LIFESTYLE NEWS - Any pet owner should know that the health of their pet is in their hands.
Yes, some animals have a natural ability to take care of themselves independently of their owners but dogs and cats require a little more attention.
Dental hygiene in pets is often ignored but if your pet has bad breath or they struggle to eat or chew, their teeth might be compromised.
Here are some tips and tricks geared towards making yours and your pet’s life a little healthier.
1. Brush your cat or dog’s teeth regularly with toothpaste
Use your finger (at your own risk) or a very soft brush and a tasty toothpaste to gently rub your pet’s back teeth and gums. If your dog won’t have that, there are also enzymatic toothpastes that work well. Give it to them to lick and the enzymes with the saliva will do the rest. Cats might be harder to brush so it is suggested that you buy a rubbery chewy toothbrush that contains catnip and that the cats will enjoy playing with. There are special kinds of toothpaste for cats and dogs.
2. Dental chews could do the job
Cats and dogs love to chew on things and lucky for them there are lots of vet-approved dental chews available at pet stores. It’s important to buy dental chews that have a taste and texture that the animals will love. These also have additional benefits like controlling plaque and calculus, reducing tartar, keeping the breath fresh, as well as keeping the teeth clean and strong.
3. Chewy toys can keep your pet’s teeth in check
Chewy toys are a great way to massage your pet’s gums and teeth and also to remove excess food residue from their mouth. There are a number of choices at pet stores and you can gauge which toys your pets like the most. Sometimes one with the right grooves and edges could be really enjoyable for your pet.
How to know if your pet’s dental health is in jeopardy?
- If there is yellow plaque covering your dog or cat’s teeth, it’s time to look into it
If you notice blood on your pet’s chew toys not only once or twice after they play with them, there might be a problem. - If you offer your pet something delicious and they have a hard time eating it, they might be in pain.
- If your pet’s breath is consistently bad, then they might have developed a dental disease.
- If your pet shows any of the signs above, take action and see a vet to find solutions for your pet’s dental problems.
