Navigation

Dental Homecare for Dogs and Cats

by expert on August 1, 2013 category Dental Problems
Double ended toothbrush suitable for medium and large breed dogs

Double ended toothbrush suitable for medium and large breed dogs

Periodontal or gum disease is the commonest disease in dogs and cats. About 80% of dogs over three years old in the UK suffer from periodontal disease. It is a bacterial disease affecting the gums and bone around teeth and is caused by plaque.

 

Dental homecare for dogs and cats is important. It's often easier to start toothbrushing when your pet is young

Dental homecare for dogs and cats is important. It’s often easier to start toothbrushing when your pet is young

The most effective way of managing gum disease is by preventing it through daily tooth brushing using a pet toothpaste and toothbrush. This involves mechanical removal of plaque from the teeth and gums.Tooth brushing can be performed for dogs and cats, though cats tend to be more difficult.

It’s never too late to start brushing your pet’s teeth but it’s often easier and accepted better if you start when they are puppies and kittens. Start slowly and gradually increase the extent of the tooth brushing over a period of time – the rate at which you can progress will vary greatly from pet to pet. Keep to a regular repeatable routine and build in rewards for good behaviour.

Tips to help with pet dental care at home

  • Place small dogs and cats on a work surface so that they are at an easy working height.
  • Face your pet towards you.
  • Initially rub your pet’s face and muzzle so that they are used to being touched in this area. Reward your pet with fuss or play or a small treat. Repeat this daily for at least five days.
  • With your pet facing you (you may need an assistant to help keep him/her still) hold your pet’s muzzle with your thumb on top of the nose and fingers under the jaw. You can raise the upper lip slightly using your thumb.
    • The approach required to brush canine, premolar and molar teeth

    The approach required to brush canine, premolar and molar teeth

  • Apply a small amount of pet toothpaste to a fingertip or finger brush on your other hand and rub this onto the tooth surfaces.
  • By keeping the mouth closed your pet won’t lick the toothpaste from your finger, it will be more comfortable and as the lips are relaxed it is much easier to reach the back teeth.
  • Start from the canine teeth and work backwards. The small incisor teeth at the front are often the most difficult to brush and so only brush these when your pet has become used to the other teeth being brushed.
  • Once your pet is happy with having its teeth brushed with a finger or finger brush, progress onto a toothbrush. This should be the appropriate size for your pet. A special cat or dog tooth brush or a medium bristled human tooth brush can be used. The toothbrush should be used in a circular motion with the bristles of the brush angled towards the gum line.

When you start brushing you may notice a small amount of blood on the tooth brush. This is usually associated with inflammation of the gums and should settle down within a few days of tooth brushing. If it doesn’t, it is important to consult your vet.
Only use pet toothpaste as the fluoride in human toothpaste is toxic in dogs and cats.

Whilst brushing is by far the best method of keeping your pet’s teeth clean, there are some other techniques that can be used in addition that help to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy.

Gels and Oral Rinses

There are various different products available. The most effective contain Chlorhexidine, which is effective in killing oral bacteria. These products are particularly useful in cases where there is severe oral inflammation or where it is impossible to brush your pet’s teeth.

Specialist Diets

Many pet food manufacturers produce special diets to help reduce plaque accumulation. It is worth discussing diet with your vet and following their recommendations in this area. There is plenty of evidence to show that using an appropriate diet will help reduce plaque accumulation but diet should be used in conjunction with tooth brushing.

Dental chews

Dental chews may help to reduce plaque accumulation. They should be used in conjunction with tooth brushing and an appropriate diet. It is important that they are fed at the frequency recommended by the manufacturer.