Your pets aren’t able to brush their teeth and floss, so as pet owners, it’s your responsibility to oversee your pet’s oral health.
The month of February has been dedicated to promoting the importance of pet dental health. Your pets aren’t able to brush their teeth and floss, so as pet owners, it’s your responsibility to oversee your pet’s oral health by performing at-home dental care helping to prevent dental disease. Here at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital (MCAH), we can offer many helpful tips and products for at-home dental care and prevention measures.
Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth
Just like us, brushing your pet’s teeth is a crucial component in preventing dental disease. When brushing your pet’s teeth, it’s advised that you never use human toothpaste. Human toothpaste can be harmful to your pets because of cleaning agents such as xylitol, so it’s crucial only to use veterinary-recommended toothpaste. Pet toothpaste and toothbrushes exist and come in various sizes and flavors to accommodate your pet’s needs and preferences.
Listed below are some helpful tips on performing at-home dental care on your pet:
- Introduce tooth brushing to your pets at a young age, so they’re comfortable and able to accept it
- Purchase a dog toothbrush for at-home dental care. Dog toothbrushes are longer than human toothbrushes with a curved handle making it easier for you to reach your pet’s back teeth
- Make sure you’re in an area with little to no distractions that your pet is comfortable in
- Be sure to brush your pet’s teeth and gums
- Brush using gentle circular motions
- Try to aim for two minutes of brushing
- Reward your pet for completing the teeth brushing process with lots of praise, their favorite toy, or a special treat.
Enzadent Toothpaste
Enzadent toothpaste is a recommended pet toothpaste that has a delicious poultry flavor, can be swallowed without rinsing, and is specifically made for cats and dogs.
Chlorhexidine Rinse
Chlorhexidine Rinse is an orange-flavored tasty antimicrobial formula used to help control and kill the bacteria in your pet’s mouth that causes dental disease. This can be applied directly to your pet’s mouth.
Enzymatic Chews
Clenz-a-dent Rawhide Chews are edible treats made from beef hide that is cut, cooked, and coated in a tasty ingredient that distributes the enzymatic blend necessary to help maintain the natural antibacterial system in your pet’s saliva. Chewing these treats benefits your dog’s oral health by keeping their teeth clean and breath fresh. These chews are specially formulated to be more digestible than traditional rawhides.
Water Additive
Vetradent Water Additive is used to control tartar by working against bacteria and modifying the environment in the pet’s oral cavity. This home dental product is simple and can be administered through your dog’s drinking water.
Food Additive
Clenz-a-dent ProDen PlaqueOff contains purified Ascophyllum Nodosum, which is a seaweed extract that helps maintain a healthy mouth with clean teeth and fresh breath. It is also helpful for controlling the accumulation of plaque and tartar for dogs. You just have to sprinkle the flakes on your pet’s food once a day.
Oral Gel
MAXI/GUARD Oral Cleansing Gel is a product that’s natural, safe, inexpensive, taste-free, and acceptable for most pets. This gel contains zinc ascorbate/taurine bonds with compounds that cause bad breath and oxidizes fatty acids in the mouth. All you have to do is apply the gel to your pet’s mouth and let it do its job!
Here at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital, We’ll Treat Your Pets Like Family!
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has been serving the Northern Baltimore/Southern York community for over 30 years and is proud to be an independently operated, small animal practice committed to excellence in veterinary medicine and client service. From grooming to wellness services, along with Canine Life Skills Training Courses, and surgical procedures, we have the expertise that will best serve the needs of you and your pet. Contact us at 410-343-0200 and follow us on Facebook!