Sometimes the question of caring for the oral cavity of pets is perplexing: “how, do dogs need to brush their teeth? Can they get sick? They can. And how! Moreover, in the absence of proper care, a dog or cat may be left without teeth at all! So what's the right way to do it?
From the very first days of the appearance of a puppy or kitten in your home, you need to buy everything you need to care for him, including toothpaste and a toothbrush. No one will ever give you a 100% guarantee that your fluffy will have healthy and strong teeth, because even in the same litter, babies can be different! If you do not notice the onset of the disease in time, then after a while this will lead to a trip to the veterinary clinic, and the methods used in dentistry for animals are very different from the methods used for humans. Remember: most procedures, even ordinary stone removal, are performed under anesthesia, so prevention is the best way to avoid such problems!
- Dental calculus - limescale deposits on the teeth.
- Caries is damage to the tissues of the tooth.
- Stomatitis is an inflammation of the oral mucosa.
- Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums.
- Paradontitis is an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tooth.
- unpleasant odor;
- bleeding from the gums;
- refusal to play with hard objects, gnaw a "bone" and even take hard food;
- deterioration in mood, lethargy
Prevention of oral diseases in pets
Daily inspection
Even if there are no external signs, be sure to check your pet's teeth at least once a day. This must be done because the animal can get damaged while playing or gnawing on any object, for example, its favorite toy or bone. The sooner a problem is identified, the more chances you have to solve it successfully!
Teeth cleaning
This is the main procedure, which is usually carried out once a week. First of all, you need to buy a toothbrush and toothpaste.
How to choose a toothbrush
The size of the brush should be appropriate for the size of the animal. For example, for cats, Pomeranians, Yorkies, and other small dogs, a soft brush for newborn babies is best. If the fluffy already has problems, then use only soft brushes with even bristles without massaging inserts. Those. just follow the factory instructions. Do not forget that the brush has a service life, after which it must be replaced with a new one.
How to choose a toothpaste
There is a fairly large selection of toothpastes of Russian and foreign production on sale. When choosing, you should focus not on the price or manufacturer, but primarily on the composition of the paste.
The composition should not contain anything harmful, toxic, since after brushing the animal's teeth are not rinsed. Also, pay attention to the presence of sharp fragrances such as menthol: not all animals will react calmly to such a smell. Pasta with meat flavors (chicken, beef, etc.) or no flavor at all works best.
Always check the expiration date of the paste: usually the tube lasts for a long time, so the expiration date should be appropriate.
How to brush your dog or cat's teeth
The further attitude of your pet to this not very pleasant process depends on how you act correctly the first time. To begin with, be sure to introduce the fluffy to new objects so that they become "your own". Let it play, nibble on the brush. Squeeze a drop of paste onto your finger, let it smell, lick. When the pet realizes that there is nothing wrong, proceed to the next stage.
Gently take the animal in your arms and sit comfortably. During cleaning, it is necessary to have good control of the head, otherwise you can accidentally cause injury. Squeeze some of the paste onto the brush, gently open your mouth and with very light, gentle movements, begin to brush your teeth and massage your gums.
During this procedure, show maximum patience, do not raise your voice, do not twitch the animal. By doing this, you can only do harm, and in the future, cleaning will become a serious stress for both you and your pet. Try to present everything in a playful way, say affectionate words, praise for good behavior. Remember, it will be much easier next time!
After finishing the procedure, wash and dry the brush thoroughly. For 20-30 minutes, do not give anything - no food, not water.
What to do with bleeding gums
Toothpaste is a good preventive measure, but sometimes it is not very effective and then stronger drugs come to the rescue. One of the best and safest on this list is the all-natural phytocomplex Dentavidin - a product produced specifically for dogs and cats.
If you find that your pet's gums are bleeding, after cleaning, be sure to apply this drug and continue the course for the time specified in the instructions; you do not need to brush your teeth again before applying. As a rule, the effect of the application is visible already on the same day: bleeding and pain are noticeably reduced, which is clearly seen in the behavior of the animal.
If serious problems are found, do not self-medicate! See your doctor!
