Pets and Dental Health
Did you know that regularly brushing your pet’s teeth, providing a healthy diet and offering plenty of chew toys can have a huge impact on your their dental health? Many of our furry family members can show signs of gum disease at a young age because they aren’t provided with proper mouth care. What is the first sign of a problem? You guessed it, bad breath! With regular checks at home and by following the below tips, your pet will be on the right path to a healthy mouth.
We all know normal doggie-breath isn’t particularly fresh-smelling but if it is especially bad and is accompanied by a loss of appetite, vomiting or excessive drinking or urinating, then please schedule an appointment to bring him in for an evaluation. And for cats, that mild fishy scent known as “kitty breath” is considered normal. But if your cat has foul breath or is bleeding from the gums, this is a strong indicator he’s having oral problems and should also come in for an evaluation.
It’s important to establish a regular teeth cleaning routine at a young age. This will help your pet not only get used to the idea of having their teeth brushed but also be more effective in the fight against possible oral disease. Be ready though, it will take some time to get your pet used to the idea.
Canine Tooth Brushing: With a canine toothbrush and toothpaste use the following technique to get them on board with the brushing. Do not use human toothpaste as it can irritate the stomach.
• Massage the lips with your finger in a circular motion for 30 to 60 seconds once or twice a day for a few weeks. Then move on to the teeth and gums. Once comfortable being touched this way put a little bit of dog-formulated toothpaste on the lips to get your pet used to the taste. Next, introduce a toothbrush designed especially for dogs-it should be smaller than a human toothbrush and have softer bristles. Toothbrushes that you can wear over your finger (or a clean piece of gauze) are also available and allow you to give a nice massage to your dog’s gums.
• Finally, apply the toothpaste to her teeth for a gentle brushing. Hold brush at 45-degree angle to the teeth and clean in small, circular motions. Work on one area of your dog’s mouth at a time, lifting her lip as necessary.
• Work on one area of your dog’s mouth at a time, lifting her lip as necessary. The side of the tooth that touches the cheek usually has the most tartar, and giving a final downward stroke can help to remove it. Once you get the technique down, go for brushing two or three times a week.
Feline Tooth Brushing: With a feline toothbrush and toothpaste use the following technique to get them on board with the brushing. Do not use human toothpaste as it can irritate the stomach.
• Hold your kitty in your lap and let her get comfortable. Once she is relaxed, gently raise her lip on one side of her mouth and begin brushing on the outer portions of her teeth. Always brush down away from the gum line so that you loosen any embedded food particles and push them out of the mouth.
• On the bottom jaw, brush up away from the gum line. You may need to open her mouth by gently pinching her two cheeks between your two fingers, but cats will generally open up on their own once they taste the toothpaste.
• Continue working your way around the outside of her teeth on both sides until you have brushed the entire mouth. Allow her access to her water bowl once you’re finished. Chew toys help satisfy a dog’s natural desire to chew, while making their teeth strong. Cats also enjoy gnawing on bones which help massage their gums and help keep their teeth clean by scraping away soft tartar. We are happy to recommend toxin-free chew toys.
• Ask your veterinarian about a specially formulated dry food that can slow down the formation of plaque and tartar. Also, avoid feeding your dog table scraps, instead giving him treat that are specially formulated to keep canine teeth healthy. You may feed your cat a combination of wet and dry foods and vary the meats, too. If you have any questions or would like to bring your pet in for a dental evaluation or tooth brushing demonstration please call us anytime. 703.528.9001