A lot of effort has been expended in recent years persuading human beings to take better care of their teeth – we know about brushing, rinsing with mouthwash, avoiding foods with high densities of sugar. But what about our pets?
Pets have dental needs too – and they need us to help them meet those needs.
When it comes to dogs and cats in particular, dental care is important. But fortunately, it need not be an incredibly time-consuming process. And the animals themselves do not have to undergo intense agony to have healthy teeth.
You can prevent extensive tartar buildup in dogs (as well as cats) by placing a limit on how much wet good they get. Wet food can actually cause excessive tartar buildup in a relatively short amount of time. Try limiting it to special occasions – no more than once a week. While wet food is appealing to animals, its best use might simply be to hide medication the pet might not otherwise want to take.
Table scraps are not healthy for animals. What works for the human being’s body – especially its bones and teeth – does not apply to dogs and cats and other pets. You will find that emptying your plate into the dog’s bowl will have an adverse effect on their oral health pretty quickly. Avoid the urge to treat them! It might help you to remember that only do human food scraps hurt a pet’s teeth, but can cause other health complications such as obesity and stomach cramps.
A nice way to battle tartar in pets – especially dogs – is to feed them treats. Most reputable manufacturers of pet food have created lines of dog treats that cater to oral health. We are talking about snacks that literally help scour and clean teeth while the dog is happily indulging his appetite.
You should also consider brushing your pet’s teeth. This can be done professionally at the veterinarian’s office, but that is often traumatic – not to mention costly. Unless your pet’s teeth are severely deteriorated, you might consider doing a little brushing on your own.
You can buy flavored tooth paste that will appeal to your pet. You can also simply add some baking soda to a little water and then use a wash cloth to work their teeth over. This will remove a lot of tartar. You can also buy special gloves and brushes to make this job easier.
The bottom line is that you need to be sure you don’t neglect oral hygiene for your cat or dog. Dental health is essential to wellness! Both of you need to have strong healthy teeth – it will put a smile on both your faces!
Want to learn more about pet dental care? Check out Jasper Bailey’s pet website.
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