You & Your
Pet
BRUSH STROKES Minty fresh… that’s what we
Some signs of dental issues within
want to be saying when our
dogs are discolouration of the teeth,
furry friends come in for a kiss!
red or swollen gums, fractured or missing teeth and bad breath. If
Let’s talk about pet dental
your dog has any of these symptoms
hygiene, or lack of, with only two
it might be time to contact your
per cent of dog owners actually
local vet for some advice, they can
brushing their dog’s teeth. The
also perform a professional clean
thought of cleaning your pet’s
where they will assess your dog’s
teeth can be a little daunting.
teeth, removing plaque, tarter or
Where do I even start? What
any irreversible damage which
tools do I use? And possibly most
will result in a much happier and
importantly: will my pet allow
healthier dog.
me to get deep inside its mouth? These questions pass through most pets owners minds but with a little help, it’s not as bad as it seems.
Cats are another family favourite that also need their teeth looked after. Like dogs, it is a lot easier to introduce dental hygiene into their lives at a young age following a similar process.
All you need are the right tools and a little patience. The best time to introduce brushing is when your dog is a pup, this
If you have a rabbit, unlike both cats and dogs they do not
is the easiest stage to make it part of their daily routine but
need a toothbrush or paste to keep their teeth healthy.
of course, not everyone has a young pup. A lot of older dogs
Making sure they eat a well-balanced diet full of nutrition will
have gone through their lives not having their teeth cleaned
avoid rabbits running into dental issues.
so introducing something new into their routine may need a little time.
Once a rabbit has lost its baby teeth, in theory, the teeth that follow should last them a lifetime.
PetPlace has a selection of different products to make the process of brushing their teeth run smoothly. To make your
If you have any concerns about your pets oral hygiene, call
pet feel safe and comfortable, brushing in an area of the home
your local vet for some advice and get your furry family
where they feel safe will make it easier for both you and your
member booked in for a check-up. If you need any advice on
pet. Why not have their favourite toy or blanket on hand, this
dental products, be sure to contact any of our stores and chat
should reassure them.
with a member of our team. n
Always use a toothpaste that has been made specifically for dogs, human toothpaste can be highly toxic if your dog ingests it. Make your dog aware of the tools you are going to be using by allowing them to see and taste, this way it won’t feel threatening when it comes to brushing. Not every dog will take to having their teeth brushed, this doesn’t mean your dog won’t have a big bright smile, dental chews are another way to get that mouth clean. Although they won’t have the exact same effect as a toothbrush, they can still help to maintain a healthy mouth. Dental chews can also be
Ashlee is the Social Media and Marketing Assistant at petplace. Animal obsessed, she has a fondness for all living things and the environment using her creativity to build awareness. If you follow petplace on social media you will no doubt have interacted with Ashlee, she loves engaging with their customers and, most importantly, seeing all your wonderful pets.
used alongside a doggie toothbrush for that extra clean.
NWM 2022 Page 15
