At Home Pet Dental Care
- Anabella Schuman
- Jun 6, 2024
- 2 min read
1.Brush Teeth!
Brushing removes the daily accumulation of plaque on the tooth’s surface. Your goal should be to brush your dog’s teeth every day, but studies have shown that at least 3 times a week can be effective in making a difference. You can do it in the morning or at night (I typically try to brush my dog’s teeth at night since i am in more of a hurry in the mornings, but do it whenever fits best with your schedule so you are more likely to be consistent.) Slowly introduce your dog to teeth brushing with lots of positive reinforcement, and you can try flavored tooth paste to further entice your dog (although their breath may smell like chicken afterwards!)
Tips for brushing your dog's teeth linked below:
2. Teeth-friendly treats and toys!
Some treat options include Greenies or OraVet. Ensure you buy the bag appropriate for your dog’s size to make sure they are spending enough time chewing the treat to effectively clean the teeth and massage the gums. For a full list of dental products, visit VOHC’s website. A photo of the “good vs bad” toy list is included in this post, but it is most important that a toy is not too hard to avoid the risk of fracturing a tooth. You should be able to indent the toy with your finger to make sure it is safe for the teeth!
VOHC Accepted products for dogs and cats linked below:
3. Dental Wipes!
These wipes can be useful for small dogs or dogs that are resistant to teeth brushing. These are wet wipes safe for pets that help clean teeth while being gentle on the gums. You wrap the wipe around your pointer finger, slide it in between their check and their teeth, and gently rub it along the outer surface of the teeth.
4. Water additives!
You can add these to your pet’s drinking water to help control plaque and tartar. It typically does not affect the taste of the water. For any of the products mentioned, choose a pet-specific product to ensure its safety.
Signs of dental disease in pets may include difficulty eating/ chewing, bad breath, excess salivation, bleeding gums, loose teeth, pawing at the face, or a decreased appetite. However, many dogs show no outward signs of dental disease even when it may be painful to them. Catching dental disease early can help keep our pets as comfortable as possible and prevent progression of the dental disease into more significant health problems later in life. Making sure you are bringing your pet to the vet for regular check ups is one of the best ways to catch dental disease early!
If you’re looking for additional resources, I recommend checking out VOHC, VIN veterinary partners, Hill’s, and Tufts (specific articles linked below)
VIN Practical Dental Care Tips for Dogs:
Tufts Pet Dental Health Fact vs Fiction: (I learned dentistry from Kate Zukowski CVT who wrote this post, and she is amazing!)
Hill's Keeping Your Pet's Teeth Clean and Healthy:
VIN Periodontal Disease in Dogs and Cats:
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