Since February is National Pet Dental Health Month, it’s a
good time to review your pet’s oral health. Here are some tips on how to start
a dental hygiene routine with your dog or cat.
How to
start a dental hygiene routine
·
See your veterinarian
o They can detect
any periodontal diseases
o Help determine the health of your pet’s teeth
·
Get the right tools
o Use a
dog/cat toothbrush
o Use dog/cat
formulated toothpaste
§ Never use
human toothpaste. The foaming agent in fluoride can cause upset stomachs and
other health problems
§ Dog/cat
toothpaste comes in flavors that could help the process
·
Gradually introduce your pet to the toothbrush and
toothpaste
o Leave the
toothpaste out so they can smell and taste it
o Provide
treats so they think it’s a good thing
o Rub the
toothpaste on your pet’s mouth, teeth and lips. Give them a favorite treat and
praise them
§ Do this for
several days to a couple of weeks
o Once your
pet is adjusted to the toothpaste, introduce them to the toothbrush
§ Put
toothpaste on it and let them lick it off
§ Use treats
and lots of praise
·
Once you’ve gotten your pet to accept the toothbrush,
start brushing in short intervals and use lots of praise
o Then work
up to a more thorough cleaning, 30 seconds or longer
o Focus on
the outside of the teeth
§ The inside
is less likely to have any plaque build up
o The best
way to get access is to stroke the side of their face and then run toothbrush
along gum line at about 45 degree angle
·
Try to keep it fun for your pet which will make it
easier to do daily
Alternatives
If you don’t want to brush your pet’s teeth daily, there are
alternatives to a toothbrush and toothpaste. ·
Dental treats o Don’t
forget this is extra calories. Feed your dog a little bit less to account for
the calories in dental treats, so he doesn’t gain weight. ·
Dog chews o Look for
natural products that have a little bit of give to them like bully sticks. ·
Raw bones o Raw, meaty
bones, on the other hand, are a great option to help clean your dog’s teeth
naturally. o Raw bones
are soft enough not to splinter but tough enough to give your dog’s teeth and
jaws a workout. ·
Dental powder o Helps with
plaque, tartar and bad breath o Sprinkle
directed amount on pet’s food daily ·
Chew toys o Chewing
helps remove plaque and tartar as well as stimulating your dog’s gums. o Look for
soft rubber toys with interesting textures that can help scrub in between your
dog’s teeth. ·
Dental spray o Dental
spray could be an option if your dog won’t let you put your fingers in his
mouth. o Dental
sprays can help with bad breath, but they contain enzymes to help battle plaque,
tartar, and gingivitis. ·
Dental wipes o If your dog
tolerates you putting your finger in his mouth but won’t let you upgrade to a
toothbrush, dental wipes may be a good option. A dental wipe will help you
stimulate your dog’s gums better than with just your finger o It’s also less
messy than putting toothpaste on your finger and rubbing it around your dog’s
mouth.