How to Keep Those Pearly Whites
CLEAN AND HEALTHY
We all know that caring for our teeth is incredibly important for human health, but did you know that caring for our pet’s teeth is just as important?
The team at Dan & Sam have compiled our top tips for caring for your pet’s teeth.
How To Spot Dental Problems
- Foul breath, which is often a sign of gum disease
- Tartar development on their teeth. Tartar is a yellowish-brown build-up on teeth
- Decrease in appetite or eating without chewing their food. Dental problems can make eating painful
- Rubbing their mouth on their front paws
- Excessive drooling
- Bleeding gums
Technical Tips:
What’s mechanical or physical cleaning? It’s the manual cleaning of teeth instead of chemical cleaning, which uses products like water additives that chemically remove plaque and tartar from teeth.
1. Play Time is Clean Time!
Look for toys with the added functional benefit of helping clean your pet’s teeth. Dog rope toys act like dental floss when your dog chews on them! Look for similar cat rope toys with catnip, encouraging cats to chew.
2. Treat Time
Hard dog treats mechanically clean their teeth whilst they chew. Just remember, don’t overfeed your pet treats!
3. Raw Bones – Nature’s First Toothbrush
Providing your dog or cat with raw bones is a great way for them to clean their teeth mechanically. Raw chicken necks are great for dogs; the small neck bones gently clean dogs’ teeth and are easily digestible for most dogs. Cats love raw chicken wing tips!
Before introducing raw bones into your pet’s diet, it’s essential to consult your vet. This cautionary step, along with the supervision during bone consumption, is a crucial part of responsible pet ownership. Remember, cooked bones can be dangerous, so always ensure the bones are raw!
4. Did Someone Say Woofbrush?
If your pet has a build-up of plaque and tartar, it might be time to invest in a toothbrush or fingerbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs and cats.
5. Dinner Time
Did you know there is specially designed dry food for dogs and cats called kibble that helps clean pets’ teeth? Go into your pet specialty store and check out their range.
6. Water Additives
If you need extra assistance removing plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth, a water additive that safely chemically breaks down the build-up might be a good option. Purchase these water additives from vets and pet specialty stores.
7. Seek Professional Help
If you find it challenging to manage your pet’s dental hygiene, remember that your vet is always there to help. Their professional dental care services can provide the necessary support and reassurance for your pet’s oral health.
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