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Before you begin, be sure to read Part I<\/a> and Part II<\/a> of this three-part blog about Home Dental Care for Your Cat and Dog.<\/p>\n Hopefully,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0you and your beloved fur baby have started daily home dental care.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Congratulations \u2013 you both rock<\/span><\/span>!\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Studies have shown that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>d<\/span><\/span>aily or every<\/span><\/span>–<\/span><\/span>other<\/span><\/span>–<\/span><\/span>day brushing ha<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0a significant reduction in plaque and calculus<\/span><\/span>\u00a0–<\/span><\/span>\u00a0as compared to weekly or every<\/span><\/span>–<\/span><\/span>other<\/span><\/span>–<\/span><\/span>week brushing<\/span><\/span>, so\u00a0<\/span><\/span>you\u2019ve<\/span><\/span>\u00a0got a leg up on your pet\u2019s oral health care.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>That said<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0some pets<\/span><\/span>\u00a0need\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a little\u00a0<\/span><\/span>more<\/span><\/span>! Read on to see if your pet may be one of those animals.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A soft-bristled, appropriately-<\/span>sized brush is great<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0but there are other items that can be used,\u00a0<\/span>including<\/span>\u00a0a clean washcloth, Q-tip,\u00a0<\/span>fingerbrush<\/span>, gauze pad, or <\/span>dental\u00a0<\/span>wipe. Remember,\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0the daily physical disruption of the plaque from the tooth surface<\/span>\u00a0that\u00a0<\/span>is important, not the item doing the disruption<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Even a<\/span>llowing your pet to chew on a toothbrush that is preloaded with pet toothpaste\u00a0<\/span>works,<\/span>\u00a0too, as they are brushing while chewing<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Have your dog hold a toy<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0like a\u00a0<\/span>Kong\u00ae<\/span><\/a>or\u00a0<\/span>Goughnuts\u00ae<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>on one side<\/span>\u00a0of his mouth<\/span>\u00a0while using a toothbrush to\u00a0<\/span>get to the inside of the upper and lower teeth<\/span>\u00a0on the other side<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Remember, brushing is best. <\/span>However,<\/span>\u00a0chewing is a great stress-reliever for our pets. Chews, treats and safe, appropriate chew toys have a benefit if chewing occurs for\u00a0<\/span>at least\u00a0<\/span>ten<\/span>\u00a0minutes<\/span>\u00a0at a stretch<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>It is essential that c<\/span>hews and treats should be\u00a0<\/span>provided when you can\u00a0<\/span>supervise<\/span>; all too often, our enthusiastic pets attempt to swallow\u00a0<\/span>an<\/span>\u00a0edible\u00a0<\/span>chew when it is still too large and may\u00a0<\/span>pos<\/span>e a choking hazard<\/span>. Make sure chew toy<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>are<\/span>\u00a0larger than your pet\u2019s mouth and<\/span>, when in doubt,<\/span>\u00a0size up.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>No toy is indestructible, so inspect each toy and toss if damage is found.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n C.E.T.\u00ae Enzymatic Toothpaste<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(vanilla-mint flavor<\/span>\u00a0only<\/span>) does not\u00a0<\/span>contain<\/span>\u00a0any animal or grain proteins.\u00a0<\/span>Other options for products are\u00a0<\/span>Maxi\/Guard\u00ae<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Oral Cleansing Gel or Maxi\/Guard\u00ae\u00a0<\/span>OraZn<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>that even the most discriminating pets will accept. This product also comes<\/span>\u00a0in the form of a wipe pad.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For reward treats after brushing, mini marshmallows\u00a0<\/span>can be used<\/span>; Dr. Andrea Meyer<\/a>, Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota’s board-certified veterinary dermatologist, recommends these as treats for pets who are sensitive to food ingredients.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some pets object to the chlorhexidine rinse as it is squirted into their mouths. You can try applying it with a toothbrush or Q-tip. Other options for products are\u00a0<\/span>Maxi\/Guard\u00ae<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>Oral Cleansing Gel or Maxi\/Guard\u00ae\u00a0OraZn<\/span>; t<\/span>his product also comes in the form of a wipe pad.<\/span>Pets that may require more than just brushing or wiping:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nAdvanced Tips<\/h3>\n
Do I have to\u00a0<\/span><\/b>use<\/span><\/b>\u00a0a toothbrush?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
How\u00a0<\/span><\/b>do I brush the insides of my dog<\/span><\/b>\u2019s teeth?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
What about treats or chews?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nMy cat\/dog has food sensitivities. What can I use?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
My cat\/dog doesn\u2019t like the taste of the oral rinse<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n