Dental care is just as important for our pets as it is for us humans and preventative measures can save pet owners a fortune in avoidable vet bills.
In many cases, choosing the right diet can make a big impact on your pet’s dental health. Getting cats and dogs used to a brusing regime as early in life as possible can help to maintain good oral health and prevent dental problems later in life.
Just like people, when our pets are in pain it can affect their behaviour, making them withdrawn or irratable, so if you notice a change in your pets behaviour then pay extra attention to how they are eating as this may help you notice an emerging dental problem before it becomes too serious.
Signs to look out for are loss of appetite, reluctance to eat hard foods, eating on one side of the mouth, drooling, pawing at the face, bleeding gums, loose teeth, or bad breath. If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet then arrange for them to see a vet as soon as possible.
Rabbits and Guinea Pigs
Did you know that rabbit’s and guinea pig’s teeth never stop growing?
This is why dental care is so important for our bunnies and rodents, and the simplest thing to consider is their diet.
Both rabbits and guinea pigs need at least 80% of their diet to be made up of good quality hay. Not only does this keep their gut active and healthy, but it can also ensure teeth issues are kept at bay, so make sure your rabbits and guinea pigs have plenty of yummy hay to get their teeth stuck into!
Cats
Cats are designed to be lone hunters, and their natural diet – prey items, such as small mammals and birds – contain different textures and tissue that scrape the teeth during feeding.
When we domesticated cats and changed the way they fed, we took away the means to keep teeth clean naturally, so we need to find ways to redress the balance.
Dogs
Plaque on dog’s teeth causes gum inflammation (called gingivitis). If your dog has gingivitis, the edges of the gums may look red or darker pink than the rest of the gums and they may bleed when your dog chews on something or has their teeth brushed.
Gradually, the gums shrink back, away from the plaque, but the plaque keeps creeping up towards the gumline. Plaque produces the hard material we call tartar, or dental calculus. The calculus is laid down on the surface of the teeth as the gum recedes and the plaque sits on top of it.
Eventually, the gums recede so much that the attachments between the tooth and its socket break down and this gum disease leads to loose and diseased teeth and a dog in pain and discomfort.
Tooth brushing
The ideal time to start cleaning your pet’s teeth is when they’re a kitten/puppy. Teaching them at a young age will help to build their tolerance and it’ll become part of their routine. You can introduce older dogs or cats to having their teeth cleaned, just ensure you take things slowly.
Dogs and cats need to be introduced to tooth brushing very gradually, ensuring that they learn to enjoy the experience. This may take longer in cats than in dogs.
Things you will need:
- Pet toothpaste (do not use human toothpaste)
- A pet toothbrush (medium bristles)
- Water
- A quiet area, with little or no distractions
- Patience!
Each training session should last for five minutes and should be repeated on at least five separate days before moving on to the next stage. Every pet is different, so progress at a pace they are comfortable with. Please be careful inserting your fingers into your pet’s mouth. We do not recommend doing this with aggressive pets, or pets that are prone to biting.
Step 1
Introduction to the taste of toothpaste
Wash your hands and smear a small amount of toothpaste onto your index finger. Allow your pet to lick the toothpaste from your finger. Repeat a number of times.
Step 2
Get your pet used to contact with their mouth
Smear your index finger with toothpaste and then gently slide it into your pet’s mouth, letting it glide over the outer surface of the teeth and gums. Only go as far into the mouth as your pet is comfortable. Repeat a number of times.
Step 3
Introduce the toothbrush – canine teeth first!
Prepare the toothbrush with water and toothpaste. Let your dog or cat lick some of the toothpaste off the bristles. Gently hold the mouth around the muzzle to stop them chewing if necessary. Start to gently brush the canine teeth (the ‘fangs’) only, using an up and down motion, with the brush angled towards the gumline. There are two on the top jaw and two on the bottom. At this stage avoid the front teeth (incisors) as this is the most sensitive area in the mouth.
Step 4
The back teeth
As before – start by brushing the canine teeth, then slowly move along to the teeth behind them using a circular motion. Only go as far as your pet is happy with. Brush both sides of the mouth.
Step 5
All teeth
As before, start by brushing the canines and then the back teeth. Hold the mouth closed around the muzzle and gently lift the upper lip with the thumb and forefinger bridging the muzzle to reveal the incisor teeth. Many pets are sensitive in this area so proceed very gently. Gently brush the front teeth using an up and down motion. Gradually build up the amount of time spent brushing. For maximum protection tooth brushing should be performed daily.
NOTE: inflamed gums can bleed a little on brushing. It is not painful itself, so persist with the daily brushing to calm the gums. They should no longer bleed after 2-3 weeks of good brushing. There is no substitute for daily tooth brushing, which is the only way to effectively remove plaque from below the gum line. However, in some cases brushing teeth may not be possible and we may recommend other measures such as plaque-reducing oral rinses, chews or dental diets. Beware of unsafe treats and toys such as sticks, hard toys, bones and antlers, which can all cause serious damage to the teeth and mouth.
Incorporate teeth cleaning into your daily or weekly pet care routine and your pet will have shiny, white, healthy teeth for years to come!
