To stay healthy and happy for a long life, your pets’ teeth need regular cleaning to remove plaque and prevent tartar build-up. This helps promote healthy enamel and minimize erosion of gum tissue. Good dental health goes beyond making your pet a more enjoyable housemate; it can help pets live healthier lives. It’s easier than you think to maintain pet dental health between visits to an animal vet clinic for cleanings.

Dental Exam and Supplies

Bad breath in pets can be caused by teeth and gums that need cleaning, but it can also indicate kidney failure, animal diabetes, cancer, infections, or unhealthy eating habits. Before starting a dental cleaning routine, schedule a pet dental exam at our veterinary hospital to eliminate other concerns first. You will also make sure there are no sores on the gums that would make dental cleanings a painful experience for everyone involved. Our Spokane veterinarian can also give you a demonstration of proper cleaning to get you started out right with puppy and kitten wellness or extend pet senior wellness.

Our animal vet clinic and Spokane pet stores offer specialized cleaning tools and toothpastes for pets. Custom-made pet toothpastes in great meaty flavors for dogs and cats feature enzymes that are safe to swallow (unlike human toothpastes) and continue to clean teeth over time. A brush cleaning tool works best in most cases, so start there, but a number of styles are available on the market for when pets prefer them as alternatives.

Getting Started and Using Chew Toys for Additional Pet Dental Benefits

It’s important to get the right start, so start slow. Let pets lick the toothpaste from the brush the first few times, praising your pet’s acceptance of the tool and toothpaste. Once your pet is comfortable, gently clean gums and teeth with the brush, staying focused on focusing the outside surfaces. Most pets will benefit from regular cleanings.

There are many treats, chew toys and bones designed to clean your pet’s teeth and minimize the need for manual dental care. Our veterinary hospital team can recommend what we have seen work for our own pets, but the best one for your animal is the one that is enjoyable and safe. Don’t forget to consider the impact on your pet if you’re counting calories to keep a healthy weight.

Let our team at A-1 Animal Care help you develop a practical routine for dental health. Call our veterinarian with questions!

What tips can you share with other pet owners about home pet dental care?