Pet Dental Care: Brushing, Chews and Checks

How to Start Brushing

1. Pick a calm moment and let your pet lick a little pet toothpaste from your finger.
2. Touch the lips and teeth with your finger for a few seconds, then reward.
3. Introduce a finger brush or soft pet toothbrush, brushing the outer surfaces of a few teeth.
4. Build up slowly over days or weeks to all the outer surfaces, especially the back teeth.
5. Aim for daily, keeping sessions short and positive.

Use toothpaste made for pets, never human toothpaste, which can contain ingredients such as xylitol that are dangerous to pets. Puppies and kittens accept brushing most easily, but adult pets can learn too.

Chews, Diets and Toys

Dental chews, dental diets and some toys can help reduce plaque or tartar alongside brushing, not instead of it. In the US, the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) awards a seal to products shown to meet its standards, which is a useful guide. Choose chews sized for your pet, supervise, and count their calories in the daily total. Avoid very hard items such as bones, antlers and hard nylon, which can break teeth.

Vet Dental Checks

Many pets hide mouth pain and keep eating, so ask your vet to look at the teeth at every check-up. If your vet recommends a professional clean under anesthetic, ask what it involves and what it costs. Between visits, call your vet if you notice very bad breath, a broken tooth, drooling, pawing at the mouth or a change in how your pet eats.

Mouth pain, dental treatment or any medicines: see your vet or a pet supply store with trained staff. Dental problems need a vet, not home remedies.

Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

Rabbits' and guinea pigs' teeth grow continuously and are worn down by chewing. Rabbit welfare charities advise that good-quality hay or grass should make up most of the diet, available at all times. Ask your vet to check their teeth at every visit, and see a vet promptly if your pet eats less, drops food or drools.