What methods are you using to keep your pet's dental health good and avoid the hefty dental treatments?
Bonus kibbles for ones that more easily accepted by our fellow fur pals. (OP's pet is a Cat, but do share for all pets)
Advice for Pet's Dental Hygiene Maintenance?
PuntyBrah on 11/08/2022 - 18:53
Last edited 12/08/2022 - 00:51
Last edited 12/08/2022 - 00:51
Comments
I brush my dogs' teeth every two days. My dogs tolerate electric toothbrush so that helps a lot. I'm not sure if toothpaste's brand is important. They seem to give similar result.
Recently I add TEEF! to their drinking water and it does an amazing job. Stains at places that toothbrush can't reach are mostly gone. I tried many different additives but TEEF! is the only one that I can see the result.
Recently I add TEEF!(shop.yourpetpa.com.au) to their drinking water and it does an amazing job. Stains at places that toothbrush can't reach are mostly gone. I tried many different additives but TEEF! is the only one that I can see the result.
I find these water additives questionable at best. Dogs don't exactly slurp water around in their mouth when they drink and if it's powerful enough to get rid of stains without any abrasion then what's in it?!
I agree. None of the additives that I tried for my dogs before Teef worked so those are just expensive water for my dogs.
I was sceptical about teef when I bought it but it works so I guess it is different? Teef is said to improve the oral microbiome. The main ingredient is patented and clinically proven, that was why I decided to give it a go.
I would also add that my dogs are small (fox terrier size) and old. They aren't interested in chewing bones so it can be challenging to keep their teeth clean and healthy. However with the care that I gave, our vet hasn't had any concerns about my dogs' teeth over the last 4-5 years.
Check out deer antlers - a dog group friend of ours put us on to them when this topic came up. Our dog's teeth were perfectly clean up until he hit about 2 and a half years old, that's when they started getting plaque build up, especially on the upper back teeth on both sides. We tried brushing daily, didn't work (plus he hated it).
The antlers work a treat, all the plaque is gone - chewing the antler scrapes it away. Keeps him busy, lasts for months, just watch out for some that have a strong odor - most don't but we've found a couple do.We tried brushing daily, didn't work (plus he hated it).
Brushing teeth is preventative not a solution. If you already have plaque and gum disease, brushing their teeth won't magically solve it.
I'd suggest keeping up with the brushing after a clean at the dentist.
Keeps him busy, lasts for months, just watch out for some that have a strong odor
Yeah I had the same. After a few weeks the deer antlers start to smell quite ripe. I'm guessing it's not so much the antlers but the saliva from the dogs interacting with something since they're porous.
That's a good point, I didn't mention that we had the vet clean his teeth and remove the plaque, then we continued to brush which didn't work.
But for that, he had to go under general anaesthetic, which has its own risks, along with being costly.
Wouldn't recommend it personally.Ah right so you continued to brush but it came back? That's different then.
which has its own risks, along with being costly.
Wouldn't recommend it personally.By not doing a dental clean you are just deferring the risk until later when it's much more costly and risky. A teeth clean now at 2 years old is much less risky than removing all their teeth and having gum disease at 10, for example.
But I do agree, it isn't without its risks so it shouldn't be seen as something that is every few years, i'm looking for ways to prevent it in the first place.
Occasional cleans by the vet is part and parcel of owning a dog. If you don't, they will need extractions/amputations of teeth, and if you don't do those, they will be in extreme pain.
Feed 'em dry food more than wet food. Raw bones are good every now & then
Royal Canin Veterinary Dental Kibble
Purina Dentalife Daily Treats.My rescue cat has had teeth removed before I adopted her due to gingivitis but ever since she was put on the dental kibble her teeth is now in tip top shape. She love the Dentalife treats as well
Try Oxyfresh Dental Additive - it's a little pricey but has worked well for my cat's gingivitis issue.
Lot's of lovely natural chews will do wonders for keeping teeth and gums healthy. Plus raw carrots are great to chew on and have lots of vitamins.
There are plenty of single ingredient proteins such as shark tails, duck wings, kangaroo tails.
Naked Munch Pets do an awesome range of these plus they are great to keep your doggo entertained.
We love the duck wings as they are great for Shih Tzu's sensitive tummy. She is also 13 and the duck wings bones are a little softer for her to chew on
Daily brushing (if your dog tolerates it), otherwise hard, abrasive foods including bones and dental kibble. There are additives to water, but YMMV