Although they may be small, your pet’s teeth are more important than you might think. It can be easy to forget about your pooches' pearly whites or your cat’s canines, and as February is Pet Dental Health Month, it’s the perfect time to look at the benefits of keeping on top of your pet’s dental care.
If pets could take themselves to the dentist, they probably would. Just like us, they benefit from maintaining good oral hygiene. Let’s take a look at how staying on top of your pet’s dental needs helps to keep them happy and healthy.
Why Should I Brush My Pet’s Teeth?
Cleaning your pet’s teeth is the most effective way to prevent them from developing oral health problems. Brushing their teeth lowers the risk of them developing gum disease, dental disease, and many more dental-related illnesses.
Regular brushing will not only help to keep your pet’s mouth clean and healthy, by taking preventative action you could also save money in the long run. Investing in good quality toothpaste could prevent the need for big vets bills for advanced dental procedures.
It’s important for our pets to receive dental care. Keeping on top of their dental needs and maintaining good oral hygiene should be as much a part of your pet’s life as it is yours.
Not sure how to start brushing your pet’s teeth? We’ve got you covered. Check out our step-by-step video guides below.
Watch Now: How To Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
Watch Now: How To Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
How Often Should I Brush My Pet’s Teeth?
To maintain healthy teeth and gums, we recommend that you brush your pet’s teeth 2-4 times a week. For best results, brush their teeth every day; the cleaner their teeth are, the lower the risk of developing dental diseases.
Regular tooth brushing helps to remove plaque and combat bad breath. If plaque builds up on your pet’s teeth, it can become hardened plaque, which only your vet can remove.
Browse our online shop to view our AniDent range of Vet approved products to help keep your pet’s teeth and mouth in tip-top condition. You’ll be able to find the best quality toothpaste, toothbrushes and more.
How To Maintain Healthy Teeth
Alongside regular brushing, to maintain healthy teeth and gums you should feed your pet a nutritious balanced diet. Here are three diet tips that will keep your pet smiling.
Use a dental diet: Some dry pet foods are specially designed to keep your pet’s teeth clean by scraping away plaque as they eat. Speak to your vet about the best and most reliable dental diets for your pet.
Dental chews and treats: These also work by scraping plaque from your pet’s teeth – most chews and treats contain lots of calories so it’s best to use them sparingly.
Avoid too many sugary snacks: Human treats are meant for humans, not pets! By all means treat your pet, but be careful not to overdo it, even if your pet is giving you the puppy dog eyes.
Dental Needs for Different Types of Animals
This article focuses primarily on dental care for domestic cats and dogs. If you would like to find out more about how to look after the teeth of a horse or rabbit, see the links below to get some handy tips on keeping their teeth in top condition.
Read More: Looking After Your Rabbit’s Teeth
Read More: Looking After Your Horse’s Teeth
Need more info?
If you have any concerns about cleaning your pet’s teeth, contact us for more advice.