Dental Care Tips For Cats And Dogs

Proper oral hygiene is essential to your pet’s overall health and happiness, and all of us want to make sure they live their best lives. There is a staggering percentage of adult cats and dogs who suffer from periodontal disease, which puts them at risk for all kinds of health problems. Thankfully, there are many easy changes you can make to your pet’s lifestyle to promote healthy teeth and gums.

We’ve put together 5 ways to help you care for your pet’s teeth and combat periodontal disease.

Dental Care For Dogs:

1. Brush daily. Start introducing daily toothbrush cleans with a soft finger brush and dog-friendly toothpaste. This will help to fight the build up of plaque and prevent harmful bacteria from attacking their teeth. Start slowly by introducing your dog to a dog-friendly toothpaste such as a beef-flavoured option, you can let them sniff it first and see if they express any interest. If they seem to enjoy it, use a soft finger brush to start gently brushing it across their teeth and gums. Make this an enjoyable experience with a lot of praise and play afterwards.
2. Give them chew toys and treats that promote dental hygiene. There are many dental dog treats and toys that are designed to keep your dog’s teeth and gums clean. Try ribbed chew toys that break down tartar on the teeth or dental-specific treats and chews. These are an enjoyable and easy way of keeping your dog’s teeth clean.
3. Feed your dog appropriately. Giving your dog a crunchy dry food will help to naturally break down tartar in your dog’s mouth, soft food is more likely to stick to your dog’s teeth and build up over time. You can even get dental-specific ones designed to fight of gum and dental disease.
4. Schedule regular check-ups and cleaning. Did you know that your vet can give your dog a professional dental cleaning? Just like us humans, these cleanings get to areas we normally can’t reach. These oral exams also give your vet a chance to look out for any abnormalities and prevent small issues going further.
5. Try out a dental-specific supplement. A dental supplement with vitamins and minerals designed to promote strong and healthy teeth can be sprinkled on your dog’s meals to soften plaque buildup. This is an easy way to introduce mess-free options to your dog’s daily routine.

Dental Care For Cats:

1. Regular Cleaning: You can schedule dental cleaning appointments with your vet, or implement some a regular tooth-cleaning routine at home. Gently brushing your cat’s teeth with a toothpaste and toothbrush that’s suitable for your feline friend will help to prevent tartar build-up and decaying plaque. Or why not pick up a full dental kit with everything you need! Oral gel also is an easier and simple to use solution for keeping your cat’s teeth clean.
2. Try Some Crunchy Treats: Crunchy treats naturally remove plaque and build-up from your cat’s teeth. Try a minty option for naturally fresh breath. Treats with a unique texture will naturally clean away dental deposits, while your cat enjoys a meaty, tasty treat!
3. Tackle Their Everyday Diet: If your cat is prone to oral health issues or you want to prevent them, certain dry cat foods are created to promote optimal dental health. This dry kibble is created with clinical technology to reduce tartar build-up. Oral hygiene supplements can be sprinkled on your cat’s meals for a quick and easy dental boost. If you have a fussy feline who doesn’t like food changes, try a liquid additive in their water bowl instead.