We’ve all had a lekker whiff of bad pet breath somewhere somehow.
But truth be told, dragon breath is usually a sign of dental disease and an issue we’ll most definitely have to stick our noses into.
Luckily it’s generally easy to prevent and manage – meaning winning this war is absolutely doable.
WHY IS PET DENTAL CARE IMPORTANT?
As with humans, tooth problems in pets can cause serious pain. However, more often than not, our pets don’t show any outward signs, since they just suck it up and stick it out.
But underneath the silent dental anguish, what starts off as just a little tartar build-up and gingivitis can very well lead to horrendous infections.
These infections can actually damage their heart, liver, and kidneys, and/or lead to vets performing a full mouth extraction! Furry Guacamole!
Bottomline – signs or no signs – if their pearly whites aren’t properly cared for, it could lead to grievous consequences, and ain’t nobody got time for that.
HOW TO BUST BAD PET BREATH LIKE A LEGEND
→ ANNUAL DENTAL CHECKUPS
Take your pet for an annual dental checkup, sommer when they go for their vaccinations.
Smaller breeds / older dogs may need more regular checks though, as they do have a higher risk of dental disease.
General anesthesia is necessary when doing dental scaling on pets to keep those busy bodies still of course. Your vet can remove anything from calculus, tartar, take out dead tissue, and/or even infected teeth – all depending on your pet’s dental situation.
In the case of senior pets, most vets will do blood tests before anesthesia, just to make sure there aren’t any underlying health issues that could make it risky for them.
So know that you, your pet, and their enamels are forever and always in very safe hands when heading over to your beloved animal doctor.
→ BRUSH THOSE TEETH
A regular brush honestly goes such a long way and is fabulous to help prevent oral nightmares.
A daily brush is the best, but thankfully this isn’t Las Vegas and brushing isn’t an all-or-nothing situation – every bit helps, and every brush counts.
You’re only required to brush the outside of their teeth, since their tongues are anatomically responsible for brushing the insides. So boom – half the work has already been done.
You’ll need a pet toothbrush or wipe and pet toothpaste too. Water additives are steller to tackle tiny mouths, easy to use, and toats worthwhile.
But, if you have a big canine and a gigantic dental cave to cover, then the Petdent toothbrush flaunts that glorious long handle to reach all those cuspids effectively.
If your tiny tot isn’t used to a toothbrush – you can start by rubbing their gums with a facecloth / Dental Wipes. Once they’re used to the sensation, you can introduce a toothbrush. The sooner the better – because – even though puppies lose their baby teeth, the training will do wonders later down the road. Truth.
In regards to toothpaste – I personally love using the Petdent Toothpaste, because baby-bear adores the taste and gobbles it up.
AND if you have a rebel on your hands that REALLY hates dental time – do remember to reward them with a dental chew treat and/or some serious TLC after brushing.
NOTE
NEVER ever use human toothpaste as it contains fluoride that can be harmful to our four-legged loved ones.
→ ORAL GEL, RINSE, WATER ADDITIVES AND SUPPLEMENTS
Provide your pets with additional protection/cleaning and use an Oral Rinse and Oral Gel (in that order) after brushing.
If brushing pet teeth is not a talent you’re comfortable taking to the Olympics – try a squirt of oral rinse in their mouths each day after breakfast/supper with a weekly gel treatment of course. It helps slow down the onset of dental disease and is most certainly better than doing nothing. OROVET RINSE is all the rage and also definitely worth a try.
AND another honorable alternative is the magnificent PETDENT DENTA BIO. This dental supplement helps improve oral malodour, gingivitis, and dental plaque, supports overall oral health, and is also a comprehensive nutritional supplement for the treatment of periodontal disease. SJOE! So many words, but so many benefits too – incredible!
→ DENTAL TOYS
Hard and rubbery chew toys are the way to go for dogs. Buy size-appropriate toys like the Mini Dental Chew Pack for smaller dogs and the Orka Triple Links for larger dogs.
You cannot go wrong with Rope Toys either, let’s call it the floss effect, why don’t we.
And then there’s the long-lasting and colorful Chew Toy range for cats.
Check out mesh / netted cat toys that are infused with catnip / Mint – they help clean teeth during afternoon play sessions, are rather irresistible, and great to sink those kitty fangs into too.
→ DENTAL TREATS
Treat your pet after din-din with a refreshing DOG or CAT dental treat for dessert.
Just remember NOT ALL dental chews are low-calorie treats. Thus over-feeding as a quick fix is probably just THE worst idea. Hmm kay?
NOTE
Stay away from bones, cow/pig hooves and rawhide! Raw or cooked, it can cause obstruction in your pet’s gut and break their teeth too. JUST NO.
→ GOOD QUALITY, PREMIUM AND CRUNCHY PET FOOD
Exfoliate pet teeth and prevent tartar from forming on those precious pet ivories with some specially shaped and premium kibbles.
Great choices include Royal Canin Oral Sensitive for cats, as well as the entire Eukanuba range for dogs.
Definitely chat to your vet about special dental diets if your pet continues to have dental issues.
CONCLUSION
Life is busy, I know. But when we adopt our four-legged children, our priorities simply MUST change – especially if they’re sleeping in our beds! Cough cough.
Dental health is non-negotiable. Consider an annual dental check and try to brush their teeth at least once a week. Provide them with dental toys for play, dental appropriate food for dinner and a dental chew for dessert.
These tips and products will help ensure for radiant smiles, fresh breath and healthy bodies. Good luck and do try to enjoy!
We’d LOVE to hear how you keep those tooth trolls at bay. Leave your comment in the section below ↓ ↓ ↓