Starting cat tooth brushing at 7

It sounds like your vet has given you a clear brief — daily brushing for your Snowshoe — and now you're figuring out how to actually make that happen when you've never done it before. That's a very common position to be in, and the good news is that seven isn't too late to start. Dental disease affects most cats over three and is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in cats — pain they hide completely, sometimes for years. So your vet is right to push this. Before I point you toward anything specific, can I ask: has your vet mentioned any existing tartar or gum inflammation, or are they hoping to get ahead of it? And do you have any sense yet of how your cat feels about having her mouth or face touched?

That's actually a really encouraging starting position. Early tartar with a generally handleable cat means you have a genuine chance of making daily brushing stick. The key thing to know is that the toothpaste matters enormously — cats will not tolerate mint, and the right enzymatic paste does real biochemical work even on days when the brushing is imperfect. The one I'd point you to first is Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste in the poultry flavour. It's the paste most used in veterinary practice in the UK, it's genuinely palatable to most cats, and the enzymes in it actively break down plaque between sessions. You just need a finger brush or a very soft toothbrush alongside it. Would it help to know exactly how to introduce it so she doesn't panic the first time?

That instinct is exactly right, and taking it slowly at the start is what makes the difference between a cat who accepts this for life and one who clamps up after day three. Start by just letting her lick a tiny amount of the Virbac paste off your finger for three or four days — no brushing, no touching the teeth, just the taste becoming familiar and associated with something positive. Once she's actively seeking it out, move to gently rubbing your finger along her outer gum line. Only when she's comfortable with that do you introduce the brush. The whole lead-up might take a week or two, but you'll end up with a much more cooperative cat. The outer surfaces of the back teeth are where tartar builds fastest, so even if you only manage those, you're doing the most important work.

Exactly. The Virbac CET paste is sold on its own and also sometimes in a kit with a finger brush included — worth checking which listing you're looking at before you buy. If it comes with the finger brush, perfect. If not, a basic finger brush is cheap and easy to find. The paste itself is the important bit. One tube lasts a reasonable while since you're only using a small amount each session. Given your vet is already watching this and you've got a calm cat to work with, I'd be surprised if you're not into a working routine within a month.

Glad to hear it. The fact that your vet caught this early and you're taking it seriously puts your Snowshoe in a genuinely good position. Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste, poultry flavour, slow introduction, outer back teeth first — that's your plan. Good luck with the first session.