Dental Care in Dogs and Cats IIIPet Type Dog Issue General Health Teeth Cleaning Biscuits - There are both prescription and more ordinary biscuits available for dental care on the market.
- Dental diets contain;
- Large kibbles, which means they engulf the teeth as they sink into them, and help to scrape them clean.
- Kibbles made from a fibre 'matrix', which means instead of shattering like normal biscuits as the cat or dog bites, they hold their shape, again meaning they scrape the teeth clean.
- Slightly low levels of protein and calcium, both of which are needed for plaque and tartar to form.
- These diets can be helpful for dogs who don't like to chew, and also for cats.
- They do not need to be fed as 100% of the diet, replace a handful of your pets normal food with a handful of teeth cleaning biscuits every day.
- The better quality diets, such as Royal Canin, Hills or Proplan, are often designed with dental care as well as nutrition in mind. Feeding these diets will help to keep the teeth clean, without you having to do anything at all!
| | There are different makes of teeth cleaning biscuits on the market, just feeding a few a day can make a real difference. Also, premium veterinary foods are designed with dental care in mind, so feeding other biscuits with them is not always necessary.
| - Both these products are anti-plaque and will help to keep the teeth clean, but are best used in conjunction with other methods.
- Oral gels
- The oral gels are essentially toothpastes but can be used both with and without brushing.
- The gels will stick to the teeth, prolonging the contact they have with the teeth, so their ingredients have a chance to work.
- They are usually enzymatic, which means they are able to break down the bacteria which cause halitosis and plaque formation.
- They will also usually contain 'Chlorhexidine', which is similar to the pink liquid your dentist will use. It is an anti-plaque agent.
- The gels can be applied to your pets mouth either by hand, or some come with long applicator nozzels, which you can slip into your pets mouth and apply the gel directly to the teeth.
- Mouth Washes
- Mouth washes can either be added to your pets drinking water, or applied directly into their mouths.
- They also will contain 'Chlorhexidine' which will break down the plaque.
- They will also often contain ingredients to help keep your pets breath smelling fresh.
- Some types come in bottles will long applicator nozzles, which make it easier for you to apply them directly into your pet's mouth.
Plaque-off - teeth cleaning powder - This is a relatively new addition to the market, but has been proving very popular.
- The powder is a seaweed derivative, so it is a totally natural product.
- It has been used in human dentistry for several years, in tablet form.
- The powder makes the plaque and tartar build up on the teeth much softer, which means that dental chews and biscuits are more successful at removing it.
- The powder is sprinkled on the food every day. It can be given to animals on 100% dry diets, but it is particularly useful for those who eat some soft food.
- The amount needed every day is tiny, which means that your pet won't notice it is there, and also means it is very economical.
- A pot tends to retail at about £10, and will last a cat a year, and the average dog around 6 months.
- Plaque-off is designed to be used in conjunction with other teeth cleaning methods such as brushing or chews, just on its own it won't be as successful.
| | Plaque-off is a powder made from seaweed. It is sprinkled on the food and makes the tartar and plaque on the teeth soft, meaning chews or brushing are more successful
| |
