Even humans like us need to brush our teeth and clean our mouths every day. So how can we neglect taking care of the oral health of our dogs and cats? Because taking care of the oral health of dogs and cats is very important. If the owners who raise them do not pay attention to all the health problems that may occur, pets may have oral problems without us knowing. Before we know it, those diseases cause pain for our dogs and cats and may also have a negative effect on their overall health.
“Mouth and teeth” It is the first organ that makes our pets healthy and strong. However, it is an organ that many owners do not give importance to until their dogs and cats show symptoms such as sore gums, swollen mouth, loose teeth, tooth decay, or severe pain before taking them to the vet. It becomes a serious problem that requires more time to treat, even though oral diseases can be easily treated and prevented if pet owners are knowledgeable and take the time to take care of them. So if you want to know how to take care of your oral health to create good hygiene for your dogs and cats, let's take a look at the methods we have recommended.
1. Take your dog or cat to a veterinarian for an oral health check-up every 6 months or 1 year.
This is a very important first step. The veterinarian will perform a preliminary examination of the entire mouth. In some cases where the dog or cat is aggressive, it may be necessary to sedate or put under anesthesia for a detailed examination. The veterinarian will inform you of the problems found and recommend further treatment. You should also take your dog or cat to have their teeth scaled regularly every 6 months to 1 year, depending on how well the owner can take care of their dog or cat's oral health at home.
2. Brushing your teeth is the best basic way to take care of your gums and teeth.
4 popular questions that dog or cat owners often wonder about brushing their teeth are:
Q: How often should I brush my dog's and cat's teeth?
A : Dogs and cats' teeth should be brushed daily, just like people's teeth. However, due to many limitations, such as pets not cooperating or owners not having much time, brushing their teeth 2-3 times a week is considered good oral health care.
Q: Can human toothpaste be used on dogs and cats?
A: Human toothpaste should not be used on dogs and cats because, in addition to animals not liking the taste and smell of human toothpaste, human toothpaste is also designed to be rinsed off after brushing, not swallowed. If used on dogs and cats and swallowed, it can cause toxicity from ingesting the fluoride that is an ingredient in human toothpaste. Therefore, you should use toothpaste that is specifically made for dogs and cats, which contains various enzymes that help break down food stains and microbial plaque on the surface of the teeth. It also has a meat flavor that pets like. It will definitely please dogs and cats.
Q: How should I choose a toothbrush?
A : The toothbrush used should be of an appropriate size for the animal's mouth and have bristles that are neither too hard nor too soft, which is the best tool for brushing teeth. However, some animals do not like toothbrushes, so other tools may be used instead, such as finger brushes or cloth brushes.
Q: When should I start brushing my dog's and cat's teeth?
A: Before starting to brush their teeth, our pets should get used to the toothpaste and toothbrush since they are young. You can start by letting them smell and taste the toothpaste first. Then try applying the toothpaste on your finger and inserting it to rub the teeth on the side of the cheek. When the animal is used to it, you can gradually switch to using a toothbrush or other toothbrushing tools. You should also train them to brush their teeth regularly until it becomes a habit.
3. Provide food that helps reduce and control tartar formation.
Food is another important factor for the dental health of dogs and cats. General dry food cannot reduce bacterial plaque as well as wet food. Because food that helps take care of dental health should have a size and texture that the animal can chew and contact the tooth surface well to help reduce the accumulation of bacterial plaque on the tooth surface.
4. Provide toys that help with tooth brushing.
Owners can provide their pets with toys that are appropriate for their size, as studies have shown that these can help reduce tartar buildup and gingivitis in dogs and cats. However, animals with periodontal disease should not be given toys. Read more about periodontal disease
5. Use a tartar remover mixed with drinking water or a gel that is applied to the teeth.
To help reduce plaque and gingivitis in animals.
Taking care of the oral and dental health of dogs and cats, if done regularly, will make them accustomed to it and start to be happy with us taking care of their mouths. It also creates good hygiene for our beloved pets. In addition to the physical benefits for dogs and cats, if we can make them have fun, it will also make their minds happy.
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References
Vet Street. (2015). Essential Tips to Care for Your Pet's Teeth.
http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/essential-tips-to-care-for-your-pets-teeth
Animed. (2021). Top dental care tips for cats and dogs
https://www.animeddirect.co.uk/advice/top-dental-care-tips-cats-dogs/
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanikun Srithanarat. Dental care at home in dogs and cats. Retrieved October 4, 2021 from https://www.readvpn.com/Topic/Info/4bf37279-08e3-4cbc-a802-0306396d035c
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