DIY Homemade Cat Toothpaste: Recipe, Brushing Tips & Vet Advice

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By: Dr. Elizabeth DeLomba, DVM |
Published: February 2022 | Updated: September 2025

Did you know that unnoticed dental issues in cats can lead to more serious concerns in the kidneys, liver, and heart? Poor dental hygiene can also cause an unhealthy inflammatory response in the mouth, which may lead to discomfort and sore gums.

This discomfort can then manifest as behavior problems, which make it even harder to brush! But proper dental care and hygiene can lead to healthier cats and happier households. 

Not only is it important to have your veterinarian examine your cat's teeth at least once a year, but most vets recommend brushing your cat's teeth daily (or at least 1-3 times per week) to help keep teeth clean, gums healthy, and breath fresh. 

However, we know that's easier said than done! This helpful, vet-approved guide will help you: 

• better understand cat dental health 

• learn about non-toxic homemade cat toothpaste recipes 

• learn the best & easiest ways to brush your cat's teeth 

• explore science-backed alternatives to brushing for cats who struggle 
  

Pet-Safe Cat Toothpaste Options 

Cats benefit from regular, at-home dental care between veterinary cleanings, but pet parents need to make sure they're buying the appropriate toothpastes, brushes, and dental care items. 

Be sure to never use human toothpastes or homemade baking soda formulas to brush your cats—these aren't guaranteed to be pet-safe. Toothpaste formulas designed for humans may use ingredients like fluoride, xylitol, and artificial flavorings that could lead to digestive issues or even be toxic to your cat! Cats are highly likely to swallow whatever pastes you use to brush, so it's extremely important to only use non-toxic, pet-friendly ingredients. 

Many brick-and-mortar and online pet stores sell pet toothpaste for cats, which use gentle ingredients and a variety of flavorings to try to boost the appeal of the product. However, the added ingredients to support dental health may cause your car to turn up their nose (and shut their teeth tight!). 

If you're struggling to brush your cat's teeth with an enzymatic toothpaste or similar dental kit for cats, you (and your cat) might love our easy, three-step DIY cat toothpaste recipe. 

Homemade Cat Toothpaste Recipe 

Whether you've tried conventional cat toothpastes and struggled to meet your brushing goals, or you're just getting started on a healthy dental routine with your cat, our simple do-it-yourself homemade cat toothpaste recipe can make it easier to clean those not-so-pearly whites. 

A bonus benefit of this recipe is that it can be personalized with your cat's favorite flavorings. This specific recipe uses chicken broth or puree, but if your cat prefers beef, turkey, or tuna, you can adjust the recipe to fit your cat's preferences! 

Ingredients:  

• 1 tbsp. coconut oil (soft but not melted) 

• 1 tsp. chicken broth or puree (or flavor enhancer of your choice) 

• ½ tbsp. Dental Care Powder 

 Optional Additives: 

While the ingredients above are all you really need to make a simple, easy-to-use homemade cat toothpaste, there are a few more optional ingredients you can add to customize your formula to your cat! (We recommend choosing one to start.) 

• ¼ tsp finely chopped parsley for fresh breath 

• ¼ tsp finely chopped basil or thyme for a fresh flavor boost 

• ¼ tsp dried catnip to entice pickier cats 

Instructions: 

1. In a clean, small bowl, combine coconut oil and chicken broth or puree (or chosen flavor enhancer). Mix until combined. 
2. Add Dental Care Powder and mix until smooth. 
3. Transfer the mixture to an air-tight, food-safe container and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. 

Your homemade cat toothpaste is ready to use!

Scoop out a pea-size amount per brushing session and be sure to always return it to the fridge. 

How to Brush a Cat's Teeth: A Step-By-Step Guide 

The earlier you can start practicing brushing with your cat, the easier the process will be. It's also a great opportunity to bond positively with your pet. Starting as young as possible gets them used to you looking in their mouth, but you can start at any age.  

For all pets, but especially for cats, patience and consistency are important to creating a healthy, happy dental care routine.

Step 1: Let Them Acclimate to the Toothpaste & Toothbrush 

At first, just let your cat taste-test your homemade toothpaste. If you've used a flavor enhancer they like, they should hopefully want to lick it right up! Apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush, your finger, or into their usual bowl. Do this a few times to help them get used to flavor and texture. 

For very picky cats, you may need to start with a lickable cat treat that you squeeze onto the toothbrush. While tasty treats like Churu can't pass as toothpaste, building positive associations now will pay off in the long run. 

