PetsMeds

Why dental care?

Would you let years go by between visits to the dentist? Probably not! Your pet's dental health is just as important to hi or her overall health as your dental health is to your general health.

Dental care of dogs and cats is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of pet health cae. Recent studys show that approximately two-thirds of pet owners do not provide the dental care that is recommened as essential by veterinarians. 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show sins of oral disease by age three. Dental disease does not affect just the mouth. It can lead to more serious health problems including heart, lung and kidney disease, which makes it all more important that you provide your pet with proper dental care from the start.

Periodontal disease
Bad breath and tuna breath are not something to be ignored - they could be indicative of oral problem, and the sooner tyou have it treated by your vet and learn ho to do it home the sooner you and your pet can smile proudly.

Daily home oral care includes routine examinations of you pets mouth and brushing her teeth. As you care for yor pets mouth, look for warnign signs of gum disease such as bad breath, red and swillen gums, a yellow-brown crust of tartar around the gumline, and pain or bleeding when yo touch the gums or mouth. You should also watch fordiscolored, fractured, or missing teeth. Any bumps or masses within the mouth should also be checked by you vet. Regular brushing of you pets teeth is a very imortant preventive for oral and other diseases.

Number one, this should be fun for you and your pet. Be upbeat and take things slowly. Do not overly restrain you pet. Keep session short and positive. Be sure to praise your dog thoughout the process.

First, have your pet get used to you putting things in her mouth. Dip your finger in beef bouillon. Call your pet with a voice that means "treat" and let your pet lick the liquid off your finger. Then rub your soaked finger gently over your pets gums and teeth. After a few sessions, your pet should actually look forward to this and you can move on.

Now, place a gauze around your finger. Gently rub the teeth in a circular motion with your gauzed finger. Repeat this for the number of sessions it takes your pet to feel comfortable with this procedure. Remember to praise her and keep an upbeat attitude.

After you pet is used to having the flavored gauze in her mouth, you are ready to start with a toothbrush, dental sponge, or pad. We need to get your pet used to the consistency of these items, especially the bristles on a brush. So, let your pet lick something tasty off of the brush or pad so they get used to the texture.

Once your pet is used to the cleaning item you are going to use, we can add toothpaste or rise. Pet toothpastes either have a poultry, malt, or other flavor so your pet will like the taste. Get your pet used to the flavor and consistency of the toothpaste. Let your pet lick some off your finger and then apply some to you pet's gumline with your finger. Praise your pet.

Now that the pet is use to everything we are ready to start brushing. Talk to your pet in a happy voice during the process and praise your pet a the end. You may just want to strat with the canine teeth which are the two big teeth in fornt. This will give you some practice and get your pet use to it. Now after a few times we can add more teeth to the brushing. Remember to make it like a game and fun for the pet.

The more you brush the teeth the better t is for the pet. Always aim for daily dental care for you pet, just as you do for yourself. The hard part about home care for your pet is just getting strated. Once you have done it for a while, t just becomes part of your daily routine. Now rmember to have fun with your pet and get lots of kisses after this because they now have a nice clean mouth and no more pet breath.