When a pet is small and you have heaps of excitement about its charm and playfulness, all you can think about is cuddling, lying on the couch together, and kissing. And it seems like just buying a baby is enough to make it smell like spring air. But over time you begin to notice that kisses are no longer so pleasant because of the specific odor that comes from the mouth of the Favorite. Having read scary stories on the Internet, you promise yourself that now you will definitely brush your dog’s teeth, buy a brush, toothpaste for animals, study the technique, but…. Your Tail is clearly not happy about it, he doesn’t understand why you’re messing with him with a scary brush, and makes every effort to prevent you from getting to his precious teeth. Simply put, the dog won’t let you brush his teeth.
What to do now? How to deal with the problem, if your pet is against brushing teeth and even shows aggression to you? There is no easy and unambiguous answer, but in this article you will find alternatives to brushing with toothpaste and toothbrush, which can be tried alternately or combined for the best effect.
- Try a “dental” food. Almost every manufacturer should have a food that focuses on tartar prevention. It works by using a special pellet texture that mechanically cleans the teeth while eating. Also, such a feed usually has a different composition: it contains substances that reduce the acidity of saliva and prevent the formation of plaque.
- Reduce the amount of soft food or add dry food and hard treats to the diet. Wet foods, pates, and canned foods are convenient and tasty ways for your dog to eat, but they are the ones that most actively promote plaque formation. Pet’s jaw has to work, because nature has thought of everything and provided a simple way to mechanically clean the teeth.
- Buy several types of “dental” goodies so that the Pet can choose something to his liking. In addition to the classic bones, there are treats in the form of sticks, rings, there are also treated wooden sticks, deer antlers in different variations. They can act like the food mentioned above, and more narrowly directed with a special composition to directly fight plaque.
- In the case of a love of chewing, choose a tooth brushing toy from the pet store. Some of them also have holes for tasty treats to more actively interest the Pet. In this way, you can mechanically clean the teeth from plaque, massage the gums to prevent disease, relieve stress, develop intelligence and have a good playtime.
- There are also oral gels that do not need to be rinsed off or forcefully rubbed in. Pets are happy to lick them off your finger. The active ingredients in the composition help fight bacteria, soothe the gums and improve breath odor. This is quite simple and effective if your Pet is “allergic” to brushing.
- You can try using oral wipes instead of a toothbrush. They are not panic-inducing and do not have harsh elements that can frighten your Pet. It is enough to put the wipe on your finger and wipe the teeth without pressure. If you do this regularly, you can achieve a noticeable effect, especially in combination with other methods.
- As an additional remedy, you can use a water additive that aims to eliminate unpleasant odor. Just add the recommended dose to the water, and that’s it. We recommend that you choose such a product responsibly and buy it only in certified stores or pharmacies.
- If you already have tartar on your teeth, none of the above methods will help you deal with the problem. In this case, you will need to see a veterinarian for an ultrasonic teeth cleaning. The doctor will not only remove the external calculus, but will also thoroughly work the area where the gums meet the teeth, notice any diseases, and treat or extract the teeth if necessary. Of course, all these actions should be carried out in a calm state, so the doctor can not do without anesthesia. We understand that anesthesia is a scary thing for many people, but a qualified anesthesiologist and a thorough examination before cleaning will minimize any risks. As a result, your pet will have white and healthy teeth.
- We think you still have a question: what about ultrasonic cleaning in grooming salons? It does exist, and it is performed by groomers without anesthesia, but there are many nuances to consider. In the network V.O.G DOG SALON ultrasonic cleaning service is provided only if the Pet is young, healthy, does not show aggression and feels well during the procedure. Therefore, if any of these points is not about your pet – we advise you not to risk and contact a veterinarian.
As you can see, dental care can be different, but extremely important for the health of the pet. The main thing is not to ignore the problem. Stone, bad odor, oral diseases can greatly affect the body function, mood and activity of the animal, so it is better to immediately pay attention to brushing teeth from childhood. Introduce the procedure gradually, add an element of play and reward, do not forget about the regularity and preventive examinations at the veterinarian. And everything will be fine!
