Pet parents do the most to take better care of their pets. But, while ensuring their pet is healthy and happy, at times, the importance of their pet’s dental health gets overlooked. But dental health is no joke, as poor dental health can lead to life-threatening problems such as heart, kidney, and liver diseases. As a result of poor dental hygiene, more than 50% of dogs and cats around the age of three suffer from periodontal disease, which causes inflammation and infection of the gums and the bone that supports the teeth. 

These dental diseases can develop silently and gradually, but once they get caught they can only be stopped. But do you know what’s better than stopping the growth of dental disease in your pet? Preventing it by practicing good dental care with your pet in four simple steps as soon as they get their adult teeth, which is forty-two permanent teeth in dogs and thirty permanent in cats. 

Some might say that maintaining your pet’s oral hygiene is a luxury, but that’s untrue as it is a vital piece of your pet’s healthcare routine, which is the key to a happier, healthier, and longer life for your fur baby.

Brush their teeth

We know how you wake up every morning and brush your teeth before starting your day to take better care of your dental health. It is the same for your pet. The most straightforward way to protect your pet’s dental health is by brushing their teeth. Unlike us, they cannot brush their teeth on their own, so they need your help, which we hope you’re very willing to do. 

For this, you first need to make your pet comfortable with your touch around and in their mouth. The next step is to get a toothbrush(or fingerbrush if that’s your thing!) and toothpaste made exclusively for them. Don’t use human toothbrushes for them, as they are hard on their teeth and gums, and human toothpaste contains chemicals harmful to your pet.

Aim to brush your pet’s teeth at least for 30 seconds on each side of their mouth at least twice a week(if possible, daily!) to ensure they don’t get any dental problems. Give their gums a gentle massage to promote better blood flow. After cleaning their teeth, give them a treat so they get motivated the next time to get their teeth cleaned. Look for unusual signs of any inflammation or bleeding of gums, bad breath, or rotting teeth while doing so, and if you see any of these, take them to their vet immediately. Make the brushing schedule and follow it so they get ready to get their teeth brushed and don’t feel unnecessarily stressed. 

Take them to the vet

It is important to take your pet to the veterinarian exclusively for an overall dental health checkup at least once a year. If your pet has a history of dental problems, take them every six months. These visits are necessary for your pet’s teeth to get a deeper cleaning, extraction, adjustments, fillings, and repairs and to catch any unnoticed dental problems. 

During the process, your vet will put your pet under safe general anesthesia to perform the dental procedures with less stress and pain for your pet(it even avoids the risk of any injuries). Your vet will get your pet’s dental x-ray to gain a deeper look at their jaw and tooth roots to detect and prevent any issues. 

Give them dental chews and toys.

Your pet’s natural instinct is to chew on things to get to know them better, which can be destructive for your shoes and furniture. So, to protect your belongings and promote better dental hygiene, give your pet a chew like a chicken stick, calcium bone for dogs, or Dogsee chew, and chewy toys to gnaw on. They will help remove the tartar and plaque buildup on your pet’s teeth and keep your pet from getting bored when you are busy or away.

Dental diet

Include high-quality kibbles like Whiskas cat dry food and Royal Canin in your pet’s food, as they are designed to reduce plaque buildup in their cute little teeth while taking care of their hunger. This dental diet helps to improve your pet’s oral health as it makes your pet chew more on their food, which helps to generate more saliva, which in turn helps to remove residues within their mouth. 

Commit to following these four steps for your pet’s better overall health and well-being, which is one of the keys to a happier, healthier, and longer life. 

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