used brand, but keep in mind that this particular product uses mint flavoring.

Of course, every cat will be different, so you can always try experi-minting (if you’ll excuse the pun) with the smell and seeing if your cat likes it before deciding to purchase these.

But if you’d rather be on the safe side and just get something that will definitely work, then we recommend trying another product.   

benefits

• Great for dogs and their daily hygiene 
• It cleans teeth, gums, plaque, and tartar 
• Cheap and highly reviewed product 

Cons

• Mint flavoring (but not actual peppermint oil)
• Not as textured as they could be 

4. Maxi-Guard Cat Dental Wipes

No products found.

The MaxiGuard wipes feature a zinc formula that helps to maintain teeth and combat plaque and tartar buildup.

The textured design of the wipes is great for battling that plaque while remaining smooth and comfortable for your cat.

Since they are a bit large, it may take more patience than usual to effectively clean your cat’s mouth.

We suggest cutting the wipes to a more manageable size, especially if your cat is on the smaller size.

It’ll also make it easier for you to grip as you hold your cat in the other hand.

All in all, these are great wipes that use a taste-free formula, so your cat’s comfortability takes priority in this process.  

benefits

• Reduces plaque and tartar buildup 
• Taste-free formula that encourages pet comfortability 
• Veterinarian-recommended zinc formula  

Cons

• Older wipes are inconveniently large 
• Not meant for all ages; only 6 weeks or older  

Conclusion

As you explore this dental care alternative for your furry friend, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, most cats hate peppermint, so if a brand overdoes it with the minty flavoring, you’ll have a harder time getting the job done.

Second, too much real peppermint oil is toxic to cats. If you do choose a brand that uses it, stick to their recommendations and don’t use them more often than directed.

Last, if you have any concerns about your kitty’s teeth, please call your vet!

If any of these products aren’t for you, just be sure to do your research to ensure a safe and healthy option for your cat.

Do you use any of these cat teeth cleaning wipes? Share your opinions below.

Resources:

• PetMD.com
• VetCornell.edu

Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API