How to Brush Your Pet's Teeth...
Regular at-home dental care is an important component of a healthy life. Keeping the teeth and gums in good condition allows your pet to eat without pain and helps prevent infections. It also can mean that the kisses you get from your pet are nice instead of nasty.
Brushing your pet's teeth should not be a chore for you or your pet. Instead it should be an enjoyable time for both of you. If you take things slowly at the beginning and give lots of praise, you and your pet will start looking forward to your brushing sessions. But first, we need to gather together what we'll need.
There are many kinds of pet toothpastes on the market today. It is not recommended to use human toothpaste as it can cause stomach upset if swallowed, and some contain dangerous levels of fluoride for cats. Pet toothpastes may contain several different active ingredients, which help to remove the soft plaque and hard tartar from the teeth. Veterinary dentists have recommended toothpastes that contain chlorhexidine or hexametaphosphate for the best oral care. Toothpastes are available in different flavours as well, including malt, poultry, seafood and mint.
In addition to toothpastes, there are various gels and rinses available. Again, those that contain chlorhexidine or hexametaphosphate are recommended.
While the gels and rinses are not as effective as toothpaste and brushing, they are much better than doing nothing at all. In cases where gingivitis is the primary problem and there isn't much tartar, the chlorhexidine rinse (Nolvadent) is a very good treatment.
You will need some type of toothbrush or applicator for the toothpaste. The choice of what to use depends on the health of your pet's gums, the size of your pet's mouth, and your ability to clean the teeth. Suitable toothbrushes include a small soft-bristled child's toothbrush, a fingertip brush, or a soft cloth. The gels and rinses may be applied using a Q-tip, cotton ball, or may be squirted directly onto the teeth.
How to brush your Pet's Teeth
Number one, this should be fun for you and your pet. Be upbeat and take things slowly. Don't overly restrain your pet - although some cats may be easier to hold if wrapped in a towel. Keep sessions short and positive. Be sure to praise your pet throughout the process and give yourself a pat on the back, too! You're doing a great thing for your pet!
First, have your pet get used to you putting things in her mouth. Dip your finger in beef or chicken bouillon, or tuna juice for cats. Call your pet as if for a "treat" and let her lick the liquid off your finger. Then rub your soaked finger gently over her gums and teeth. After a few sessions, she should actually look forward to this and you can move on. For some pet owners this is one of the more difficult steps, as you have to get used to putting your finger inside your pets mouth!
Next, place a small piece of gauze around your finger. (You can dip it in the tasty treat.) Gently rub the teeth with your gauzed finger. Repeat this for the number of sessions it takes your pet to feel comfortable with this procedure. Remember to praise her and keep an upbeat attitude. Your pet's gums will be sensitive and maybe even a bit ticklish, so this step may take awhile.
After your pet is used to having the flavoured gauze in her mouth, you're ready to start with a toothbrush, or other applicator. We need to get your pet used to the feel of these items, especially the bristles on a brush. So, let her lick something tasty off of the brush so she gets used to the texture. This step is not as important if you are just using the rinses and a cotton ball.
Once you have graduated past that step, we can add the toothpaste (or rinse). Get your pet used to the flavor and consistency of the toothpaste. Let her lick some off your finger and then apply some to your pet's gum line with your finger. Always remember to praise your pet!
Now your pet is used to the toothbrush and toothpaste, you are ready to start brushing! Talk to her in a happy voice during the process and praise her at the end. At first you may just want to brush one or both upper canine teeth (the large ones in the front of the mouth). These are the easiest teeth for you to get at and will give you some easier practice. As before, when your pet accepts having several teeth brushed, slowly increase the number of teeth you're brushing. Again, by making it appear to be a game, you both will have fun doing it.
How often should we brush?
Certainly, the more often you brush the better. The dentists tell us it takes about 48 hours for the soft plaque to start to harden into the tartar, so if you aim for daily dental care for your dog or cat, you will make progress. The hardest thing about home dental care for pets is just getting started. Once you've done it for a while, it becomes part of your daily routine. If you have been brushing on a daily basis and happen to miss one day, that won't be too terrible - just make sure you start again the next day! Good habits are hard to form but can be the easiest to break.
What else can we do at home?
Studies show that hard kibbles may be slightly better at keeping plaque from accumulating on the teeth. Most dogs and cats don't chew their kibbles thoroughly before swallowing, so the majority of dry foods are no worse than canned. The semi-moist diets (think "Tender Vittles" for cats and "Gains Burger" for dogs) are probably the worst for the teeth and gums.
There is a veterinary dentist-approved food on the market made by Hill's, called Science Diet t/d. There is a formula for cats and 2 sizes for dogs.
Research studies have shown that pets eating this food have less plaque and calculus build-up. This food is available through Shaughnessy Veterinary Hospital.
Anti-tartar treats for cats have become popular lately, but watch your cat when you give them to her - most cats seem to swallow them whole, which doesn't help to clean the teeth!
There are larger treat-type chews for dogs and cats which have the dental cleaning enzymes built in. When the animal chews on the treat she is brushing her own teeth. Bear in mind that these are treats only and are not as effective as regular brushing.
Having your pet chew on toys such as NylaBones or Kong ropes can assist the mechanical removal of plaque.
Do not use toys that are abrasive and can wear down the teeth. If your dog is a very aggressive chewer, choose toys that are not so hard that he could possibly break a tooth on them. You may need to look for toys large enough he can't get his mouth around.
Raw bones can be another good option for dogs and some cats. Get friendly with your neighbourhood butcher and see if you can purchase "knuckle bones" of either beef or lamb origin. The ends of the thigh and lower leg bones are made up of a softer spongier type of bone tissue that provide good exercise to the teeth and jaw with a low risk of tooth breakage. Cooked bones, and any bones from pork origin should be avoided as they tend to splinter and can cause serious intestinal problems. Always supervise your pets when they are chewing on bones.
With regular dental care at home your pet can enjoy healthy teeth and gums and you will enjoy getting fresh-breath kisses from your dog or cat.
At Shaughnessy Veterinary Hospital we want to ensure you and your pets can enjoy maximum time together with minimal health problems. February is National Pet Dental Health Month - present this coupon when your dog or cat has a dental cleaning this month and you will receive an additional $5 off our special rates. Just print out the coupon below and bring it with you when you come in!
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