5 Reasons Why Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth Pays Off
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Because hell-itosis and gum infection in cats & dogs are so preventable.
They don’t enjoy it, and you don’t have time for it either. We feel you. But your cat or dog (and you) will be so much happier and pain-free if you brush their teeth every day, after meals. Here’s why:
1. No more stinky cat or dog breath
You will enjoy them so much better especially if they share your bed.
Quick tips for owners with kittens and pups:
Start early and get them used to the feeling of a toothbrush in their mouth. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
Use only pet toothpaste. Most are flavoured to provide a more positive experience for your pet. Do not use human toothpaste because they are not safe if your pets swallow them.
Credit: Liz Climo
2. They can keep enjoying the food you painstakingly prepare for them
Severe dental issues due to lack of brushing almost always end in tooth extraction. Without their teeth, your pets cannot enjoy their food properly. Unlike humans, your pets can’t use dentures/dental prosthetics to help them chew so they should keep their teeth intact for as long as possible.
Only brush the teeth you want to keep - Dr Seuss
Brushing after meals is especially important if you feed them soft food e.g. home cooked, canned, rehydrated etc. as part of their regular diet.
Fact: Soft food tend to promote plaque build-up. So brush those teeth after every meal!
3. Healthy teeth + gums = no pain!
Gum diseases (gingivitis) are very common without regular brushing and in some severe cases, jaw infections can occur. Your pets can feel a lot of pain and manifest this by excessive drooling, pawing at their mouth or face, and dropping food while eating etc. So if you notice any of these symptoms, please bring them to see us or your veterinarian.
Did you know? It’s not just about the teeth. Bacteria associated with serious dental diseases can enter the blood stream and invade multiple organs such as heart, liver and kidneys.
4. Saves money in the long run
Regular brushing and occasional teeth-scaling (where necessary) combined is still a whole lot cheaper than forking out money for teeth extraction and treating dental infections. Depending on the severity of the dental disease, X-rays may be required to diagnose tooth root abscesses or jaw infections.
5. No need to put your dog/cat under (unnecessarily)
Lack of regular brushing means your pet will have to go through teeth-scaling, which is a procedure most effective under general anaesthesia. Why? Because it’s the best and least stressful way (for your pet) to get a deep clean.
Fact: All dental diseases begin under the gum line, so it is important that your pet is fully sedated when scaling their teeth to ensure a thorough clean. Teeth-cleaning services typically offered by groomers are much less effective.
There you have it, top 5 reasons why you should brush your furkid’s teeth regularly. If you need pet dental advice, our team at Gaia Veterinary Centre is happy to share tips and tricks for dog and/or cat dental care and of course, treat all the ailments mentioned above.
Article updated 24 September 2019.