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We recently broke down the \u201cHow To\u201d instructions of cleaning your pet’s teeth<\/a>,\u00a0 but now will take a look at what kinds of products will best care for your dog or cat\u2019s oral hygiene in the cleaning process.\u00a0 Dental disease is one of the most common ailments for both dogs and cats (nearly 85% of domestic pets suffer from periodontal disease), and can also lead to several serious infections.\u00a0 Be prepared with the proper tools, toys and chews to fortify your cat or dog\u2019s oral hygiene, as dental care should be a high priority for your pet.<\/p>\n Pet toothbrushes<\/b>:\u00a0 Start off with a reliable toothbrush designed exactly for your pet\u2019s mouth. Most pet stores offer brushes with soft bristles, flat headed tops so as not to disturb the animal\u2019s gums. \u00a0 If your pet is uncomfortable having a pointy brush in his mouth, there are also finger toothbrushes which cap your digits for an easy way to brush your pet\u2019s teeth. Dental dog toys:<\/b>\u00a0 These rubber dog toys are designed to improve oral hygiene by naturally scrapping off the plaque buildup on a dog\u2019s teeth with narrow fissures and ridges. Similarly, flossy rope chew toys also help work through teeth, helping to remove any food trapped between them or in pockets of your pet\u2019s mouth.Care products<\/h2>\n
\nPet Toothpaste:\u00a0 <\/b>Since cats and dogs cannot use human toothpaste, make sure you get them their own.\u00a0 Pets don\u2019t understand that they need to spit out the paste, so they will usually just swallow whatever is in their mouths, so make sure you choose a product that won\u2019t make them sick. Pet toothpastes come in flavors such as mint, spearmint, peanut butter, liver, poultry, beef, seafood, vanilla, etc.\u00a0 Some pastes will even brighten the whiteness of your dog\u2019s teeth.\u00a0 (Note: if you are brushing your pet\u2019s teeth not only for the health but because of bad breath- steer clear of meat or fish-flavored pastes.)\u00a0
\nAnti-plaque products: \u00a0<\/b> Some products come in the form of gel pads that can be rubbed over a dog\u2019s teeth to help guard against the buildup of tartar. There are also anti-plaque oral sprays, and anti-plaque water additives, both of which can significantly decrease tartar build-up in dogs and cats.
\nDental cleanse pads: <\/b>These products are great quick-fixes on days when you don\u2019t have time for a full brushing session. Most dental cleansing pad products are filled with chlohexidine (a bacteria killing agent), and can be rubbed over the teeth and gums of your pet, leaving a minty fragrance behind.<\/p>\nToys and Chews<\/h2>\n
\nBad Breath Chews:<\/b>\u00a0 Sometimes dogs and cats develop foul bad breath<\/a> that can be very challenging to beat. Many cat treats and dog chews both taste delicious to your pet, but will also make life better for you. There are spearmint biscuits, mint-flavored bones, and mint or fennel flavored treats. Be sure that you pick something chewy enough for the pet to really work on without swallowing it too quickly to benefit from the freshness. If the chews aren\u2019t working, there are also breath tablets that you can give a pet to freshen up his mouth.
\nCleansing Pet Chews<\/b>: \u00a0 These brushless toothpaste chews, are perfect for those who are unable to scrub their pet\u2019s teeth daily. \u00a0 Certain products are shaped to resemble edible floss in the treat, to help get in crevices while your dog is playfully chewing. \u00a0 Many of these treats have flaxseed and baking soda to work as abrasive cleaning agents, and are paired with fresh flavors like mint, fennel or parsley\u00a0 to keep your pet\u2019s mouth salubrious.<\/p>\nProducts recommended by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)<\/i><\/h2>\n