{"id":5748,"date":"2021-02-03T16:36:10","date_gmt":"2021-02-03T16:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aercmn.com\/?p=5748"},"modified":"2021-02-03T16:36:10","modified_gmt":"2021-02-03T16:36:10","slug":"home-dental-care-for-your-cat-and-dog-part-ii-steps-involved-in-brushing-dental-care-products","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/home-dental-care-for-your-cat-and-dog-part-ii-steps-involved-in-brushing-dental-care-products\/","title":{"rendered":"Home Dental Care for Your Cat and Dog | Part II: Steps Involved in Brushing & Dental Care Products"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"cat,<\/p>\n

Be sure to read\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Part<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>1:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Why and How Should I Provide At-Home Dental Care?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In the hierarchy of daily home dental care, brushing or wiping is best (the \u201cgold standard\u201d) to remove plaque<\/span><\/span>. C<\/span><\/span>hewing dental treats and safe objects<\/span><\/span>\u00a0are considered second best<\/span><\/span>, and a distant third place are passive products such as water additives.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Often<\/span><\/span>, pet owners who start a home dental care regimen believe that in so doing, they can skip their pet\u2019s annual veterinary dental care. Not so! L<\/span><\/span>ike people, pets who receive daily dental care still need annual veterinary dental care including\u00a0<\/span><\/span>an\u00a0<\/span><\/span>oral exam, dental cleaning, and full mouth dental\u00a0<\/span><\/span>x<\/span><\/span>-rays to check for problems\u00a0<\/span><\/span>below the gumline<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>But p<\/span><\/span>reventing periodontal disease and finding oral issues earl<\/span><\/span>ier<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>will lower<\/span><\/span>\u00a0the amount of veterinary<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>therapy<\/span><\/span>\u00a0needed<\/span><\/span>\u00a0a<\/span><\/span>nd therefore lower<\/span><\/span>\u00a0the cost.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"cat,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to Start Your Pet’s Daily Dental Care<\/h3>\n

Keep it Positive<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Learning to brush teeth\u00a0<\/span>requires s<\/span>everal<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>positive, reward-based<\/span>\u00a0sessions of a few seconds to a minute per day<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Reward<\/span>s can\u00a0<\/span>be a small edible treat,\u00a0<\/span>a toy, or\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>\u00a0favorite activity like a walk<\/span>, a meal, or snuggling on the couch<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Set small, measurable goals and be flexible with yourself and your pet. Try your best and remember that life happens!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"dog,<\/p>\n

A New Habit<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Brushing your pet\u2019s teeth will be easier to remember if you link it to something you already do every day<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Some owners brush their pet\u2019s teeth after brushing their own teeth.\u00a0<\/span>Commit to it daily over a four to six-week period until it is part of your routine. Involving other family members helps ensure that the burden\u00a0<\/span>isn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0entirely shouldered by you, and that brushing or wiping t<\/span>akes place even if\u00a0<\/span>you are<\/span>\u00a0away.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The following are the s<\/span>teps for brushing\u00a0<\/span>your\u00a0<\/span>pet\u2019s teeth<\/span>. Remember, each step should be performed daily for one to two weeks\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>before<\/i><\/strong>\u00a0moving on to the next step<\/strong>.<\/span>\u00a0If your pet resists going to the next step, go back to the\u00a0<\/span>previous<\/span>\u00a0step for another week. If you still experience resistance, talk to your veterinarian. Your pet may have pain<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Get comfortable in a quiet place. Have your pet <\/span>sit or<\/span>\u00a0stand\u00a0<\/span>on<\/span>\u00a0your lap. Start<\/span>\u00a0by<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>just\u00a0<\/span>petting your pet\u2019s face and lips. Practice\u00a0<\/span>lifting<\/span>\u00a0your pet<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0lips.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Allow your pet to lick<\/span>\u00a0a pea-sized sample of pet toothpaste\u00a0<\/span>from<\/span>\u00a0your finger or\u00a0<\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>small soft toothbrush.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Introduce a toothbrush.<\/span>\u00a0Some pets tolerate wipes, finger brushes, gauze wipes, Q-tips, or even a clean washcloth better than toothbrushes.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Combine<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>the brushing\/wiping with the pet toothpaste.\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>he outsides of the teeth will be the easiest<\/span>\u00a0to access<\/span>. After several weeks,\u00a0<\/span>you can train your pet to hold a cylinder-shaped toy while brushing so you can access the insides of the teeth more easily.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    It may take several weeks to months for\u00a0<\/span>your<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>pet to\u00a0<\/span>get used to\u00a0<\/span>having his or her teeth brushed<\/span>. During that time of learning, daily use of an oral rinse or application of other plaque-repelling products can help.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"dog,<\/p>\n

    Dental Care Products<\/h3>\n

    A list of Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approved products can be found at vohc.org<\/a>.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>The VOHC exists to recognize products that meet pre-set standards of plaque and tartar prevention.<\/span>\u00a0Products carrying the VOHC\u00ae Seal of Acceptance include dental diets, dental chews and rawhides, brushes, water additives, oral gels,\u00a0<\/span>sprays<\/span>\u00a0and sealants.<\/span>\u00a0Discuss specific products with your\u00a0<\/span>veterinarian, and<\/span>\u00a0u<\/span>se only products that are safe for pets. Many human dental products <\/span>contain<\/span>\u00a0ingredients\u00a0<\/span>which are toxic to pets (such as xylitol<\/a>) or are meant to be spit out and not ingested.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Read Part III<\/a> to learn advanced tips for tooth brushing\/wiping.<\/span><\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Animal<\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    <\/a><\/p>\n