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Month of Dental Care

Month of Dental Care

The month of February has been declared Dental Care Month by Vetsend. During this month, the focus is on the dental care of our dear pets. After all, dental problems are more common than you think! Find out why dental care is important and how best to tackle it. At Vetsend you will find everything you need to take care of your pet’s teeth. Care is better than cure!

Dental care for your pet!

Studies reveal that 80% of pets over three years old suffer from dental issues, often caused by plaque and tartar buildup. Neglected teeth may lead to tooth loss, and more critically, dental problems can jeopardize your pet's overall health. Foul breath is not normal and could indicate dental issues. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize proper dental care! The most effective method is daily tooth brushing.

Dental care

What else can you do?

Besides brushing teeth, using a toothbrush or dental wipe with a special toothpaste, there are other ways to take care of your dog’s or cat’s teeth. Certainly cats often find it harder to have their teeth brushed than dogs. To improve bad breath and prevent plaque and tartar from forming, various products are available. You can opt for supplements, in the form of powders or liquids. You easily add the ground powder to dry or wet food and the mouthwash easily to drinking water. Bad breath disappears and the condition of the gums improves. These are the first signs of improving oral and dental hygiene. Want to surprise your pet? You can do so with a dental chew snack that stimulates chewing and thereby cleans the teeth. Or how about a fun chew toy that is made with, for example, holes or another structure that makes it rub along the teeth and thus partially removes plaque. It is also possible to use a (diet) food especially for teeth. Due to the special shape, composition and texture of the kibble, your dog’s and cat’s teeth are cleaned while chewing. In case of persistent dental problems or bad breath, consult a vet.

Dental food & snacks

Everything you need to know about your pet's dental care

National Pet Dental Health Month

Dental problems in dogs and cats are more common than people think. Despite the fact that about 98% of vets recommend dog owners to clean their teeth, only about 2% actually apply this advice. In addition, research has shown that 80% of dogs older than three years have dental problems, while only 23% of dog owners indicate that their four-legged friend has a dental problem. To raise national awareness for this problem, February has been declared National Pet Dental Health Month.

Brushing your dog’s and cat’s teeth

Taking care of your dog's or cat's teeth is an important part of the daily grooming routine. You can contribute to oral health in various ways, such as giving special chews, treats or food that helps take care of the teeth. You can also add special agents to the drinking water. However, one of the most effective methods is to brush your dog or cat's teeth. This mainly concerns the outside of the teeth. The inside of the teeth is cleaned by the tongue of the animal. In cats, brushing only the upper teeth and molars may be sufficient. Because of the small size of the mouth, there is often relatively little space left to also brush the lower teeth. In addition, the shape of the cat's teeth ensures that the lower teeth and molars are normally also somewhat cleaned when opening and closing the mouth.

Dental problems in rabbits and rodents

Dental problems in rabbits and rodents are more common than you think. Unfortunately, it is not always clear that it concerns problems with the teeth. We often see the same abnormalities in rabbits and rodents. However, in this article, we tell you everything you need to know about dental problems in rodents and rabbits.

More tips

Chew toys for your pet

4 tips for healthy teeth

Tip 1: Get accustomed to it gradually

If possible, start brushing your pet’s teeth early. Brushing doesn’t require the mouth to be completely open. Comfort your dog or cat, then lift the lip and start with short touches on the teeth. Gradually expand to clean all visible parts on the outside of the teeth. Reward this behavior and progress until you can brush the entire set of teeth. It’s important not to initiate dental care only when there are dental problems.

Tip 2: Avoid using human toothpaste

For optimal brushing results, you can use toothpaste similar to what humans use. However, toothpaste designed for humans is not suitable for animals. This is because the human version contains fluoride, which can be harmful to your pet’s stomach.

Tip 3: Dental diet can be beneficial

Special diets designed to support dental hygiene contain various nutrients that encourage plaque breakdown. Additionally, the kibble has an adapted shape, size, and structure, providing mechanical cleaning of the teeth. Chewing on the kibble immediately “polishes” the teeth.

Tip 4: Dental care

Give your pet a radiant smile and fresh breath! For instance, the Trixie Dental Care Kit offers everything you need for this. Other ways to contribute to your pet’s oral health include special chew treats, such as DentaLife chew treats for cats or Whimzees Toothbrushes for dogs.