Does the toothbrush trick really work?

The wet toothbrush is the latest cat trend on social media and is meant to send moggies into a cat-atonic state. So I thought I’d test it out. Here’s what I found...

Here’s the theory. Despite being so small and rough, cats are meant to go ga-ga over being brushed with a wet toothbrush.

Why? Well, the dampness mixed with the tough bristles are meant to mimic the spiky papillae on their mum’s tongue. A few strokes could potentially send them back to the safety, security and comfort of being a kitten.

So does it work? Well, despite my scepticism, I’m alive. And the toothbrush got a positive response. My cat Cricket isn’t afraid to walk away if she isn’t a fan yet she seemed quite enamoured with the tiny brush. And while she didn’t quite revert to a catatonic kitten state, the most notable thing here is the lip licking. My feeling is that’s a reflex response to what she feels is her own lick. She just can’t work out how her tongue can reach around there.

So the toothbrush gets a tick.

Now, I’m off to buy a new toothbrush. I don’t need furry teeth of a different kind.