Maintaining your pet's dental health is key to a longer, healthier and happier life for them.

Dental care is just as important for our furry family members as it is for us. However, keeping your pet’s smile healthy and bright isn’t quite as simple as taking care of your own pearly whites.

Our four-legged friends don’t have the ability to clean their own teeth, and, as you’ve probably noticed, they don’t love you poking around in there either. Because pets can be prone to painful or even life-threatening dental disease, it’s important to consider setting up cat or dog teeth cleaning appointments with your vet.

How do pet dental cleanings work?

To clean a dog or cat’s teeth, they’re usually put under general anesthesia at the vet’s office or animal hospital. This is necessary both to keep the vet’s hands safe as they work inside your pet’s mouth, and to keep your best pal comfortable as the vet scrapes at and cleans the teeth both above and below the gum line.

While this may seem like a big procedure, it’s important to remove plaque and germs to avoid gingivitis, infected teeth, and other dental conditions that can become serious. Luckily, most cat and dog teeth cleanings are recommended only once per year. In between, you can take a proactive role in keeping their mouth healthy.

Home tooth brushing

You can most certainly brush your dog or cat’s teeth without employing general anesthesia to get the job done. There are several different sizes and styles of pet toothbrushes available on the market, and you can choose the one that makes the most sense for your family, based on the size and temperament of your favorite fluffball. From large toothbrushes with 360-degree heads and long handles, to brushing thimbles that fit on your finger, there’s something for every size and breed.

And don’t forget toothpaste! Far from the traditional mint flavor varieties that we humans, enjoy, dog and cat toothpaste comes in flavors such as cheddar, peanut butter and vanilla. Find a flavor your pet really loves, so that brushing time feels like a treat.

Most cat and dog teeth cleanings are recommended only once per year.

Treats that do the trick

Finally, you can trick your pet into cleaning their own teeth. How? With treats. There are many different types of treats that work to clean teeth and freshen breath.

Some treats, like our Porky Puffs, help to scrape food and plaque off of teeth as your dog chews on them. Plus, they’re safer and tastier than rawhide. Similarly, our Premium Cow Ears are gentle on tummies, while being tough on plaque.

Another dog favorite that gets the job done is our Water Buffalo Bully Sticks. Sold in a pack, these meaty, healthy sticks provide a satisfying chewing experience while maintaining your dog’s dental health by helping to reduce tartar.

Finally, sometimes you just need a treat specifically created with dental health in mind, like our Gourmet Dental Treats. With treats like these, your dog gets to eat something delicious (ours are honey and peanut butter flavored), and you get to rest easy knowing they’re providing your precious pooch with nutrients like calcium and phosphorus that are essential to bone and tooth health.

Our pets keep us smiling. The least we can do is take care of their smiles, so that they can stay happy and healthy for years to come.

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If you’re a fan of dog kisses, then you might be taken aback when you get a hint of foul breath. Bad breath can be a sign of numerous problems including periodontal disease, which is the result of inflammation of the gums and bones in your dog’s mouth. More than 85% of pets have dental issues, so it’s an overwhelmingly common concern.

In order to prevent disease and other dental issues, it’s important to take care of your pet’s teeth. Waiting too long for a dental cleaning can result in more damage such as problems in the heart, liver and kidney. One of the ways you can support oral health is through nutrition. First, your pup’s daily diet should be full of nutrients and vitamins that maintain their overall dental health. Here are a few you should be looking for in the ingredients:

Antioxidants: Look for an antioxidant system that includes vitamins A, C and E. These vitamins offer anti-inflammatory actions. Folic acid can also help support the gum tissue warding off the likelihood of periodontal disease.

Calcium and phosphorus: Calcium is a vital nutrient for dental health as it promotes healthy bones and teeth. It works together with phosphorus which helps maintain the strength of the bones. It’s important that the nutritional balance of these two minerals meet a dog’s needs throughout their life stages - whether they’re rapidly growing puppies, or entering their senior years.

Probiotics: Probiotics are great for your pet’s gut health. But have you considered that the oral cavity is part of the digestive tract? By supporting your pet’s gut health, this can help in supporting their dental health as well.

While the kibble they eat is important, you cannot forget about their snacks. Look for treats that allow them to chew such as Water Buffalo Bully Sticks. This chewing action helps reduce tartar and maintain their dental health. You can also choose a Gourmet Dental Treat that contains ingredients like calcium and phosphorus for strong teeth and bones. Plus, the added parsley helps with doggie breath!

In addition to taking care of their teeth through nutrition, you can also monitor their dental health at home. Just like us, pets need daily teeth brushing too. This can sound like a daunting task but it can save your furry friend’s oral health and your bank account in the long run. If your pet allows it, frequently check their mouth by flipping their lip and taking a look at their teeth and gums. Ask your veterinarian for a tutorial on what signs to watch for, like bumps or swelling on the gums, as well as tartar or chipped teeth. Pay attention to how their breath smells too. This could indicate unfriendly bacteria in their mouth.

The bottom line is to remember the importance of oral health to overall health. Plan on regular,  proper cleanings by your vet. Even if you’re brushing their teeth daily, they will still eventually need a deep cleaning which usually includes x-rays. Between these regular checkups both at home and at the vet, and robust daily nutrition, your pup will enjoy a happier, healthier life while you enjoy those sloppy kisses.

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