Pet Dental Care Tips
Bad mouth hygiene and dental disease are such major problems that we have an entire awareness month dedicated to them! Dental problems range from bad breath to life-threatening diseases. The best time to get started improving your pet’s dental health was yesterday, but the next best time is today. Here are some tips regarding pet dental health to help you keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
Brush Their Teeth
It may seem like obvious advice, but many pet owners let this chore slide, resulting in expensive vet visits where dental treatment can cost hundreds of dollars. Consistent tooth brushing is the single most effective way to prevent serious dental problems. Daily brushing is highly suggested by vets, but even just a few times a week will go a long way in maintaining your pet’s dental health. If your pet is not used to having their teeth brushed, it may take some time to train them to be comfortable with the activity, but consistent brushing can turn a bothersome ordeal into a bonding experience. One last note is to find the right toothpaste for your pet. DO NOT use human toothpaste, which may contain harmful ingredients, to brush your pet’s teeth. Use pet-specific toothpastes, many of which come in flavors that are more appealing to pets. Try to find one your pet likes in order to make brushing an enjoyable event.
Visit the Vet
Of course, by the time your pet starts experiencing dental issues, a vet visit will be in order. However, preemptive visits will save you a lot of money, effort and pain (for both you and your pet) in the long run. Vet visits often result in unexpected expenses, but that is nothing compared to how the sky-high costs of emergency visits or complicated but preventable procedures. Regular dental care can prevent vet visits, but a regular cleaning may be something you invest into once a year or so. Pet insurance is a great way to make an otherwise costly routine procedure into something that is entirely attainable. They can very easily lower the cost of any routine or emergency work.
Get Them Chewing
So you have brushing down. What else can you do to help your pet maintain good dental hygiene? This next part is a lot more fun for your pet. Tapping into their biological need for gnawing, ripping, and shredding. Cleaning the way their ancestors have for thousands of years. Cats too!! Gnawing on treats abrasive surfaces can help clean teeth and gums. As far as treats go, raw meaty bones or bully sticks all get the job done. Raw bones have the added benefit over smoked to be in it’s naturally pliable state (making it safer) and having a plethora of beneficial bateria and enzymes to clean up any nasties in your pets mouth. A study conducted by Rutgers University showed that there was a 50 - 80 percent reduction in bacteria when using one of the aforementioned treats. For cats, try some duck, chicken or turkey necks. Toys with rough, bumpy surfaces can be helpful as well, such as rope toys or toys with bristles. Toys should not be the sole source of chewing for a pet. The previously mentioned need for ripping and shredding unfortunately applies to toys too, as much as we don’t want it to sometimes. If toys become damaged, remove and dispose of them. No one wants a blocked up pup. None of these are a substitute for brushing, but can be a great way to supplement your pet’s tooth care. I’m sure they won’t complain about the treats!
Kibble DOES NOT Clean Their Teeth
While we’re talking about chewing, it is a common misconception that the roughness of kibble also helps scrape and clean your pet’s teeth. In actuality, the opposite is true! For one, cats tend to not chew kibble, rather swallow them whole, so there’s little tooth contact. Second, kibble tends to be made out of a significant amount of carbohydrates, like grains such as rice and wheat—materials that stick to the teeth—and, unless abrased, will remain stuck on your pet’s teeth. For dogs, these food remnants promote bacteria, plaque and eventually tartar accumulation, which can lead to some more serious dental diseases. While many pet owners cannot avoid feeding their pets kibble, taking the aforementioned active steps in cleaning your pet’s teeth can help maintain a happy, healthy mouth.
Know What to Look For
Here are some signs that your pet may have dental issues. First off, check their breath. Of course, your dog or cat’s breath probably won’t smell like roses, but an obviously bad smell may indicate that your pet has dental problems. Your pets’ gums can also give clear signs of problems. Swollen, bleeding or receding gums are a strong indicator that there is something wrong. Next, check the teeth. Yellow or darker teeth are not good, especially if you notice a lot of tartar buildup. If you notice any cracks, looseness or developing abscesses, it’s time to see the vet. Lastly, if your pet’s eating habits suddenly change, it may be an indication that there is a problem with their mouth. If you notice them chewing their food differently, or losing weight from not eating as much, a vet visit is in order.
