« January 2010 | Main | March 2010 »
In honour of Pet Dental Health Month we’ve put together some tips to help you brush your pet’s teeth. Did you know that proper dental care can increase a dog or cat’s life anywhere from 2-5 years? Dentists recommend you brush your pet’s teeth twice a day!
Brushing Tips & Techniques
Teaching a pet to accept daily dental care is surprisingly easy, especially if you start when they are a puppy or kitten. The key is to start slow and make the experience as pleasant as possible. Place a small amount of the liquid from a can of water-packed tuna on your finger and allow your pet to lick it off. Repeat this process, only this time, hold your pet’s mouth closed and stroke the outside surfaces of their teeth lightly.
Eventually, over a period of one or two weeks, you can substitute a piece of gauze, a finger toothbrush, or a small, soft toothbrush instead of your finger. Remember, unless your veterinarian directs you otherwise, you only need to clean the outside tooth surfaces. This reduces the chance of a painful bite! Once your dog or cat comfortably accepts the brushing process, you can replace the tuna water with a toothpaste that is designed specifically for pets.
Adding in Toothpaste
The most important aspect of tooth brushing is the mechanical action, but toothpastes can add helpful ingredients like fluoride, enzymes that help break down plaque and antiseptics that prevent bacterial growth. They are flavoured to please your pet’s palate too. Never use toothpaste designed for humans, as the ingredients may irritate your furry loved one’s mouth and cause an upset stomach.
Plaque begins to develop within hours after brushing. Within about three days, plaque is converted into tartar which is why dentists recommend daily brushing! Less frequent brushing is still beneficial, but may allow the gradual development of periodontitis. A daily brushing routine not only keeps your pet’s mouth healthy but also keeps his breath smelling fresh.
Professional Care
Most dogs and cats require professional dental cleanings and periodontal care periodically. If your veterinarian detects signs of gingivitis or tartar accumulation during the dental exam, he will recommend a professional cleaning in order to stop the progress of periodontal disease.
Your pet will receive anesthesia for the dental cleaning. All surfaces of the tooth will be carefully cleaned, even below the gum line. The teeth will be polished to discourage deposition of new plaque. Fluoride or other preventive treatments may be applied. Because your pet is asleep, their mouth can be inspected carefully for signs of additional problems. The professional cleaning is the only way to stop the progress of periodontal disease once tartar has formed.
Treats, Chews, and Other Products
A variety of products are marketed to help keep your pet’s teeth clean at home. These include dental care diets, plaque reducing treats and toys, and solutions that are applied to your pet’s mouth. Always be sure to check with your veterinarian prior to using any of these products on your furry loved one. In general, avoid very hard chews such as natural bone or cow hooves. Also, remember that although treats and chews may be of some benefit, there is no substitute for daily tooth brushing.
For more health related articles for your dogs and cats - check out Petsecure's pet healthipedia today!
Imagine - walking your dog and out of nowhere, an unleashed stray comes bolting down the street and attacks your precious four-legged friend. Now imagine this happening after your apartment has a hydro explosion and you’re forced to leave your home, with nothing but the clothes on your back, your cell phone and your pets in hand, forced to find somewhere to live for months until you’re allowed to return home.
That’s exactly what happened to Romelda Morson!
Romelda is a pet parent of two dogs, Impulse and Fynnegan, and an active community member who volunteers most of her time giving back to others. She is constantly seen fundraising for one cause or another, and after her apartment fiasco, she even formed a tenants association to ensure everyone in her building would be treated equally and fairly. This past Christmas, Romelda coordinated the annual delivery of 1,600 Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund Boxes to less fortunate kids in the Riverdale area of Toronto.
Romelda is someone who always tries to prepare and plan for the unexpected. One of the first things she did when she got Impulse was get pet health insurance. She knew things could happen that she couldn’t plan for - she thought it would be best to play it safe and have peace of mind knowing that if a major issue came up, it would be covered with pet insurance.
