Oral and dental health is just as important in cats and dogs as they are in human beings. Few things in life are more painful than a toothache. The bacteria that reside in an unhealthy mouth can also lead to systemic illness.
Ongoing proactive prevention is key to maintaining oral health.
The list gets less effective as it goes from 1 to 5 but anything you can commit to helps. You can choose one from the list or you can do all 5 (or somewhere in between).
- Brush your pet’s teeth twice daily (or as often as possible) with enzymatic toothpaste
- Use an oral spray
- Use a dental water additive
- Use a diet that is designed to help keep the teeth clean by chewing
- Use a diet that is designed to help keep the teeth clean by enzymes
- Look for treats and toys that help keep the teeth clean (by chewing)
Granted, brushing an animal’s teeth is not easy. It is best to start when they are puppies or kittens and get them used to it. Here are some helpful videos to help with toothbrushing in both dogs and cats. Remember: practice makes perfect. You didn’t learn how to brush your teeth overnight – in fact – most toddlers require some persistence from parents in order to properly brush their teeth too!
Also, some pets will not like the spray or won’t drink the water with the additive in it. It’s possible some pets won’t eat the dental diet or others may not be interested in treats or toys. The key is to find what they do like (or let you do) and stick with it.
Even if you do all of the above, dental disease probably will become an issue in your pet. Despite regular brushing and flossing, my dental hygienist still has to scale and polish my teeth. My dentist will also find things like cavities and I end up needing either a filling or root canal. Pet’s sometimes need this level of care as well. And I will be speaking about that in my next blog post.
If you have any questions about preventative oral healthcare for your pets, please don’t hesitate to call the clinic at 519-472-3770.