Most pet owners think that caring for their pets only includes nutritious meals, treats, gifts, and frequent walks and exercises. But, they forget about the pet’s oral health.
A pet’s mouth is a crucial pointer to its general health.
Oral hygiene for pets is just as important as it is for humans. There are basic oral health techniques you can do as a pet owner, but others require the attention of experts.
According to a study, dogs and cats require a vet dental cleaning annually for two years. However, the pet needs immediate treatment or cleaning if you observe the following issues;
- Strange chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Broken or loose teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Pain in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth
- Teeth that are stained or covered in tartar
Failing to keep up with your pet’s dental health can lead to severe diseases like Periodontitis or Greyhounds. Besides, oral health prevents and eliminates bad breath while maintaining a clean mouth.
Keep reading the tips below to help you stay on top of your pet’s oral health to keep them happy and healthy.
Tips to Maintain a Good Oral Health
1. Consider Regular Cleanings and Treatment
A regular oral health check-up for your pet is the first step in maintaining its overall health.
From 3 years, most dogs are at risk of periodontal disease that needs immediate treatment. Even worse, the lack of treating these dental problems can cause life-threatening infections and health problems like heart, liver, and kidney disease.
If your pet is found with any dental issues, then provide them with the best veterinary dental products like antibacterial tooth sealants, which can help aid and fight periodontal disease in pets. The protective enamel sealants contain a technology that significantly reduces the effects of plaque and bacteria- the leading source of periodontal diseases in animals.
Thus, with the expert intervention, your pet’s teeth don’t need to reach such a bad state.
You should also know that cleaning your pet’s teeth is not painful. Using the dental products appropriately, and as recommended by the experts will ensure your pet is free from any pain and discomfort associated with the infections.
2. Brush Everyday
Home dental care for your pet is crucial for oral health. Brushing your pet’s teeth every day helps in plaque prevention.
Dental plaque is the sticky layer that forms on teeth after the mouth bacteria mixes with sugary or starchy foods. Usually, regular tooth brushing, flossing, or dog plaque spray helps eliminate plaque. Otherwise, it hardens to form tartar. Plaque in pets leads to periodontal disease that occurs within 36 hours. So brushing is essential for the pet.
How do you brush your pet’s teeth?
Ensure you have a soft-bristled pet toothbrush. It would be best if you got either a finger brush or a double-headed toothbrush. Also, the toothpaste should be pet-appropriate. This is because using human toothpaste can be toxic if your pet swallows it.
Put a pea-sized amount of the pet toothpaste and give your dog or cat to sniff and lick it. This helps in knowing if your pet likes it or not. If the pet enjoys the smell and taste, use it but if the reaction is terrible, brush the teeth without it and look for a better option. Besides, you don’t want to use something they don’t like.
Hold the brush with the bristles on the tooth surface, pointing toward your pet’s gums. Gently and slowly, brush the teeth and gum in a circular motion. Don’t forget to brush the tongue thoroughly and the entire mouth.
Usually, fresh breath oral care for your pet requires starting early and staying consistent. If you start when the pet is young, it gets used to it, and brushing becomes more effortless and fun.
3. Feed Your Dog Appropriately
What type of food is appropriate for your pet? According to pet health care experts, dry food is better for dental hygiene for dogs or cats. Dry foods help in scraping away tartar as the pets chew, unlike soft food that sticks and forms plaque build-up quickly.
It would be best to discuss with your veterinary dentist an appropriate pet’s diet. Aside from the usual pet food, there’s also a special dental diet for the best oral health. Dogs, for example, have dental kibbles that clean their teeth as the dog eats to prevent dog plaque.
Moreover, there are dental water additives for cats and dogs. The fresh breath cat water additive works the same as the dental kibbles for dogs; it cleans as the cat drinks water. Better still, these oral health solutions are tasteless.
The instructions for water additives require adding a specified amount to your pet’s daily water intake. The cat essential healthy mouth anti-plaque water additive helps to freshen the breath and kills plaque-building bacteria.
4. Give Chew Toys and Treats
Even with a wide range of chew toys and treats for your pet, ensure you buy dental chews that promote oral pet health. Some toys and treats can harm your pet’s teeth and gum.
When shopping for toys and treats, ensure you look at chew ingredients. Some components might be toxic or allergic to your pet. The best dental hygiene chews should be non-abrasive and approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). Ensure the seal is intact and marked adequately before paying for it.
Conclusion
Maintaining good oral health for your pet requires a high level of commitment. A minute of daily tooth brushing, an appropriate diet, and the proper treats and chews will ensure your pet’s teeth remain pearly white and the rest of the body healthy.
Most importantly, when your pet is unwell, ensure you consult the experts for guidance on the right treatments. Then, the experts will ensure they meet their end of the bargain by giving the appropriate products to make your pet active and healthy.
FAQs
1. What Fruit is Good for Dog Teeth?
Strawberries contain vitamin C, fiber, and an enzyme that helps whiten your dog’s teeth. Remember that strawberries also have sugar, so moderate the amount to give your dog.
2. How Can I Clean My Dog’s Teeth Without Brushing Them?
You can clean your dog’s teeth using other ways like water additives, dental chews and toys, and dental diets.
3. Is Coconut Oil Suitable for Cleaning Cat Teeth?
Coconut oil is a common ingredient in cats’ toothpaste. Still, using raw coconut oil helps keep the cats’ teeth clean.
Conclusion
Maintaining good oral health for your pet requires a high level of commitment. A minute of daily tooth brushing, an appropriate diet, and the proper treats and chews will ensure your pet’s teeth remain pearly white and the rest of the body healthy.
Most importantly, when your pet is unwell, ensure you consult the experts for guidance on the right treatments. Then, the experts will ensure they meet their end of the bargain by giving the appropriate products to make your pet active and healthy.