When Romelda submitted the claim to her pet insurance provider for Impulse’s ligament damage from the attack, you can imagine her surprise when they came back and told her that they would not cover the surgery. Even her veterinarian was stunned. Impulse was a healthy dog, with no major health issues or accidents up to this point. The pet insurance company went so far as to leave the information on her voicemail and explain to her how to cancel her policy. Romelda was left with a devastating bill for over $2,500 of veterinary treatment and care, without any help from her pet insurance provider. She had been a loyal customer for 9 years and suddenly felt abandoned not knowing what she was going to do.
Romelda is a caring, responsible pet parent, who had been through a lot and really needed a break. Having her pet insurance company not cover Impulse’s surgery was the last thing she needed to hear. Petsecure heard Romelda’s story (thanks to some great friends at Fetch & Pounce) and we instantly wanted to help her and her furry family. As pet parents ourselves, and as a company who is constantly looking at ways to give back to the pet community across Canada, Romelda touched our hearts. We used a fund we have available to help worthy pet causes to help with the $2,500 surgery.
We e-mailed Romelda to let her know that 2010 was beginning with a wonderful surprise! Petsecure would be more than happy to pay for Impulse’s surgery. This was her response:
“When I read the e-mail saying Petsecure would help me pay for Impulse’s surgery, I was shocked! I was in complete disbelief and had to read it over and over again. Things like this don’t happen often in our society, let alone happen to me. Petsecure has reinstated my faith in the ‘insurance’ company and I’m truly grateful for your company’s generosity and willingness to support Impulse. This has made a huge difference in our lives and has taken away a burden of not knowing how we would take care of this payment. When I called to cancel my policy from my previous pet insurance provider, I told them that even though I had never paid a nickel toward Petsecure, you had agreed to do what they would not. There was silence on the phone and I truly believe it had the desired effect. I feel like I have won the lottery…Or at least the jackpot at bingo night! Thanks Petsecure!”
Insurance companies have had bad reputations of treating people like numbers, and not doing the right thing. That’s how Romelda saw insurance companies and didn’t think one would step up. Some people even think that insurance companies simply don’t care about their clients. Petsecure on the other hand, does care and we want all of our members to feel secure knowing that in their time of need, and when they really need that extra help, they can rest assured that they will be…All taken care of!
Romelda is a Petsecure member now. She moved Impulse over after she completed her older pet test and has plans to get coverage for Fynnegan in the near future. Romelda’s story has helped us fulfill our goal - to ensure that pets across Canada enjoy longer, fuller and healthier lives, even if that means helping one pet parent at a time!
Dental disease is one of the most common preventable illnesses in pets, affecting more than 75% of dogs over the age of three. Infections of the teeth and gums can cause pain, loose teeth and even damage to the kidney and heart.
Common forms of dental disease
The most common form of dental disease is plaque build up, which is a soft mixture of bacteria, food and saliva under a dog’s teeth, especially near the gums. The plaque eventually hardens and becomes tartar, the second most common dental problem. Both irritate the tissue around the tooth and its root. This results in bad breath, bleeding, pain and possibly losing the tooth entirely.
Broken teeth are also common in dogs, especially with dogs that chew on hard objects such as rocks and bones. Injured or bleeding teeth require immediate veterinary care.
How to prevent
To prevent dental disease, brushing your dog’s teeth and providing plaque-reducing treats at home will help. Always check with your veterinarian before using these products and remember that treats alone will not substitute daily tooth brushing.
Your pets should also have annual dental check-ups with your veterinarian. If there is significant plaque and tartar accumulation, your veterinarian will probably recommend a dental cleaning for your dog. These preventive measures will keep your pet’s mouth healthy and free of bad breath and painful gums. It can also prevent dangerous oral infections, which can distribute bacteria to vital organs through your pet's bloodstream.
Check out Pet Healthipedia
For more information relating to other diseases, illness or accidents in your pet’s life, visit Petsecure’s Pet Healthipedia for hundreds of articles, videos and breed profiles.
Subscribe by email
