Introducing your pet to toothpaste

Once you feel confident that your pet is not bothered by a quick oral exam, start introducing him to toothpaste.  You should always use a toothpaste specially formulated for cats and dogs. Human toothpastes are not intended to be swallowed and therefore can be dangerous to our pets.  Another distinct advantage of using veterinary toothpaste is the variety of animal-friendly flavors available (poultry, beef, and seafood, to name a few).  Initially you may want to apply a small amount of toothpaste to your finger and let your pet smell and lick it, giving them a chance to grow accustomed to the flavor and scent. 
 
Next, try using your finger to apply a small amount to the outside surface of the teeth.  When starting out, don't worry too much about actually brushing the teeth, just make sure your pet is cooperative.  Once the routine is reliably tolerated, move on to using your fingers as a brush or, better yet, begin using an actual tooth brush.  Fortunately, animals' tongues do a good job of keeping the inside surface of the teeth clean, so you only need to worry about brushing the outside.  Brushing your pet's teeth daily can make a huge difference in the amount of corrective work they may need later on in life. 
 
If you have a pet that simply will not tolerate teeth brushing (a common issue with older animals) there are a variety of products that, while not as effective as brushing, can still help keep your pet's mouth healthy.  The most common and widely used of these products are dental treats (available for both dogs and cats) that act as an abrasive while chewing. Because they are treats they should not be given in excess, but they can definitely go a long way in keeping your pet's mouth healthy.  If you have an animal that likes both, these treats can be used in addition to brushing.  Some food companies have also developed prescription dental diets that you can feed your pet.  Other options  you can discuss with your veterinarian include mouth rinses and oral health products that can be added to the animal's drinking water.
 
Our understanding and appreciation of the importance of dental hygiene in the overall health and well-being of animals continues to grow. Moreover, as pet-care improves and allows animals to live longer, we have more time to see severe dental problems develop.  While the task of brushing your pet's teeth may seem daunting, if approached patiently and in a realistic manner, there is a lot you can do at home to help keep your puppy or kitten's mouth healthy. Regular care can also prevent worsening dental issues already present in older animals.  Just like anything else, a dental health program is going to be most effective if it's tailored to your pet's needs, so see what degree of intervention is realistic and never hesitate to ask your vet for tips or suggestions.  Adding oral care to the list of pet owner responsibilities is no small matter, but your pet will be very glad you did. 

Dr. Danielle Irving is an associate veterinarian at the Richmond SPCA.To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.

Comments

[Health Technology Professional Products, Inc.]

February to Pet / Vet Dental Health Month - way to spread the word. Thank you