Home Dental Care

Dr Andrews

 

Feb 12 |07:44

There are several ways you can care for your pet’s teeth every day.

A complete home dental care program for your pet often will include brushing as well as a special pet food that helps care for your pet’s teeth while he or she eats.

Even if you aren’t able to brush your pet’s teeth every day, by incorporating a special pet food into your pet’s daily routine, you can provide the dental care needed to keep your pet healthy. Be sure to talk with your veterinarian about the options that exist and which are right for your pet.

Brushing Your Pet´s Teeth

STEP 1: Introduce a brushing program to pets gradually. Avoid over-restraining your pet and keep brushing sessions short and positive. A cat or small dog can be held in your lap. Praise and reassure your pet throughout the process.

STEP 2: At first, dip a finger into beef bouillon for dogs or tuna water for cats. Rub the soaked finger gently over the pet’s mouth and teeth. Make the initial sessions short and positive.

STEP 3: Gradually, introduce gauze over the finger and gently scrub the teeth in a circular motion.

STEP 4: Finally, you can introduce a soft toothbrush designed for pets. Use a sensitive or ultra-soft brush designed for people or a brush designed for pets. Special pet toothbrushes are available from your veterinarian or specialty pet store. Don’t use toothpaste designed for people because it could upset the animal’s stomach.

Avoid feeding pets table scraps because they can increase the build up of plaque and tartar, and can lead to other health problems.

Feed your pet a nutritionally balanced food. Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Canine t/d® and Feline t/d® are specially formulated pet foods with dental benefits for dogs and cats. This food is available through veterinarians and is clinically proven to reduce the accumulation of plaque, tartar, and gingivitis.

Please visit petdental.com for this article and for more  information on caring for your pet’s teeth.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 12th, 2010 at 7:44 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.