New Bedford Pet Health: Feline & Canine Dental Care at Home
If you are experiencing bad breath in dogs and cats or if you notice that your pet’s teeth are not in very good shape, they would benefit from professional dental care for pets at your local veterinary office. However, to avoid medical issues and problems that can come from poor dental care, New Bedford pet owners should practice good hygiene for both cats and dogs that include in-home dental care. Studies show that pets who receive in-home canine dental care or feline dental care are much less likely to develop periodontal disease than pets who do not receive in-home care.
A Few Minutes Each Day
You might be thinking to yourself that your day is already filled with feeding, walking, playing, and otherwise caring for your pet in addition to taking care of your household, children, work, etc. Where can you find time to now provide in-home dental care? The truth is that the best dental care for pets takes just a few minutes each day. Once you get a good start and build daily habits, cleaning and care will be much easier for both you and your pet.
The cost to get started with in-home dental care for pets is also much cheaper than having to treat serious dental problems in the future. New Bedford pet owners can purchase a basic toothbrush and dental treatment product through their local veterinarian or at a local pet supply store. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations, as well as for information on annual professional cleanings and long-term care.
Getting Started
For the most part, your dog will enjoy the extra focused attention each day and might even look forward to in-home canine dental care. Cats can be a bit trickier, but many will settle in and let you provide feline dental care without putting up too much of a fight. Start by brushing your pet’s teeth daily with a special brush designed for pets. This will help to reduce the amount of plaque-forming bacteria that attaches itself to your pet’s teeth. Begin by brushing just a few seconds each time and work your way up to a few minutes so you can get each and every tooth.
Once brushing is done, you can provide dental treats that work to scrape off any existing plaque from teeth to make brushing easier. Dental treats and special dental toys also work to massage gums and will satisfy your pet’s urge to chew on things. There are lots of options available on the market that provide a variety of treatments of dental care for pets. By taking a pro-active approach to in-home dental care for pets, you can provide a solid basis for good oral care at home, which will help to increase the health and longevity of your pet.
Special Products for Problem Areas
New Bedford pet owners can also purchase special products that are used to address problem areas, such as back teeth, which can be hard to reach, or plaque that just won’t seem to budge. Soft sponge pads help to apply dental cleansers in addition to the cleaning paste that you use with the soft brush each day. If plaque still won’t come off, you can visit your local veterinary clinic in Dartmouth to get a professional scaling to scrape off stubborn plaque and do a thorough cleaning below the gumline.
When it comes to canine dental care, choose quality treats, toys, and bones that will help to improve oral health. Providing a treat that also performs a service makes it even more beneficial to your pet. New Bedford pet owners should speak with their veterinarian about brands, products, and ingredients that would be most beneficial to their pet. Feline dental care can be a bit more difficult when it comes to the use of toys and treats, there are products on the market that you can try to use with your cat to augment basic brushing.
Visit Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth
To get started with quality dental care for pets, visit your local veterinarian at Anchor Animal Hospital. Our team can help you find solutions for an excess of plaque that is difficult to remove or bad breath in dogs and cats, as well as assist with appointments for professional veterinary dental cleanings. Give us a call at 508-996-3731 to schedule an appointment for canine dental care or feline dental care.