Tips and tricks: how to get your pet excited for teeth cleaningBy Stacey Gonzalez
Photo by John Morton Foter.com CC BY-SA
Brushing your cat or dogs teeth daily is the number one thing you can do to prevent future tooth and gum disease. But how to start? Here are some tips and tricks on how to make brushing your pet’s teeth a good experience for all those involved.
START YOUNG- An older dog can get used to having its teeth brushed but the fact is it is far easier to train a puppy to like this process than an adult dog. You can start at around nine weeks old with a finger brush to get the pup used to having its teeth cleaned.
TOUCH YOUR PETS MOUTH- It is important to get the pet used to having its mouth touched prior to the first brushing. Put something tasty on your finger- like wet food or a pet friendly paste- and call your pet over for a ‘treat.’ Let the animal lick it off of your finger. Rub your finger along the pet’s teeth and gums, massaging the gum-line and making it a fun experience.
CHOSE THE BEST TIME- Brush your pets’ teeth at the same time every day to establish a routine. It is best to brush your pets’ teeth after it has had exercise and is tired. This sometimes catches the pet off-guard or it is too lazy to fight you.
INTRODUCE THE BRUSH- Allow the pet to become familiar with the tooth brush or other teeth cleaning device. The new texture may throw the pet off so put something tasty on the bristles and allow the animal to lick it off.
TREATS, PRAISE AND REWARD- One of the most important things to do when brushing your pets teeth is to give the pet frequent praise and rewards. If the pet is struggling with the process stop and give the dog praise and a treat for trying. After a few seconds start brushing the teeth again. Make sure that brushing teeth is a positive experience for your pet and that it knows that if it complies with you it will get a reward.
CHOSE THE RIGHT TOOTH BRUSH- Finger brushes are great starter brushes for puppies and kittens. They may also be a better option for some cats, small breed dogs and other pets with smaller mouths or teeth. The tooth brush should be in proportion to the animal’s mouth. Other alternatives do exists such as teeth pads. It is important to use a pet specific toothbrush.
CHOSE THE RIGHT TOOTH PASTE- NEVER use human toothpaste on your pet. Most human tooth pastes contain fluoride which is extremely toxic to dogs and can upset a cat’s stomach. Chose a tooth paste that is flavored for the pet- it will make be more appetizing. Let your pet try the tooth paste and allow it to associate the taste with a treat. Tropiclean Fresh Breath has an amazing line of dental tools for dogs and cats. I prefer their tooth brushes and tooth pastes for pets.
Photo by hey.kiddo Foter.com CC BY-NC
BRUSH FREQUENTLY- Brushing often is the best way to prevent expensive vet bills in the future- oral health infections and diseases can lead to a number of other life threatening issues. Brushing daily will also help your dog or cat become used to the process. It is important to maintain the routine to get the best results and a positive reaction from your pet.MAINTAIN HEALTH BETWEEN BRUSHES- There is a number of treats and toys designed to help keep your pets teeth clean. Rope toys can be paired with dental sprays to floss teeth and freshen breath. Dental chews and durable nylon toys can chip away at tartar and plaque. Dry food is a great everyday trick to scraping away the plaque on your pet’s teeth as well. Tropiclean Fresh Breath offers a water additive for fresh breath and a gel topical teeth-cleaner that works very well and can be used with little effort.
REGULAR DENTAL CHECK-UPS- Taking your cat or dog to the veterinarian for dental check-ups should be done every six to twelve months. The vet will perform a professional teeth cleaning and can advise you on any other measures you can take to improve your pets’ oral health. Catching dental issues well in advance can significantly change the quality of life for your pet- and even save its life.