Step 2: Be Gentle and Don't Pry 

When you first start cleaning their teeth, be sure to make it a good experience. Instead of trying to pry their mouth open to access the teeth, gently lift the top lip to rub one or two teeth at a time. 

Sensitive cats may be nervous to be held or contained while getting their teeth brushed, so it's important to sit behind or beside them to gently help keep them still. Avoid grabbing, scruffing, or wrapping up your cat just to brush their teeth, as that could cause extreme reactions. 

Step 3: Focus on Consistency 

Patience and consistency are the most important things when it comes to learning how to brush your cat's teeth. Don't rush to brush more teeth than they're ready for, or you may cause them to fear the brush or have a negative association with the toothbrush. 

When you first start brushing your cat's teeth, go slow and try to brush for only a few seconds at a time. Brushing 1 or 2 teeth is a big win!  

Step 4: Get Creative with Brushing 

Rubber or plastic finger brushes can work just as well, or better, than small, soft pet toothbrushes, depending on your cat's preferences and comfort level.  

However, if your cat already has a negative association with toothbrushes or you're concerned about using a physical toothbrush, here's a pro tip from Dr. Elizabeth DeLomba, DVM ("Dr. E"), the Senior Veterinary Services Consultant for VetriScience: 

"Some cats don’t like the feeling of a hard toothbrush, so be creative! You can use a wet gauze square or a thin piece of dampened washcloth to start gently wiping the teeth and gums. Bonus: Using a light-colored cloth will let you see the yellowish plaque that is full of bacteria that you have removed from the teeth." 

Step 5: Reward Often! 

Hopefully, your homemade cat toothpaste is so tasty that your cat will find the act of licking its lips rewarding all by itself!  

However, positive reinforcement is a critical part of building a healthy dental routine with your cat. Have a few of your cat's favorite treats on hand to reward them after you've brushed a few teeth, so they'll learn that not only is teeth-brushing time not scary—it's the BEST. 

Dental Care for Cats: No Brushing Required 

While homemade cat toothpaste, specialty cat toothbrushes, step-by-step guides, and expert vet advice can go a long way in helping you establish healthy dental care routines for your cat, we understand that it may take some time!

And some cats may never be fully comfortable getting their teeth brushed every day.

Fortunately, there are vet-formulated and science-backed dental powders, treats, and chews for cats that can help you support gum health, reduce plaque, and fight bad breath in-between routine cleanings.

Dental Care Powder for Cats 

VetriScience® Dental Care powder is an easy addition to any daily routine. The aromatic, highly palatable dental powder for cats is simple to use and can be mixed with treats or added directly to their bowl at mealtimes. Give twice daily for best results! Dental Care powder is also available in a 16 oz value size that's perfect for multi-pet homes. 

Our dental powder formula was clinically tested in a double-blind study of dogs and showed incredible results: it was shown to reduce plaque by 20% and tartar by 18% in just 28 days. 

"I feel good giving them all such quality ingredients that they all readily eat. It has definitely improved their breath." 
- J 

Dental Care Bites for Cats 

Dental Care Bites by VetriScience® are made with the same science-backed ingredients as our powder—including natural zeolites, cranberry, probiotics, and yucca schidigera—to maintain dental health, plus breath-busting ingredients like spirulina, parsley, cinnamon, and mushroom to leave your cat's breath smelling fresh. 

"My finicky cat loves the flavor of these! He comes running when he sees the bag." 
- Trav 

FAQ 

• Can cats use human toothpaste?
  • No, cats should not use toothpaste formulated for people. Human toothpaste often contains ingredients that aren’t safe for cats to swallow. Choose a feline-specific product or the safe recipe above. 
    
    
• Is baking soda safe in cat toothpaste?
  • Sometimes, but it's best to avoid baking soda in homemade cat toothpaste. It’s not necessary and can irritate their stomach if swallowed. The recipe above excludes baking soda by design. 
    
    
• How often should I brush?
  • Brushing your cat's teeth daily is the gold standard and is the absolute best way to support good dental hygiene. However, brushing several times weekly still helps. If you can only brush a few times a month, that's still better than no brushing at all. Be sure to keep sessions short and positive! 
    
    
• What if my cat refuses the toothpaste?
  • If your cat turns up their nose at enzymatic toothpastes for cats, try the homemade cat toothpaste recipe above! Experiment with different flavor enhancers and optional additives until you find a paste formula that your cat loves. 
    
    
• Can I mix toothpaste into cat food instead of brushing?
  • No, unfortunately mixing toothpaste into cat food doesn’t provide the mechanical cleaning that brushing delivers. However, Dental Care powder is designed to be ingested, and can be used as a food topper to deliver important dental health benefits!