Animals also suffer from the plague most humans know as bad breath. Domestic dogs and cats are highly prone to bad breath, which can indicate serious oral illness, such as gingivitis, periodontal disease, and cavities. So in order to ensure your pet’s health, it’s important to give your pet some preventative care. Bacteria can build up in a dog or cat’s mouth, so you should keep them clean.
Always go to the vet before you consider brushing your pet’s teeth for the first time. You may injure your pet if he already has an oral disease.
Of course the vets will say you need to brush their teeth every day, but weekly is fine as well. It’s best to brush your pet’s teeth when it is feeling very relaxed, so pick the quietest time of your pet’s day to do this.
Do not use toothbrushes or toothpaste intended for humans. The chemicals in human toothpaste can hurt an animal and human brushes are just too rough. Buy a finger toothbrush and toothpaste meant for animals instead; they can be found at a local pet store.
Your pet might not want to open its mouth for you, so training may be required. Every time it obediently follows your directions, give it a treat, and lots of praise. Make sure your pet understands it is getting rewarded for this behavior so in the future it will gladly do so again.
Make sure your pet is comfortable while you brush. Some pets might prefer to lie on their stomachs, others might prefer to remain standing on all fours, and you could even have your pet cuddle on your lap. Never brush a pet’s teeth while it is on it’s back. The water could choke them.
Place the finger toothbrush over your finger and place a bit of toothpaste on it. Thanks to this type of soft bristled brush, you will be able to have a lot more control while brushing. Instead of thinking about it as brushing your pet’s teeth, think of it as massaging its mouth. Use small circling motions over all the surfaces of the teeth to make sure you are getting every bit covered. It is best to go over the cat or dog’s tongue as well. This is a breeding ground for bacteria.
Always treat the pet after the brushing is over. Next time, when your dog jumps up for a wet smooch, his breath will be fresh as mint.
When it comes to keeping your pet happy and healthy there is nothing more important than proper pets grooming. Whether you take your pet to a professional groomer or do the job yourself using the proper pet grooming supplies, you are demonstrating your love and affection for your furry friend.