Oral care is important for all pets, including dogs, cats, and rabbits. In this article, we will go over some of the ways you can give your pet oral care at home in an easy way that they will enjoy.
Dogs should have their teeth brushed every day, just like humans
Dogs can have bad breath, dental problems and even develop oral cancer. The best way to prevent these things from happening is by brushing your dog’s teeth daily. Many people overlook this important task, but you should brush your dog’s teeth every day just like you would yours!
To brush a dog’s teeth properly, check with the vet to ensure it is safe for your pet. Next, get some toothpaste specifically made for dogs and some sort of toothbrush (the kind made especially for pets works best). Then put a small amount of toothpaste on the tip of the brush and rub it all over each tooth carefully until it gets very foamy (you may need to use more than one application). If there are any spots where tartar has built up too much, just let those areas soak for about 15 minutes before brushing them until everything looks clean!
Brushing teeth can be fun if you make it fun
The first step to giving your pet a healthy mouth is to brush their teeth regularly. The second step is making it fun! If you use a toothbrush with soft bristles and toothpaste designed for pets, your pet can enjoy this simple procedure as much as you do. If you choose not to brush their teeth, they may develop tartar buildup or gingivitis (gum disease).
- Make brushing time a game: Try giving your dog treats every time he wags his tail after successfully passing the toothbrushing test. This will make him more excited about future cleanings and help him associate the process with positive experiences instead of negative ones.
- Use gentle strokes: Always use gentle strokes when brushing your dog’s teeth; firm pressure could hurt his gums or cause bleeding. Use small circular motions when working on each tooth individually, being careful not to miss any spots between them where plaque could build up unnoticed until later, causing dental problems down the road!
It’s important to brush the outer surfaces of your dog’s teeth.
Brushing the outer surfaces of your dog’s teeth is essential, which can be done by hand or with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You should also brush your dog’s inner surfaces and tongue.
- The roof of the mouth should be brushed in order to remove any build-up of bacteria or food particles, as this area is difficult to reach with a toothbrush alone.
- The cheeks should also be brushed on both sides because bacteria can also accumulate there.
- Finally, it’s necessary to brush your pet’s gums regularly in order to help prevent gum disease from occurring later in life when their bones become weaker due to old age (this happens more frequently in dogs than cats).
Your cat still needs daily tooth brushing
Brushing your cat’s teeth is still an important part of oral care. Like humans, cats can get gum disease, cavities and periodontal disease. Oral cancer is also a risk for cats that don’t receive proper dental care.
Flossing is an important part of oral care
Flossing can be done with a special flossing tool or a piece of string. It should be done once a week, but twice a month if you have soft food or drink for your pet to help clean their teeth better.
Give your pet a dental checkup once a week
You should check your pet’s teeth regularly to ensure no cavities or other issues. You can do this at home by brushing your pet’s teeth with a toothbrush or giving them treats containing ingredients like baking soda, which helps clean the teeth as it passes through their digestive system.
If you don’t have time for such a thorough cleaning, taking your pet to the vet once every six months gives them a chance to check for any dental issues and brush their teeth if needed.
Use pet-friendly toothpaste
You can buy toothpaste specifically for pets, but if you don’t want to spend the money, it’s fine to use human toothpaste. Just don’t use any type of human toothpaste on your pet, and vice versa!
If you’re worried about what’s in the grocery store brands of pet-friendly toothpaste, consider making your own. PetMD has a recipe for homemade dog and cat toothpaste that contains baking soda and hydrogen peroxide (which creates those fizzing bubbles), plus essential oils like peppermint or aniseed that help freshen breath and protect against plaque buildup. You could also try adding some natural colourants such as turmeric or beetroot powder for added antioxidant benefits—and have fun experimenting with different combinations to find out which ones work best!
Reward your pet with a treat after brushing
You can reward your pet with a treat after brushing. Rewarding your pet is a great way to make the experience fun and enjoyable. The reward can be anything from a treat to a game of fetch.
In order to get the best results out of brushing, you should start by using gentle pressure on your dog’s teeth and gums, then work up to more vigorous movements once his mouth has become accustomed to it.
Try out these tips at home and see how easy it can be to keep up with oral care for your pets!
- Make sure you have the right tools for the job. A soft-bristled toothbrush, water-based lube like Aquadent or DentaVet (for cats) and even a little bit of catnip are good places to start.
- Practice handling your cat’s mouth using rewards and praise. Use treats as motivation after each session, which will help build trust in your relationship with them over time until they’re comfortable letting you do this every day without hesitation.
Buy the right tools
To prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other oral issues; your pet needs to have its teeth brushed.
Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly is an essential part of dental care that can help keep their mouth healthy and happy. Brushing is also an important way to establish a good relationship with your pet – it helps them feel safe and secure in knowing they’ve got you on their side when it comes to anything concerning their health and well-being.
