Home Dental Care

We recommend brushing your pet’s teeth daily if possible, or at least 4 times a week. Here are some steps to help your pet tolerate teeth brushing.

Step One:

Start by massaging the animal’s cheeks, make this a pleasant experience by giving your pet a lot of praise. Do not make this a long procedure, a few seconds will do for starters. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend massaging the animal’s cheeks. A crunchy treat is a great reward when finishing each session.

Step Two:

After you and your pet feel comfortable with this exercise the next step is to carefully place your fingers between the pet’s cheek and gum. Gently massage the gums-again make this as pleasant as possible by giving lots of praise. Gradually build up the amount of time you spend massaging the gums until you feel comfortable with this step.

Step Three:

Repeat the last step using gauze, a piece of nylon stocking, cloth wrapped around your fingers or a soft finger toothbrush as this will increase the cleaning potential and get your pet used to a rougher surface in its mouth.

Step Four:

Congratulations! You have finally reached the time to use a toothbrush. Most any small, soft bristled toothbrush will do. We recommend a special type of toothpaste to use. Most toothpastes are an appealing flavor for animals, and some contain natural enzymes to help break down plaque. Animals object to the foaming action of human toothpaste so it is best to avoid using human toothpaste.

One word of caution: It may take several weeks to get your pet used to having its teeth brushed. Brushing one tooth at a time with a treat as a reward after is a good way to get your pet used to the toothbrush. Don’t get discouraged if your pet won’t allow a toothbrush near their mouth on the first day.

Preventive care is highly recommended so that cleanings under anesthetic and surgical repair can be minimized. Brushing your pet’s teeth can be a worthwhile investment in their overall health and well-being.

Suggestions For Home Dental Care

If we didn't brush our own teeth, after a day, our breath would stink. After a week, we would have a lot of plaque build up. After several weeks, we would develop tartar and gingivitis. Although we can perform a thorough dental cleaning under anesthesia, in between cleanings, some home care is needed to help slow the progression of dental disease.

Ideally, tooth brushing is the most effective way to remove plaque and slow tartar formation. You should use a toothpaste designed for dogs or cats (eg. CET brand enzymatic toothpaste) and you can use either a pet toothbrush, a finger brush, or a soft baby toothbrush. There are excellent videos on YouTube demonstrating the best technique to use (eg AKC Vet's corner - How To Brush Your Dog's Teeth). Start slowly and gently increase the time spent. Toothpaste and toothbrushes are available here, from Baker Ranch Animal Hospital.

*If your pet will not tolerate tooth-brushing there are some alternative products that can help - ask your veterinarian if they would be appropriate if your pet needs to stay on a prescription diet or medication.

  1. Breakables - enzymatic chews - these are very effective chews and most dogs LOVE the taste. They are a safe form of rawhide that will not cause an intestinal obstruction. They are coated with a natural enzyme that helps destroy plaque. The chewing action also increases saliva which also naturally helps reduce plaque.
  2. Dental Diets - Royal Canin Dental, Hill's T/d, Hill's ORAL CARE or Purina Veterinary Dental. These are great products for dogs and cats (unless they need to stay on an Rx diet). The kibble pieces are larger than normal and they have a mechanical action to clean the teeth.
  3. Dental Treats - Milk Bones Brushing Chews - These have the VOHC Seal of approval for an effective tartar removal.
  4. Plaque Off by Pro Den - this is a natural seaweed extract which helps prevent bacteria sticking to the teeth and so reduces plaque formation. It is a tasty powder which you apply onto your dog or cats food.
  5. Oral Rinses/ Water Additives - these generally contact an anti-bacterial ingredient to help reduce oral bacteria. They can be very effective to help smelly breath but some pets dislike the taste. Some products are more effective than others.

Most products listed above are available at Baker Ranch Animal Hospital.