| |
Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth
 Keeping your pet's teeth healthy is important as they use their mouths for many things: eating, playing, fetching, grooming! Nobody likes the smell of “dog breath” which is caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth in the form of tartar. Establishing a dental plan for your pet is best started when they are a puppy or kitten but even older dogs and cats can be taught these “new tricks.”
How to brush your pet's teeth: - Brushing should ideally be performed once a day.
- Place the toothbrush in your cat or dog's mouth at the gum margin (where the teeth and gums meet) starting at the back of the mouth.
- Brush the outer surfaces of the teeth in an oval pattern or swirling motion, moving from back to front for about 30 to 60 seconds on each side.
- Finish by brushing the incisors (front teeth).
- Focus on the outer, upper surfaces of the teeth; brushing the inside surfaces of the teeth is not necessary as the tongue does a good job of cleaning this part of the teeth.
- Use toothpaste approved for dogs and cats (we recommend CET toothpaste.) Never use human toothpaste as it contains too much fluoride that can be toxic to pets when swallowed.
- You can use a toothbrush approved for dogs and cats, a children's or infant's toothbrush with soft bristles, or a finger brush.
- If your pet does not like the toothbrush initially, start by placing just toothpaste in the mouth or using gauze pads or a washcloth to gently wipe the teeth.
What to do when your pet won't allow you to brush the teeth: - We recommend using an oral gel (like Maxiguard gel) once a day.
- You can use dental treats (like CET chews.)
- You can use a dental diet to supplement with your pet's regular diet.
We recommend Hill's t/d.
There is no substitute for daily brushing. Periodic professional dental cleanings may still be necessary, so we recommend a once yearly examination to evaluate your pet's oral health.
-Anchor Animal Hospital
|
Helpful Information
