Pet Dental Health
February is National Pet Dental Health Month, highlighting the importance of dental health in pets. Just like humans, pets need a good oral hygiene routine to ensure overall health and wellbeing, as well as preventing costly vet's bills later in life. Neglecting oral hygiene in pets can result in plaque and tartar build-up, bad breath and gum disease. Over 80% of pets show signs of Periodontal Disease by age 3, which highlights how important dental care is.
However, dental health is an often overlooked aspect of pet care, with only 2% of dog owners regularly brushing their dog's teeth. We know it's not always realistic to brush your pet's teeth daily, or even weekly, so we have some top tips to kickstart your pet's oral health regime. From traditional brushing with toothpaste to dental treats and food additives, there's plenty of ways to contribute to oral health.
How can I introduce tooth brushing to my pet's routine?
Not all dogs will entertain tooth brushing, especially if they're older dogs. Puppies are easier to introduce brushing to, as you can work on desensitising them to tooth brushing and having things in their mouths. Cats are even harder to get accustomed to brushing, so really take your time!
You should introduce brushing slowly, starting by letting them lick the toothpaste from your finger or toothbrush so they can get accustomed to the taste. Once you're comfortable, you can put a little toothpaste on their canine teeth and gently brush with a finger toothbrush. Then you can start brushing more of their teeth, working from back to front.
It's important to only go at the pace your dog will allow, otherwise it can be distressing for both pet and owner. Using a quality enzymatic toothpaste, such as Logic Oral Gel or Beaphar Toothpaste, helps to break down plaque and tartar more effectively. Even brushing once a week is better than not at all, so taking the time to establish a dental routine is worthwhile to minimise future dental issues.
What if I can't brush my pet's teeth?
If you can't brush your pet's teeth, there are less invasive methods of keeping their teeth clean.
Tooth gels, such as Tropiclean Tooth Gel, are simple to use and less invasive than traditional brushing. All you need to do is apply a couple of drops of gel to the back of each side of your dog's mouth! Your dog will then lick it round, coating their teeth and breaking down any plaque or tartar to help keep their breath fresh. There's even a specially formulated recipe just for puppies, so you can kickstart their oral health routine!
Water additives, such as Tropiclean Fresh Breath Water Additive, help contribute to fresher breath and overall health and wellbeing. One capful in 8oz of water helps to reduce bacterial build-up, as well as providing a defence against plaque and tartar. This water additive is completely tasteless, making it ideal for even the fussiest pets!
Food additives, such as Plaque Off or Beaphar Dental Powder, utilise seaweed to provide comprehensive dental care. As seaweed is naturally abrasive, it helps to significantly reduce bad breath and strip away plaque. Simply add a scoop (or two, depending on the size of your pet) to your pet's meal once a day and see massive benefits in as little as 8 weeks. Seaweed also provides a range of vitamins and minerals, contributing to overall wellness.
Specially formulated Dental diets, such as Canagan Dental for cats & dogs, have been carefully formulated with Plaque Off in the recipes at the optimal amounts needed. This means you can just focus on meal times, rather than measuring and mixing additives into food. It is also more convenient for fussy feeders, as they cannot eat around the Plaque Off! The crunchy texture of the kibble also helps to remove plaque as your pet chews, contributing to oral health.
Daily dental treats can contribute to oral health whilst providing enrichment for your pets. Whimzees vegetable-based dental chews provide superior cleaning action compared to other dental chews, with reduced sugar levels and natural ingredients. They're long-lasting, with unique shapes to help clean all the crevices in your dog's mouth, resulting in fresher breath and cleaner teeth. As these treats are low in sugar and completely natural, they are perfect for daily use.
