Do you brush your pet’s teeth regularly?  No?  Well, I have to admit that I’m not as diligent as I should be.  But it’s very important to keep your pets’ teeth clean.  When the teeth become covered in plaque, inflammation sets in and then periodontal disease follows.  The infections from rotting teeth can spread to the pet’s heart, cause diabetes, kidney problems and other disorders. Not to mention the pain from the infected teeth!  We see quite a few dogs and cats coming into the shelter with terrible teeth and are a major expense to the ARL to have their teeth treated.

How can you prevent periodontal disease in pets?  First, of course, brush their teeth regularly.  The recommendation is for daily brushing but try for weekly if you can’t do it every day.  Have your pet’s teeth cleaned by your veterinarian per the vet’s instructions.  Next, avoid people food and soft pet food.  Soft foods collect at the gum line and encourage tartar build up.  It’s best to feed your pet dry food.  Finally, look for chew toys and treats designed to help keep the teeth clean. 

When brushing your pet’s teeth, NEVER use human toothpaste.  It’s not meant to be ingested and can poison your pet.  Buy specially formulated toothpaste for dogs and cats, available at your pet store.  It tastes good (I use chicken flavor) and your pet will enjoy the brushing process more!