The Essential Do’s and Don’ts for Natural Teeth Cleaning
Want to use natural methods for your dog or cat’s dental health? Our holistic guide will help you build a sustainable routine that works.
The Do’s
- Do feed a healthy diet
Diet is the key to your pet’s wellbeing, and that’s no different when we’re looking at their dental health. Plaque forms when bacteria in the mouth mixes with sugar or starch- for most pets this will be via the carbohydrates found in kibble and treats. While it will be a challenge to avoid carbohydrates entirely, keeping them to a minimum could make a significant improvement on plaque formation.
Many ‘budget’ and grocery channel pet foods have added sugar and chemicals to increase their palatability. If you’re brushing your pets teeth but still feeding a low-quality diet, you’ll be undoing all your hard work.
- Do offer a variety of chews
We all want to give our dogs their ‘favourite’ chew, but giving only a limited offering can be detrimental. Varying the durability, shape, and size of chew will ensure you’re targeting all the different teeth and not just hitting the same area each time.
- Do consider dental supplements
If you want some extra support, or if you have a pet you know is prone to dental issues, supplements can be a great option (breeds such as Toy Poodles, Greyhounds, and Spaniels are more susceptible). The more effort you put into prevention, the less likely your pet will suffer with dental problems in later life.
Powders such as the Proflax Plaque Patrol are simply added to the food for a super convenient boost to oral health.
- Do regular checks on teeth
Having a look in your pet’s mouth is good practice for keeping on top of their dental health. You’ll be able to spot any issues early on and prevent them from worsening.
The Don’ts
- Don’t overlook brushing
Daily brushing is ideal, but 2-3 times a week will still make a huge difference in keeping on top of oral health. Does brushing feel like an impossible task? Check out our Stress-Free Step-by-Step Guide.
- Don’t wait until symptoms show
Pets, especially cats, are very good at letting us know when they want food or affection, but rarely show when they are in pain. One of the first signs will be bad breath, so if your pet's mouth isn’t smelling fresh then it’s worth investigating.
- Don’t fall for ‘dental sticks’
There are massive variations in quality when it comes to dental sticks. Choose simple, quality ingredients that you can understand, and look out for added sugars (you’d be surprised how many products marketed for cleaning teeth contain sugar). The physical scraping of an abrasive chew against teeth is great for eliminating plaque, but if the chews themselves leave a sugary residue then you could be doing more harm than good.
Your Complete Holistic Routine
- Feed high-quality, low-carbohydrate diet with a variation of natural unprocessed chews
- Brush with a specialist pet toothpaste
- Supplement with plaque-busting powders or liquid
- Regularly check your pet’s teeth and gum
Why not get in touch with one of our expert consultants? Available in-store or through our online Consultation Service, we can advise between which diets or dental products will suit your pet.
Ready to give your routine a go? Shop our Dental range here.
