Tartar in Cats: Causes, Treatment and Prevention
By Dr Joe Inglis BVSc MRCVS ·
Tartar is the hard, yellow-brown deposit that builds up on cats' teeth, usually starting on the upper back teeth and along the gumline. It forms when plaque, a soft film of bacteria, is left on the teeth and hardens. Tartar is a sign that bacteria are irritating the gums, and it often goes hand in hand with gum disease. Because cats hide pain so well, tartar may be one of the few visible clues that their mouth needs attention. This guide explains what causes tartar in cats, why it matters, and how to prevent it.
What is tartar?
Tartar, also called dental calculus, is plaque that has hardened on the teeth. Minerals in saliva, mainly calcium salts, are deposited into the soft bacterial film of plaque, turning it into a hard, rough crust that sticks firmly to the tooth.
In cats, tartar typically appears first on the outer surfaces of the upper premolars and molars at the back of the mouth, close to where the salivary glands open. It can also build up on the canine (fang) teeth and spread along and below the gumline.
Tartar's rough surface gives new plaque bacteria an easy place to attach, so once tartar starts forming, it tends to build up more quickly.
Plaque vs tartar: what's the difference?
Plaque and tartar are different stages of the same process.
| Plaque | Tartar | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A soft, sticky film of bacteria | Plaque that has hardened with minerals |
| Appearance | Hard to see; pale or creamy | Yellow, brown or grey crust |
| How quickly it forms | Within hours of eating | Within a few days, if plaque isn't removed |
| Can brushing remove it? | Yes | No |
| How it's removed | Daily brushing | Professional scaling by a vet |
| Main risk | Causes gingivitis and gum disease | Traps more plaque and bacteria against the gums |
The key point: plaque causes disease and can be removed at home. Tartar is what plaque becomes when it's left too long, and it needs professional treatment.
What causes tartar build-up in cats?
Tartar forms when plaque is left on the teeth long enough to harden. All cats produce plaque, so all cats can develop tartar. Factors that make it more likely include:
- No regular tooth brushing. Many cats are never brushed, which allows plaque to harden freely.
- Age. Tartar accumulates over time, so it is more common in middle-aged and older cats.
- Genetics and breed. Some cats form tartar much faster than others. Certain pedigree breeds, such as Siamese and Abyssinians, are thought to be more prone to gum disease.
- Crowded or misaligned teeth, including in flat-faced breeds such as Persians, which create more places for plaque to collect.
- Retained baby (deciduous) teeth, which can crowd the adult teeth.
- Chewing on one side. Cats with a sore mouth often avoid chewing on the painful side, so tartar builds up faster there.
Dry food is often thought to keep cats' teeth clean, but ordinary kibble has little effect. Specially designed dental diets are more effective.
Is tartar harmful to cats?
Yes. Tartar is a visible sign that plaque bacteria have been on the teeth for some time, and those bacteria cause disease.
- Gum disease. Bacteria held against the gums cause gingivitis, and can spread below the gumline to destroy the ligament and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed health problem in UK cats. Read more about dental disease in cats
- Stomatitis. In some cats, the immune system overreacts to plaque bacteria, causing severe, painful inflammation throughout the mouth. Read more about dental disease in cats
- Bad breath, caused by sulphur compounds released by bacteria.
- Pain, infection and tooth loss if left untreated.
Tartar can also hide other problems. Tooth resorption, a painful condition that is very common in cats, is not caused by tartar, but heavy tartar can conceal resorptive lesions at the gumline. Many lesions are only found once the teeth are cleaned and X-rayed under anaesthetic.
The amount of visible tartar doesn't reliably show how much disease is present. Some cats with little tartar have significant problems hidden below the gumline.
What does tartar look like?
If your cat is relaxed and happy to be handled, gently lift their upper lip at the side of the mouth to look at the back teeth. Don't force it, especially if their mouth may be sore. Tartar usually appears as:
- A yellow, brown or grey crust on the teeth, often starting at the gumline
- A rough, raised build-up that doesn't wipe away
- Thicker deposits on the upper back teeth in more advanced cases
Signs that tartar or gum disease may be causing problems include:
- A red line along the gums, a sign of gingivitis
- Bad breath
- Drooling, or saliva stained with blood
- Dropping food, chewing on one side, or swallowing biscuits whole
- Grooming less, leading to a scruffy coat
- Pawing at the mouth, or reluctance to have their face touched
Cats rarely stop eating because of dental pain, so a good appetite doesn't mean their mouth is comfortable.
Can I remove tartar from my cat's teeth at home?
No. Once tartar has formed, it can't be removed by brushing, treats, gels, water additives or supplements. These products can help slow new tartar forming, but they won't remove tartar that's already there.
Scraping tartar off with dental tools or fingernails is not recommended, because:
- It can't reach below the gumline, where the most harmful bacteria are.
