Americans love their pets. There are between 70 and 80 million dogs around the country and between 74 and 96 million cats. That translates into 37.2 American homeowners having dogs and about 32.4% with cats. We also take our health care for animals very seriously. From prescription diets to a regular teeth inspection,we take care of our pets like family.andnbsp;
7 Tips for Keeping Your Pets’ Teeth In Tip Top Shape:
- Get them annual dental check ups. All cats and dogs who are ten years old or younger should be taken to their veterinarian once a year for a check up. When you are having that done, have the vet do a routine teeth inspection on your pet. This is an important part of keeping them healthy. When your vet does the annual teeth inspection, they can check for problems and fix them before they get to be serious, just like when you go to the dentist.
- Brush their teeth. When your pets are still young, you can start training them to enjoy having their teeth brushed. There are different kinds of brushes and flavors of tooth pastes that are popular with cats and dogs. When you start them off as puppies and kittens they will get used to the process and even grow to enjoy it. The earlier you start with them, the easier it will be on all of you. You may want to try out a few different kinds of brushes for your pet to see what works best for you both.
- Buy pet food that is good for their teeth. If you cannot get your cat or dog used to teeth brushing enough to do it you can get special food that is designed to clean their teeth and gums. When your vet does their annual teeth inspection, ask if they have suggestions for food that can help promote your pet’s oral health.
- Get pet treats that clean your pet’s teeth. In addition to getting regular food that helps keep your pet’s teeth clean, there are dog and cat treats that control tartar or plaque build up on the animal’s teeth. If you do not know what kind of treats to get, check with your vet for suggestions.
- Do not give your pets animal bones. These are bad for a number of different reasons. They can splinter in the animal’s mouth and cause a host of problems with their digestion. They are also very bad for your pet’s tooth enamel. For dogs, you can give them rawhide from time to time. Ask your vet about other treats like these items that can be safe for your pet.
- Be careful about the toys you give your pets. Some toys are harsh on your pet’s tooth enamel so check wuth your vet about which ones are safe and even good for your pet’s teeth.
- Talk to your vet about annual dental cleanings. In addition to having a yearly teeth inspection, once your pet reaches the age of three, you should start having their teeth cleaned once a year. If you are concerned you can talk to the vet about anesthesia options. This is especially crucial if you think your animal will be scared and is often considered to be the only safe way to get your cat or dog the full dental cleaning complete with x-rays that they really do need every year. This is really only a problem for older animals as anesthesia always carries some risks for people and animals.
American pet owners spend millions of dollars every year on pet wellness exams, health care, special food and treats, toys and whatever else we think will make their lives better and more fun. People have even admitted that if they did not have enough money for their own food they would still find a way to get it for their pets. Given how we treat our furry and feathered friends like family, it is not surprising that we are interested in keeping their teeth healthy. More and more people are brushing their pet’s teeth than ever before and we see this as just as important part of their health care as their annual shots or flea treatments.