3 Simple Ways to Prevent Pet Dental Disease
Diseases of the teeth and gums are common in cats and dogs, and usually start around just three or four years of age. Fortunately, dental disease is preventable.
Prevention is key, we all know that, and brushing your pet’s teeth removes plaque and tartar most effectively. But let’s be honest. when was the last time you brushed your pup’s teeth?
“I feel your pain”, says Dr Nicky, “I don’t know a lot of pets who like getting their teeth brushed and not many owners like it either. But, there are other ways to prevent dental disease that don’t involve brushing your pet’s teeth, that we should all do as good pet parents.”
#1 Change to hard food. Simply switching to hard food or food specially made to prevent dental disease can make a big difference. The issue with soft or wet food is that it provides little abrasion against your pet’s teeth so plaque keeps forming. With dry food, your pet is forced to chew more which provides an abrasive action removing accumulated plaque and tartar. It’s not the solution but it will help.
“If your pet has a history of dental disease then we might have to go with a food that’s specially made to control plaque and tartar,” says Dr. Nicky. “Plaque and tartar mineralize much quicker in some dogs as well so check with us and we’ll give you a few options.”
#2 Chew Toys and Dental Treats
There are also many dental treats that are highly recommended to control dental disease in pets. These treats help prevent plaque and tartar from accumulating, due to their unique shape and ingredients. They also massage your pet’s gums and keep your pet chewing longer. But realize that these treats and toys work best when combined with other healthy habits though. Dental treats alone won’t do the trick.
#3 No more leftovers or sweets! Human food causes plaque and tartar to collect on your pet’s teeth, leading to periodontal disease. So break the habit now. Your pet will thank you later.
If you’re noticing bad breath in your pet, bleeding gums, a change in eating habits, or excessive drooling, it could be dental disease and it might be time for a dental cleaning because once dental disease sets in, dental chews, chew toys and hard food won’t do much at that point.
And if you want to brush your pet’s teeth, that’s always a great option, YouTube has some great videos to help guide you. With some patience and perseverance, it is possible for your pet to look forward to getting his teeth brushed.
Prevention is key, we all know that, and brushing your pet’s teeth removes plaque and tartar most effectively. But let’s be honest. when was the last time you brushed your pup’s teeth?
“I feel your pain”, says Dr Nicky, “I don’t know a lot of pets who like getting their teeth brushed and not many owners like it either. But, there are other ways to prevent dental disease that don’t involve brushing your pet’s teeth, that we should all do as good pet parents.”
#1 Change to hard food. Simply switching to hard food or food specially made to prevent dental disease can make a big difference. The issue with soft or wet food is that it provides little abrasion against your pet’s teeth so plaque keeps forming. With dry food, your pet is forced to chew more which provides an abrasive action removing accumulated plaque and tartar. It’s not the solution but it will help.
“If your pet has a history of dental disease then we might have to go with a food that’s specially made to control plaque and tartar,” says Dr. Nicky. “Plaque and tartar mineralize much quicker in some dogs as well so check with us and we’ll give you a few options.”
#2 Chew Toys and Dental Treats
There are also many dental treats that are highly recommended to control dental disease in pets. These treats help prevent plaque and tartar from accumulating, due to their unique shape and ingredients. They also massage your pet’s gums and keep your pet chewing longer. But realize that these treats and toys work best when combined with other healthy habits though. Dental treats alone won’t do the trick.
#3 No more leftovers or sweets! Human food causes plaque and tartar to collect on your pet’s teeth, leading to periodontal disease. So break the habit now. Your pet will thank you later.
If you’re noticing bad breath in your pet, bleeding gums, a change in eating habits, or excessive drooling, it could be dental disease and it might be time for a dental cleaning because once dental disease sets in, dental chews, chew toys and hard food won’t do much at that point.
And if you want to brush your pet’s teeth, that’s always a great option, YouTube has some great videos to help guide you. With some patience and perseverance, it is possible for your pet to look forward to getting his teeth brushed.
Cindy Pervola, Lifetime Dog Owner, Business Writer and Consultant
