Okay, that’s not the whole story, but I’ll bet I got your attention. Sure, rotten teeth eventually fall out. But it’s while they’re still in your pet’s mouth that you need to be concerned. Pets need their teeth cleaned just like us. Imagine how gross your mouth would feel if you went a whole week without brushing.  Ack, right? Well, think about pets who go their whole lives with no teeth cleaning!  Eww!  Not only is it gross, but it’s totally dangerous to the rest of their body. Dirty teeth become rotten teeth. Rotten teeth infect the gums. Infection from the gums spreads into the blood stream, then into the pet’s kidneys, liver, and other organs. The organs struggle to keep working, but eventually they are damaged by the infection from the pet’s mouth. When the organs finally fail, the pet dies. Now you see the importance of clean teeth and healthy mouth? Brush your pet’s teeth and save her life ~ literally.

Okay, How Do I Begin?

I know it’s tough to carve out time in your already hectic day to brush Fido’s teeth, every day after day no less. You already dread it, don’t you. Let’s make it easy then. First step–whenever you find little moments and you’re sitting around snuggling with Fluffy, massage her gums at the same time. See–no extra time needed. Massage very lightly, ok, don’t get all invasive on her like the bathroom scene with Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in 21 Jump Street. At this point, you’re just getting her used to your fingers in her mouth, like it’s no big deal. I introduce my kitties and pups to gum massage by hand-feeding them cat kibble one piece at a time. They love being hand-fed so, when i start checking out their gums, they’re pretty much okay with it. Massage her gums lightly and very briefly, then stop, before she has a chance to object. Go on your merry way like it was no big deal. [TIP: Knowing when to ignore your pet is a tremendously effective training and handling tool ~ more on that later.] By making gum massage part of snuggle time and creating a positive experience instead of a dreaded chore, she’ll come to associate it with pleasure. Keep this tip in your memory bank.

Baby Steps … You’re Getting There

Once you’ve got your pet feeling okay about having her teeth and gums handled, you can introduce a toothbrush or rubber thumb. I prefer the rubber thumb because it’s similar to your finger and seems less foreign to the pet. Before you go shoving them in her mouth, tho, let her sniff them and get familiar, even batting them around like toys. Remember, baby steps. Use the brush to massage her teeth without paste for the first few times. Once she’s comfortable with the toothbrush or rubber thumb, then try adding a tiny dab of flavored pet toothpaste. She may not be sold right away–don’t force it. Never force it. But definitely keep the massaging in your routine and eventually try adding toothpaste again. You’ll get there eventually.

Here is a really good pet toothpaste I like to recommend for you. It’s popular because it’s made in the USA, it’s safe, pets like it, and it works!

In the meantime, stimulating her gums is a good thing. If, however, you have a pet who just refuses to warm up to a toothbrush, no worries. There are options. There are some great dental washes for pets that you put in their drinking water. Can’t get any easier than that!  Here’s a good one. Completely odorless/tasteless so your pet won’t detect it and get all fussy. It’s made in the USA and completely safe for your pet.

I also found this product below that you spray right onto their teeth and gums and, as the pet licks his lips and sloshes it around, it begins to reduce plaque and heal his mouth. It’s all organic, no chemicals to create allergies or inflammation, and makes your pet’s breath very fresh and sweet so you just want to get all up in his face and snuggle with him!  🙂  Give it a try!

It’s NEVER Too Late.

Ideally, you want to start your pet’s dental care when she’s a puppy or kitten. If she’s older, tho, no worries. Always better late than never at all. Just remind yourself how important dental care is to her overall health.

Bottom line is you may have to try a few approaches to your pet’s dental care before you find the one your pet responds to, and that’s ok, because there are many products of all kinds out there to choose from. One of them will work for you. As long as you’re patient and consistent, you’ll get there. Just keep your eye on the prize–longterm good health and protection for your beloved furbaby.

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.  Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.