- It can injure your cat. Cats' teeth and gums are small and delicate, and sudden movements make sharp instruments dangerous.
- It can damage the enamel, leaving scratches that attract plaque faster.
- It can hide disease, making teeth look cleaner while infection or tooth resorption continue.
- It's stressful for most cats, and can make them much harder to handle and examine in future.
The right approach is professional removal by a vet, followed by home care to slow plaque building up again.
How do vets remove tartar?
Tartar is removed during a dental procedure, often called a scale and polish, under general anaesthetic. A thorough feline dental includes:
- Pre-anaesthetic checks, including blood tests where needed, particularly for older cats
- Examination and charting of every tooth, probing around each one to check for pockets and hidden resorptive lesions
- Full-mouth dental X-rays, which are essential in cats for finding tooth resorption and disease below the gumline
- Scaling above the gumline with an ultrasonic scaler to remove tartar
- Scaling below the gumline, carefully cleaning the root surfaces inside the gum pocket
- Polishing to smooth the teeth and slow plaque build-up
- Treatment of diseased teeth, such as extracting teeth affected by resorption or advanced gum disease
- Pain relief and aftercare advice
In cats, removing tartar often reveals problems that weren't visible before, such as resorptive lesions at the gumline. This is why a full examination and X-rays are so important.
Why does tartar removal need an anaesthetic?
Anaesthetic-free tartar removal is not suitable for cats. Cats are unlikely to tolerate it, and it carries the same problems as in dogs, only more so:
- It can't clean below the gumline, where disease does the most harm.
- It doesn't allow X-rays or probing, so tooth resorption and gum disease go undiagnosed.
- It can't treat problems it finds, such as painful resorbing teeth.
- It risks injury to a cat's small, delicate mouth.
- It's highly stressful for most cats.
- It gives false reassurance, as teeth may look clean while painful disease continues.
A general anaesthetic allows every tooth to be properly examined, X-rayed, cleaned and treated, with no pain or stress for your cat. Modern anaesthesia is very safe when carefully planned and monitored, and pre-anaesthetic checks help identify and manage any extra risks, including in older cats.
How can I prevent tartar on my cat's teeth?
Preventing tartar means removing or reducing plaque before it hardens. The best time to start is with a clean mouth, either as a kitten or straight after a professional dental.
- Brush daily, if your cat will let you. Brushing is the most effective way to prevent tartar. Use a soft finger brush or small brush and a toothpaste made for cats, never human toothpaste. Start slowly, using lots of praise and treats, and build up over a few weeks. Starting with kittens works best.
- Try a dental diet. Some veterinary dental diets have a kibble designed to scrub the teeth as your cat chews, and are one of the most practical options for cats who won't accept brushing.
- Use anti-tartar products as extras. Some dental treats and water additives contain ingredients that slow tartar formation. Luna Plaque Protect works to reduce the build-up of dental plaque which is the precursor of dental tartar.
- Have regular dental checks every 6 to 12 months, so tartar and gum disease are caught early.
- Book a professional clean when advised. Treating tartar early reduces the risk of painful disease and extractions later.
Many cats won't tolerate brushing, and that's OK. For these cats, dental diets and regular checks are especially important.
Does my cat need a dental?
If you can see tartar on your cat's teeth, it's worth booking a dental check. Visible tartar usually means plaque has been building up for a while, and there may be gum disease or tooth resorption that can't be seen.
Book a dental check if your cat has:
- Visible tartar, especially along the gumline
- Red or swollen gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Broken, loose or damaged teeth
- Changes in eating, such as dropping food or chewing on one side
At Luna, we offer free in-person dental health assessments in our clinics, as well as our AI dental triage service online where our expert dental AI agent Bella can review photos of your cat’s teeth and make recommendations for dental bookings.
Contact a vet promptly if your cat has facial swelling, heavy drooling, bleeding from the mouth, has stopped eating, or seems to be in pain.
At the check, your vet can explain what they can see, what may be happening below the gumline, and whether a dental procedure is needed now.
How Luna can help
Luna the Dental Vets is a UK veterinary practice group dedicated entirely to dentistry for cats and dogs. Because dental care is all we do, every procedure focuses on cleaning and assessing below the gumline and finding hidden problems such as tooth resorption, not just removing visible tartar.
When your cat visits Luna, you can expect:
- A dental health check to assess your cat's tartar and gums and explain what we find
- Full-mouth dental X-rays as standard with every dental procedure
- Thorough scaling above and below the gumline, followed by polishing
- Detailed charting of every tooth, so you know exactly what was found and treated
- Careful anaesthesia and monitoring, with pain relief tailored to your cat
- Practical home-care advice, including options for cats who won't accept brushing
- Bespoke care packages through the Luna Dental Health Club
We have clinics in Bristol, Reading and Eastleigh, with Surbiton opening soon, and we welcome both direct bookings from owners and referrals from your regular vet.