PET CARE AT HOME: oral care

​I wanted to share some great tips on oral health care at home.  Did you know that oral hygiene can make a huge difference in your pet’s comfort and health?  There are many products and options to choose from but keep in mind anything you can do to help prevent plaque and tartar accumulation will pay off big time.  What really matters is whether or not oral hygiene will be provided over the long haul.  
Tip #1   :    BRUSHING IS BEST.  USE PET-SPECIFIC TOOTHPASTE. THEY COME IN FLAVORS LIKE POULTY OR SEAFOOD SO YOUR PET WILL ACCEPT THEM.
Tip #2:       BRUSH THE OUTSIDE OF TEETH (YOU DON’T HAVE TO GET ALL CRAZY AND OPEN THE MOUTH…IT WOULD BE TOO STRESSFUL FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED!)
Tip #3:       BRUSH DAILY FOR BEST RESULTS OR AT LEAST 4-5 TIMES A WEEK.  ANYTHING LESS IS NOT WORTH IT. 
Tip #4:       DENTAL DIETS REALLY HELP!  THEY ARE FORMULATED TO KEEP PLAQUE FROM ACCUMULATING. FOOD ADDITIVES ARE HELPFUL TOO…WE LIKE A PRODUCT CALLED PERIOSUPPORT.
Tip #5:      DENTAL CHEWS ARE GOOD BUT COW HOOF, DRIED BONES AND NYLON PRODUCTS ARE NOT RECCOMENDED BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO HARD AND DO NOT MIMIC THE EFFECT OF TEARING MEAT OFF A CARCASS.
 
I think incorporating a few modalities is even better.  I like brushing best, but adding a dental diet such as T/D made by Hills is a really nice combo.  Even just the act of wiping the plaque off the tooth near the gum line is a good thing.   I am passionate about pets and helping care for them is what I love to do.  I will admit, I cannot pass up looking in a patient’s mouth… (ears too!).   Hope these tips help! Lesley Coviello, CVT