Dental Care in Dogs and Cats IIPet Type Dog Issue General Health Preventing and Treating Dental disease
There are several different ways of treating and preventing dental disease, these range from regular brushing of your pets teeth, to feeding a high quality diet. - This is the best way by far of keeping your pets teeth clean, the so called 'Gold Standard' of dental care.
- It can be challenging to get your pet to accept having their teeth brushed, especially if they haven't had it done since a baby, but it is not impossible, and definitely worth the effort.
- You should always use special animal toothbrushes and toothpastes; these will make the job much easier.
Toothbrushes - There are various types of special brushes available for brushing your pets teeth. All are designed to fit easily into the animal's mouth, remove plaque without damaging the gums, and be easy to use.
- One type of brush that can be very useful is the finger brush, this is a thimble shaped rubber brush that fits over your finger. These can be easier to use that normal brushes as they are easier to manipulate and can be more easily accepted by your pet.
Toothpastes - It is really important that you use an animal toothpaste when you are brushing your pets teeth.
- Human toothpastes are not designed to be swallowed, and can be damaging to the stomach lining.
- Pet toothpastes are flavoured, for example with fish or chicken, so animals will take to them readily.
- Pet toothpastes do not foam like human ones, so do not worry if you are brushing your pet's teeth and it doesn't foam, it is still working.
- Pet toothpastes tend to be 'enzymatic' this means they are active on their own, and will break down the bacteria that cause the plaque and tartar. This means that you do not have to brush them on, just getting them onto your pets teeth will help, but brushing will make them work more effectively.
- They also contain ingredients which help them stick to the teeth, the longer they are in-contact with the tooth surface, the more plaque and bacteria they will be able to break down.
 |  |  | Pet toothpastes are 'enzymatic', meaning they are active with or without brushing
| Toothbrush and toothpaste kits are available.
| Using a finger brush is a good way of keeping your dogs teeth clean, they can be easier to use than toothbrushes
| A step by step guide of how to brush your pets teeth. - First of all, make sure your pet is used to being handled around the mouth. When they are relaxed at home, play with their mouths, lifting their lips, stoking them and looking at their teeth. This first step is the most important, and it may take some weeks before they are totally happy.
- Next, get them used to the flavour of the pet toothpastes. The toothpastes are flavoured and most animals will take to them readily. If they like the flavour of the paste, they are much more likely to view having their teeth brushed as a treat.
- Introduce the brushing, either with a toothbrush, or a finger brush. Start with just a couple of teeth and over time progress until you are brushing all the teeth at every session. Also, try to brush all four sides of the teeth when you are brushing.
- Try to brush the teeth at least every other day. The harmful plaque that attacks the gums will build up to toxic levels in only 2 days.
- If you do brush the teeth every other day, then on the days in-between, use chews or biscuits to help keep the teeth clean.
- Always give your pet a treat after they have had their teeth brushed, and make lots of fuss of them. It will be easier for you both if your pet enjoys having their teeth brushed.
Remember - Persevere!! It is not easy to get an animal to accept having its teeth brushed, but it is not impossible, take it slowly and keep going. The benefits are enormous.
- If the teeth bleed, don't panic! Think how often our own teeth bleed when we brush, it never hurts does it? It is the same for animals, and as the gum health improves, the bleeding should stop.
- Make it fun! Always give you animal lots of praise and treat them after you have finished. They should find having their teeth brushed a positive experience.
- Prevention is better than cure, keeping your pets teeth clean will mean they are healthier, not in pain and can avoid veterinary dental treatment under anaesthetics in later life.
Dental Chews - Another way of keeping the teeth clean is to use special dental chews.
- These are mainly designed for dogs, not many cats will actively use chews.
- These chews are specially shaped. They are designed to fit into a dog's mouth and rub against the teeth, especially the molars at the back, in order to keep the teeth clean.
- The texture of the chews also helps them to stay solid and scrape the teeth clean.
- The better quality veterinary chews also contain ingredients to help prevent tartar build up. For example -
- The Royal Canin oral bars contain both a calcium chelating ingredient, which prevents calcium being available for tartar formation, and an anti-bacterial agent. Bacteria are the cause of smelly breath.
- Virbac CET dental chews contain enzymes which inhibit the plaque forming bacteria.
- Logic dental chews also contain anti-bacterial enzymes, which prevent plaque build up and halitosis.
- Feeding one good quality chew a day should help keep a dog's teeth clean.
- Ensure that you cut back a little on your dogs regular meals if you are feeding chews, otherwise they may gain weight.
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