Keep your pets’ teeth in tip-top shape

February is pet dental month. We all see the promotions in the pet stores and reminders from the vet’s office. Dental health is not a one-month concern, it’s a year-round issue – but in February we are reminded just what our pets’ teeth mean to the state of their health.

Good dental health is a cornerstone of overall health. A clean mouth can mean that the pets microbiome is in good balance, which is a great thing. It also can mean that we are feeding our pet right.

Brushing is our main way of maintaining our dental health, but many pets don’t enjoy or allow us to brush their teeth, and they don’t have the thumbs to grip their own toothbrushes to do it themselves. But that doesn’t mean they can’t brush their own teeth.

There are many dental toys available, and they are much better than most dental treats. Any consumable dental item can contain chemicals, preservative and starches – some of which aren’t great for the digestion.

If your pet needs to consume something in order to chew it, there are plenty of natural treats that have great dental properties. Single-ingredient items, either fresh, frozen or dehydrated, are both therapeutic and nutritious. Duck feet, tracheas, tendons, yak cheese, bullies, collagen sticks, tripe and more – there are plenty of items that you can choose from. Finding one that will work for your pet is not hard, but make sure to remember any allergies or sensitivities, and choose items that are the right size and durability, so your pet doesn’t just give it a few chews and swallow.

There are many dental supplements that can be added to foods, as well as foods that are naturally good for dental health. One of the better natural supplements is based on Irish seaweed. It’s not an immediate treatment but, when used consistently over a few months, it helps create an oral environment that is conducive to healthy teeth and gums. There are also oral sprays and water additives that help, although, depending on the type of foods you use, your pet may not drink enough for a water additive to work.

If your pets do end up with dental issues, you need to seek veterinary help. There are sites that will show you how to scale teeth, but that is really a veterinary procedure and shouldn’t be done at home. There are many things that could go wrong and require veterinary intervention.

Post-dental-treatment, it is important to make sure the problem doesn’t recur. Figuring out what led to the issue isn’t that hard. Most of the time, simply removing high-carb, ultra-processed foods is a great start, and returning to fresh, clean foods using a good probiotic can prevent another expensive dental treatment (and, for older pets, the anesthesia used during dental treatment can present a dangerous issue).

Ensuring good dental health isn’t difficult. While it may mean added cost and effort, it usually reduces your costs overall and gives you a healthier pet.