The Do’s and Don’ts of Pet Dental Care

Poodle with blue toothbrush in its mouth Hampton Park Veterinary Charleston SCDo you know the best ways to tackle pet dental care? Do you want to learn more to give your pet the best life possible?

Dental health is a huge concern for humans but it often goes ignored when it comes to pets. We focus more on baths, nutritional food, and exercise.

The problem is that dental care is something that dictates your pet’s overall health for their entire life. That’s why we’ve put together a simple list of all the best pet dental care tips. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to raise a healthy pet!

Do: Brush Your Pet’s Teeth

One of the best tips for pet dental care that any owner can follow is to brush your pet’s teeth regularly. The biggest benefits come from brushing your pet’s teeth every day, but every other day is a good schedule as well.

This practice has many of the same results as when humans brush their teeth every day. It cleans away any stuck food particles and eliminates germs and bacteria. Brushing helps the teeth remain shiny and strong.

Start getting your pet comfortable with the activity as soon as possible. It may feel awkward at first but keep at it. It won’t take long before you and your furry friend find a way to work together toward the greater good!

Don’t: Use Human Dental Tools

Never use a human toothbrush when it’s time to take care of your pet’s teeth. The brushes made for humans aren’t constructed in the same way as the ones made for animals. The same is true for toothpaste and other dental tools.

When you do your shopping, only buy high-quality dental products that were made for animals. If you have trouble finding what you need, your local pet shop or veterinarian will know how to help you.

It’s often better to wait until you have the proper gear instead of finding substitutions. That toothbrush might look like it’ll get the job done, but you may end up doing damage to your pet’s teeth. At the very least, it won’t do as good a job as a real animal-specific toothbrush.

Do: Give Your Pet Dental Chews

One of the greatest tools to aid in your pet’s oral hygiene efforts is dental chews. These types of treats are a great way to give your pet a quick clean without any extra effort. They’re tasty enough that even the pickiest eaters won’t have trouble taking them.

The thing to remember is that you can’t substitute dental chews for proper brushing.

While chews are a good tool to better your pet’s dental health, they’re still a type of food. Particles end up stuck between the teeth and gums. This leads to tooth decay if you’re not careful to brush your pet’s teeth often enough.

Using dental chews as a supplement to regular brushing is the recommended way to keep your pet’s teeth healthy and strong.

Don’t: Give Your Pet Bone Treats

It’s no secret that a dog with a bone is an adorable sight. The problem is that you need to be careful what kind of bones you’re giving your pet. It’s a common misconception that bones provide animals with dental benefits.

Although cats and dogs have stronger jaws, their teeth aren’t much stronger than our own. This means that their teeth are also prone to break when chomping down on something rock hard. With continued chewing, the damage may even be irreparable and the tooth will need to be removed.

This is why you don’t want to give your pet a treat or toy that’s too hard for them to chew on.

If you wouldn’t want to chew on that treat yourself, then it’s best to find something else for your pet. This prevents any accidents from happening.

There are many options available to give your pet a fun and tasty toy without the risk of harming their precious teeth!

Do: Have Regular Vet Visits

Good pet oral hygiene requires regular vet visits. It’s the only way to catch problems early and keep up with your pet’s health. A vet lets you know if you need to adjust something or add something to your pet’s routine.

In addition to this, you need to schedule regular teeth cleaning.

Even if you brush your pet’s teeth every night, it’s still not as thorough of a job as a vet can achieve. They’ll have the tools and the knowledge to clean every nook and cranny.

If you keep up with brushing every night, you won’t need to have your pet visit the vet as often for dental care. When you’re unsure, make sure to ask your local vet for advice on how often to get a cleaning.

Plus, if you’re having trouble figuring out how to brush your dog’s teeth, a vet can guide you through the process until it feels natural.

Don’t: Ignore Signs of Dental Problems

Have you noticed that your pet has continuous bad breath no matter what you do? Is your pet no longer interested in their favorite chew toy?

These are both signs that there may be a dental problem happening.

Whenever you see a difference in your pet’s behavior, it’s time to see the vet. Even if nothing is wrong, it’s better to be proactive when it comes to something as important as dental health. Your pet will thank you for the extra effort!

Pet Dental Care Is Key to Your Furry Friend’s Happiness

Living a happy life is impossible without proper pet dental care. It’s such an integral part of an animal’s existence in the same way as it is for humans. Taking the time to keep your pet’s teeth strong and healthy keeps them happy all their life.

By following our simple guide, your pet will never suffer the consequences of poor dental hygiene!

Are you looking to give your pet the best vet care around? We’d love to help. Check out our services to find out how we can help you and your pet every step of the way!

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