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Check out a selection of products to help enhance at-home dental care for your dog or cat.
Regular dental care is as vital to a dog or cat’s health and well-being as it is to us. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs and cats show early signs of periodontal disease as early as three years of age, and the problem only worsens unless preventive measures are put in place. Along with regular veterinary checkups and a healthy lifestyle that includes a wholesome natural diet, your dog or cat can benefit from the following dental care products designed especially for animals.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOTHBRUSH
Getting your dog or cat accustomed to having his teeth brushed isn’t always easy, but it can be done if you start slow, choose the right toothbrush, and know how it will work best for your four-legged friend. Products like the BrushMate from PawReady are long and thin, with a brush head at each end. One brush is small and the other slightly larger to allow for the size of your dog or cat, and for hard-to-reach areas like molars.
Petosan®, meanwhile, has a unique double-headed pet toothbrush — the bristles meet at a 45° angle, hugging the teeth for effective cleaning at and below the gumline. The company also offers a 4-Step System for easier toothbrushing.
PUT BITE PREVENTION IN PLACE
Any time you handle your dog or cat’s mouth, accidental bites become a concern. Whether you poke a tender spot, are brushing the backside of his teeth, or trying to pry his mouth open with one hand and brush with the other, you’re risking a bite, no matter how well-behaved your animal usually is.
BiteBlock from PawReady promotes safer brushing. Made of rubber, it has a ring that fits over your middle finger with an extension that goes into the animal’s mouth. This prevents him from clamping his teeth together, which not only makes it impossible to brush but also puts you at risk for a chomped finger. This tool gives you one-handed control while the other hand manages the toothbrush
TRY A TOOTHBRUSH ALTERNATIVE
For dogs or cats that struggle to accept having their teeth brushed, there are alternatives. Jax & Cali Toothbrush Wipes fit over two fingers and are designed to fight bacteria, plaque, and inflammation. Each wipe contains natural enzymes to slow and reduce bacterial growth, plaque, and inflammation, as well as promote whiter teeth and fresh breath.
CONSIDER A DENTAL POWDER OR SUPPLEMENT
Some dogs and cats continue to fight the idea of oral hygiene no matter how tasty the toothpaste, how soft the toothbrush, or how tolerable the wipe. Or perhaps you just don’t have time to brush your companion’s teeth daily. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on the idea of dental health. Teef for Life is a vegan, prebiotic, plant-derived dental powder that you add to your pet’s drinking water.
Other alternatives include products like VF Bio-Dent from Standard Process, which contains calcium, phosphorus, and manganese to support the bony structures and connective tissue in the body, including the mouth.
Or, you can choose a dental supplement such as Holistic Soft Bites from Swedencare. The functional bites are formulated with a unique kelp clinically studied to help reduce plaque and prevent tartar.
TEACH YOUR DOG OR CAT TO HAVE HER TEETH BRUSHED
The training process should be started when she’s still a puppy or kitten, but it can also be done with adult animals if you’re patient.
Start by getting her used to having you touch her face, lift her lip, or do a visual check of her teeth. Make sure she’s relaxed before you begin, and keep sessions short.
Once she’s comfortable with having her mouth touched, opened, etc., introduce a bare toothbrush that’s just wet enough for the bristles to be soft to the touch. Curiosity will encourage your cat or dog to sniff, lick, and examine it.
After she’s used to seeing and touching the toothbrush, it’s time to introduce flavored toothpaste. Always use products formulated specifically for dogs and cats — human toothpastes contain ingredients that can be harmful to animals when swallowed. Animal toothpastes often contain animal-friendly flavors like peanut butter, poultry, and seafood to make them more palatable; trial and error will help you find the flavor your own companion likes best.
Let your dog or cat lick some of the toothpaste off your finger first, then start adding a bit to the toothbrush.
Don’t try to brush all her teeth at once, at least until she’s used to the idea. Just a few teeth a day is a good start.
DIETARY TIPS
Diet plays a huge role in your dog or cat’s overall wellness, including his dental health. Here are a few tips to help ensure what you’re feeding him is supporting the health of his teeth and gums:
Feed your dog or cat the healthiest diet you can afford, whether it’s a premium raw, canned, or dry food made from whole food ingredients.
If your animal eats a paté type diet, add some bits of raw meat or chunks from a can of high-quality canned food to his meals — this will force him to chew rather than swallow the food whole.
Avoid low-end kibbles that are high in carbs and increase inflammation in the body, including the mouth.
Treats should also be of the highest quality and made from wholesome ingredients with no artificial additives.
With all the options available for supporting dental wellness, it’s easier than ever to maintain your dog or cat’s oral health, and help prevent the painful problems that arise from periodontal disease.
Sandra Murphy lives in St Louis, Missouri. When she’s not writing, she works as a pet sitter.
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