Home Dental Care for Dogs and Cats
Home Dental Care for Dogs and Cats
A complete home dental care program for your pet will include both regular brushing and a proper, nutritional diet.
Brushing Your Pet's Teeth
1. Introduce a brushing program to your pet gradually. Avoid over-restraining your pet and keep brushing sessions short and positive. A cat or small dog can be held in your lap. Praise and reassure your pet though out the process.
2. During the first week, allow your pet to lick a toothbrush covered with a tasty substance, like beef bouillon or pet toothpaste, while you hold it. End the session with a special treat and lots of TLC so that your pet associates a good time with the toothbrush.
3. During the second week, begin to lift the lip and gently brush the canines. Stop if there is any resistance from your pet. Again, follow each session with a special treat and TLC. Make the initial sessions short and positive, ending each session before or at the first sign of rebellion.
4. During the third week, continue to lengthen the "brushing" time and gradually increase the actual tooth brushing. Continue to give a treat at the end with lots of TLC. Over time, establish a regular, enjoyable tooth brushing routine.
5. Special pet toothbrushes and pet toothpaste are available from your veterinarian. Do not use toothpaste designed for people because it could upset your pet¡¦s stomach.
Dog Dental Facts
„h Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that erupt at about three to four weeks of age. They have 42 permanent teeth that begin to emerge at about four months of age.
„h Puppies should lose a puppy tooth before the corresponding adult tooth emerges. If a puppy tooth is still in place when an adult tooth begins to show, see your veterinarian so the dog's occlusion is not affected.
„h Studies show that by age three, 80 percent of dogs exhibit signs of gum disease. Symptoms include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gumline, red inflamed gums, and persistent bad breath.
„h Small dog breeds and dogs that have beards are more likely to develop periodontal disease than large dogs because the teeth of small dogs are often too large for their mouths, according to veterinary dentistry experts.
„h The canine teeth of working dogs are essential to allowing the dogs to carry prey and other objects. If these teeth become broken, a canine dentist can perform endodontic procedures, such as root canals and metal crown preparation. Veterinarians with special training have treatments available to preserve teeth that previously would have been extracted.
„h A broken tooth is a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. Aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as cow hooves, is a primary cause, according to veterinary dental experts.
Cat Dental Facts
„h Kittens have 26 temporary teeth that begin to erupt at about two to three weeks of age. They have 30 permanent teeth that emerge at about three to four months.
„h Studies show that 70 percent of cats show signs of gum disease by age three. Symptoms include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gumline, red inflamed gums, and persistent bad breath.
„h Feline dental resorption, commonly called cervical line lesion, is the most common dental disease of domestic cats. The disease was virtually unrecognized until the mid-1970's. Recent studies show about 28 percent of domestic cats show at least one lesion. The lesions often begin below the gumline, so they can develop undetected. Often, the first sign to the pet owner is a severely inflamed gum around a tooth. Cat owners should seek veterinary care if their cat exhibits pain or inflammation around the gums.