The original item was published from March 28, 2017 10:01 AM to March 28, 2017 10:04 AM
AVOID DOGGIE BREATH WITH ROUTINE CARE
Brushing teeth prevents damage, improves hygiene and serves as a daily ritual for most. However, if you're a pet owner, do you extend this routine to your dog or cat?
Routine care for your pet, combined with regular visits to your veterinarian, will help to maintain a healthy mouth and minimize long-term problems. Signs of a healthy mouth include pink, not white or red, gums and clean teeth, without brownish-yellow tartar buildup.
Make Brushing a Pleasant Experience
Conduct regular checks at least once a week. Owners can
make the experience more pleasant for their pet through constant praise and a calm setting.
To help your pet become comfortable with brushing, here are a few tips:
- DO NOT pry your pet’s mouth open. Instead, you can softly pry apart the lips to access the gums and teeth.
- Gently massage the teeth and gums with your fingers.
- Introduce a pet-friendly, flavored toothpaste to your pet by allowing him or her to taste it from your finger before starting with a toothbrush. Your veterinarian can recommend toothpaste specially designed for your pet. DO NOT use toothpaste designed for people, as these can contain harmful or unpleasant ingredients.
- Softly brush the outside of the tooth from gum to tip — starting with the upper row first — for a thorough cleaning.
- To limit tartar buildup between brushings, chew toys and crunchy, easy-to-digest treats are a good reward.