Do proper inspection
- Check for signs of dental disease. Look for plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth, which can cause gingivitis. If you notice any gum tissue that is swollen, red or irritated, this could be a sign of periodontal disease.
- Check for signs of oral cancer. Dogs with oral cancer typically experience sores inside their mouths that bleed easily upon touch and don’t heal properly, as well as a lump near the roof of their mouths that may be visible when they yawn or open their mouths widely. Cats will typically have enlarged lymph nodes in their necks before being diagnosed with oral cancer; however, cats often hide signs like these (or they may even hide away from other members of your household), so it’s important to keep an eye out!
Find a distraction
- Use a treat. The most obvious way to distract your pet is by offering it a treat. Give your furry friend something irresistible and tasty, like peanut butter (if your pet has no allergies) or pieces of cheese.
- Use a toy. If treats don’t work for you, you can try giving them their favourite toy instead—but be sure it’s small enough so they won’t accidentally swallow it! You could also try playing with them outside after dinner so they’re not quite hungry when bedtime rolls around later in the evening; this may help keep them calmer when brushing time comes around.
- Use a favourite spot or person: Some pets become very territorial during this time of day, making it difficult to brush without coaxing first! You can try putting them on leashes before brushing begins and walking around somewhere outside together so they become accustomed to being near each other again (this might also help with potty training). This may help relax both of you before starting this process since having someone else nearby will help take away some stress off both sides without having too much interaction just yet—and then once everyone gets used enough again where neither side feels threatened by one other anymore then maybe we’ll start brushing again.”
Practice handling your cat’s mouth using rewards and praise
Your cat is more likely to take a treat from you than let you put a toothbrush in her mouth. So, use treats as the reward. You can also use a clicker to mark the behaviour you want your pet to repeat, such as opening her mouth or putting it into a cup with water or a toothpaste solution.
When brushing and flossing your cat’s teeth, be gentle and slow and do not move too quickly.
Use lots of praise when you are finished
- When you are finished with the cleaning, praise your pet! It’s important to give positive reinforcement for good behaviour and actions.
- You can also reward your pet with treats or play time if they have been especially cooperative throughout the process.
- Use praise to encourage your pet to cooperate with any future oral care procedures as well, such as brushing their teeth or trimming their nails.
- Praise is a great tool for reinforcing good behaviour in general and should be used whenever possible when working with animals–whether it’s praising them for lying calmly on the vet table or teaching them tricks at home!
Gather your supplies
- A toothbrush: You can use a human toothbrush and paste. Get one that’s pet-friendly and safe so as not to hurt your dog’s or cat’s mouth.
- Toothpaste: Get a dog or cat toothpaste that has been approved by a vet. If you don’t want to purchase it from the vet, several pet-friendly paste brands are available on Amazon and other online retailers.
- Pet dental treats: There are many types of dental chews for dogs, and cats, like Greenies Dental, Chews for Dogs, and PupJoy Healthy Dental Treats for Dogs & Cats (these are both made by Nature’s Variety). These treats have added vitamins in them that help keep your pets’ teeth healthy. You can also try making homemade treats yourself!
Start slowly, and reward often
When you’re ready to start your pet’s dental care regimen, begin by rewarding them for good behaviour in small increments. A treat is a great way to start out and will help ensure that your pet gets used to having their teeth brushed.
You should also keep in mind that not all treats are created equal: some may be too hard or too big for your pet’s mouth, so make sure that you purchase something appropriate for the size of their mouth and ensure that it doesn’t contain sugar (especially if your dog has diabetes).
Additionally, never force your pet’s mouth open while they’re resisting—allowing a cat or dog to explore an object on their own time can help them feel more comfortable with new objects like toothbrushes.
Get your pets used to oral care early on
It’s important to start giving your pet oral care as early on as possible, so they can get used to the process. This will make the experience seem less daunting for them later on when they’re older and have more teeth that need attention. You can begin by using treats and praise when you brush their teeth. If you’re worried about hurting them or making them uncomfortable, tell your vet first how much pressure you’re applying with the brush before beginning this process.
Suppose your pet is older and has already developed some bad habits or dental issues like plaque buildup or tartar. In that case, we recommend brushing with a soft bristle toothbrush specially designed for pets at least once per day for two minutes each time (or longer if needed). Be sure not to use human toothpaste, though! It’s best suited for humans because it contains fluoride, which isn’t safe for animals–and, depending on its ingredients, could cause other health problems too!
Everyone wants to keep their pets happy and healthy, but it can be hard to know what they need. The best way to learn is by doing your own research and testing out various methods. You might have some good ideas about how to give oral care at home, but don’t be afraid to try something new! Remember that every animal has a unique personality, so your approach should reflect this. With time and patience, you can ensure that the person who means the most in your life gets all the care they deserve.
Don’t wait any longer to give your furry friend the care they deserve. Visit parliamentanimalhospital.ca to learn more about our services and make an appointment today. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call us at (647) 347-3300. Your pet’s health is our top priority at Parliament Animal Hospital.